HP Photosmart Plus Wireless All-in-One Printer (CD035A#ABA)

 (188 customer reviews)

Contrary to other reports here this printer was very easy to set up and start using. I am a Mac user and installed it very easily before I upgraded to Snow Leopard. Of course, everyone's computer is set up differently and will react differently to installed hardware, but I found that if I followed the easy setup instructions then setup was a breeze. In fact, I probably didn't even need to use the HP software because when I plugged the printer into my iMac running Leopard 10.5.8, OS X picked it up immediately and set it up for me -- scanner and all. What's more, I have two Windows PC-based laptops and they both saw and installed the printer wirelessly in a snap.

All-in-all, I was very surprised just how easy the printer was to set up. I was anticipating it to be more difficult than HP claimed. One hint to easy setup is to hook it up to your computer by USB first. Then, set up the wireless features via your desktop. Later you can disconnect it and use it exclusively wireless.

HP has two different 564 black ink cartridges. They do not tell you this and the retailer won't know about it either. The "photo" ink, as opposed to the regular "document" ink, are the differences. This is a "Photosmart" printer right? The "photo" black ink cartridge will not fit in it; it is too narrow. So there is 564 photo and regular 564 inks. Only the latter is compatible with the Photosmart Plus. Don't buy the photo bonus pack with printer because it will come with a black cartridge that is not compatible.

*** 02/26/11 Update ***
The scanner on this printer went kaput after about six months of extremely light use. Ink consumption is horrid. You either have to use the ink quickly and replace or it will evaporate on you. Either way, look to replace ink QUITE FREQUENTLY. I was hoping it would be better than the junk HP C6380 printer it replaced, but it wasn't. After having three HP printers go south on me in two years (yes, one of the other printers initially praised below went south as well), I've decided to switch brands. While the HPs were dropping like flies, I had an Epson Workforce 600 quietly working away like a good little soldier. No muss, no fuss, no problems. No weird scanning or ink system errors, just consistent reliable performance. I recently purchased an Epson 633 to replace the other HP. I will be buying Epson from now on (unless their reliability plummets, like HP). Good job HP. After over a decade of brand loyalty, you've blown it with this...Read more