The HP PSC 1610 All-in-One (AIO) is one of the better AIO’s I have had that is capable of printing at reasonable speeds and has quality text print. The other AIO I own is the Dell Printer A940 (Personal All-in-One). The biggest difference between the two is that the Dell A940 has built-in fax capabilities, where the HP does not. However, the HP does allow you to scan to a fax program on your computer. The best part of the HP AIO is that it allows you to scan, copy, and print. You can also use SD cards and other cards from cameras to upload photos to your computer. The Dell AIO does not allow for this option. "See my review of the Dell A940 Inkjet Multifunction Printer."

In The Box
HP PSC 1610 All-in-One (AIO), easy-to-follow setup guide, the AIO user guide, power cord and adapter, free paper samples for printing, Windows and Macintosh CD's, black and tricolor print cartridges.

Not In the Box
Not included in the purchase of this AIO is the USB cable. When you purchase this AIO, you will need to purchase a USB cable to connect the AIO to your computer. I recommend you purchase at least a six-foot length cable, to accommodate for the placement of your AIO.

Installation and Setup

The installation and physical setup of the HP AIO is very simple. Using the enclosed easy-to-follow setup guide, you will be able to setup your AIO, install to your computer, and install all necessary software from the CD. The AIO performs automatic alignment when first powered on. The Dell AIO does not provide this option. The AIO connects to your computer with the use of a USB cable. The USB cable is an enhanced upgrade from the former serial cable that was used for older printers. The USB cable provides fast speeds to and from the computer. The print cartridges are much cheaper than the cartridges for the Dell AIO. You can only purchase the Dell cartridges through Dell. The HP cartridges are commonly found in local retail stores or almost anywhere on the Internet. Be sure to buy OEM cartridges and not the refill-type cartridges. Using the refill cartridges can cause the print heads to clog.

The Software

The HP PSC 1610 AIO can be installed on both a Windows or Macintosh computer. Software is included in the box for either choice. The software is very easy to use, with ‘Help’ online either through connections to the HP Internet site or within the program. The software installs the following on your computer: HP Director, HP Document Viewer, HP Image Zone Tour, HP Product Assistant, HP Software Update, Image Zone, System Diagnostics, Image Transfer, Product Registration, Product Support Website link, and the uninstall shortcut.

The HP Image Zone tour is an interactive way to get a brief overview of the software included with your HP device. You will learn how HP Image Zone can help you with your digital photography needs: printing, organizing, and editing your photos. You will also get some great creative project ideas and see how easy sharing your photos can be, all in less than three minutes.

The HP Director provides easy access to the software applications, default settings, status, and onscreen Help installed specifically for your HP device. By using the HP Director, you can scan various types of originals (pictures, documents, and slides), transfer images from a camera or photo memory card, send faxes, make copies, view and print images or video clips, go to the HP Shopping website, and update your HP software.

The HP Print software provides various print options for still images and video clips. For still images, you can print quick standard-size or full-page photos, print several copies of different photo sizes, and print a proof sheet of selected images (including video clips). For video clips, you can print a group of selected frames.

Using your HP device, you can do the following:
- Produce high-quality color and black-and-white copies using a variety of paper types
- Reduce or enlarge the size of the copies
- Lighten or darken the copies
- Specify the quality of the copies
- Select the number of copies
- Produce iron-on transfers and photos

Using the HP Scanning software, you can scan items such as pictures and documents, and then save them or send them to a destination of your choice. The software gives you the option of previewing images before the final scan takes place. While previewing, you can adjust the image to achieve the final effect that you want. The software also allows you to configure scan settings.

Digital images that are created and stored on digital imaging devices such as digital cameras and memory cards, can be transferred to your computer for printing or sharing with the HP Image Zone Transfer software. The HP Image Zone provides tools for managing your still photos, scanned images, and video clips. You can easily edit and print your images, use them in various projects, and share them with family and friends.

The HP Document Viewer is a program that allows you to easily organize your scanned documents (JPEG and TIFF), annotate them with text and graphics, print them, convert them to text, and e-mail or fax them. You can also display and print Word, text, and PDF files.

HP provides several resources to help you troubleshoot and solve problems with your HP device. You can select "Check for updates" on the HP Director window to be sure your software is updated. You can access topics for troubleshooting the software by selecting System Diagnostics in the HP program group. You can also get support from the Internet by visiting the HP website or by clicking on the Product Support Website link in the HP program group. Additional help is also available with the HP Product Assistant. The HP Product Assistant is an easy-to-use tool that can help you troubleshoot a wide range of problems. The HP Product Assistant automatically appears when a problem arises and guides you step-by-step through the available solutions.

The Control Panel

Several features are available on the top of the AIO, also known as the Control Panel. Here are the control panel features:
1. Control panel display: View menus, photo filenames, and messages. The control panel display can be pulled up and angled for better viewing.
2. On: Turn the HP All-in-One on or off.
3. Setup: Access the menu system for reports, maintenance, and help.
4. Left arrow: Decrease values, or go back when viewing file names on the control panel display.
5. OK: Select a menu, setting, or value displayed on the control panel display.
6. Photo Menu: Select photos to print, copy photos, change the image size, change paper size and type, change layout, or adjust your photos.
7. Select Photos: Select photos to print from a memory card.
8. Print Photos: Print selected photos from a memory card.
9. Scan To: Select a scan destination.
10. Copy Menu: Select copy options, such as number of copies, paper size, and paper type.
11. Reduce/Enlarge: Reduce or enlarge an original to the specific size of the paper loaded in the paper tray.
12. Start Copy Black: Start a black copy job.
13. Start Copy Color: Start a color copy job.
14. No. of Copies: Specify the desired number of copies.
15. Start Scan: Start a scan job and send it to the destination you selected using the Scan To button.
16. Proof Sheet: Print a proof sheet when a memory card has been inserted in a memory card slot. A proof sheet shows thumbnail views of all the photos on the memory card. You can select photos on the proof sheet, then print those photos by scanning the proof sheet.
17. Right arrow: Increase values, or go forward when viewing file names on the control panel display.
18. Cancel: Stop a job, exit a menu, or exit settings.

Performance
I do not have the exact speed measurements for either the HP or Dell, but can only say that with my experience of the two, the print, copy, and scan speeds of the HP is much faster than the Dell. You will be pleased with the speed of the HP AIO. Output quality is very good for any of the options, as long as you have a good cartridge loaded into the AIO. My experience with the text output was within quality specs for typical printer output. The graphics and photo quality is at the high end, above quality output.

If you are looking for an automatic document feed (ADF) option on the HP PSC 1610, it is not included. This is the only negative I have with the AIO. I was not looking for fax capabilities when I purchased this AIO, especially since I do rarely fax documents. This AIO does not allow for automatic fax, only through scanning of a document and sending through the software as an option.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 75.00
Operating System: Windows and Macintosh