November 17, 2008

HP Photosmart B8550 Photo Printer Sets its Sights on Creative Types

By Kara Hiltz

Printer News: HP Photosmart B8550 Produces Larger-Than-Life Photo Prints With Laser Quality

Artists don't like to sacrifice their vision just because technology can't fulfill it. The HP Photosmart B8550 helps you realize your creative ideals by printing larger sizes and employing a pigmented 5-ink printing system.

Specifically, it can handle photos up to 13x19 inches, along with 12x12-inch scrapbook pages and 11x17-inch calendars. You can also send data to the printer through the most direct routes, including memory card slots and PictBridge. And HP didn't skimp on speed — the Photosmart B8550 prints monochrome documents at 33 pages per minute, and photos in as little as 18 seconds.

The HP Photosmart B8550 contains five inks in separate cartridges to reduce waste. The pigmented ink (versus the dye inks you usually find in an inkjet printer) reportedly keeps your prints crisp even as they age, which means your art will have a fighting chance of standing the test of time.

Summary

Inkjet photo printer best for photo enthusiasts and scrapbookers

MSRP: $299

Manufacturer

Press Release

HP Debuts Solutions to Accelerate Growing Digital Photo and Publishing Marketplace

Product Page

HP Photosmart B8550

Supplies

Ink Cartridges

HP #564 (Black), HP #564 (Photo Black), HP #564 (Yellow), HP #564 (Cyan), HP #564 (Magenta), HP #564XL (High-Yield Black), HP #564XL (High-Yield Photo Black), HP #564 (High-Yield Yellow), HP #564 (High-Yield Cyan), HP #564XL (High-Yield Magenta)

Specs that matter

Release Date:	September 23, 2008
Notable Features:	Large format prints, 2.4-inch color display, auto-engaging photo paper tray, multiple memory card slots, pigmented 5-ink printing system, HP Smart Web Printing for printing Web pages
Green Features:	High-capacity ink cartridges available, HP Auto Sense technology reduces ink and paper waste, HP Planet Partners recycling program
Pages Per Minute:	33 (b/w); 31 (color)
Seconds Per Photo:	18
Paper Trays:	2
Paper Capacity:	120
Interface:	USB 2.0, PictBridge, Memory Card Slots
Compatibility:	Windows, Macintosh
Dimensions:	22.8 x 15.3 x 7.1 inches
Weight:	16.7 pounds
Warranty:	1 year

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