Many people seem to be hesitant to jump on the do-it-yourself photo printing band wagon. This is understandable since the previous generation of printers did photos of a quality that some might consider...'doggie poo'? Although it's still generally cheaper to outsource your photos and photo-lab quality photos seem to be just out of reach for desktop printers, companies such as Hewlett Packard, Epson, and Canon are beginning to make names for themselves in the digital photo industry. One such printer, the HP Photosmart 8250 is one printer that has brought many to conclude: "So long Wal-Mart! Hello convenience!" Here's why:

While the 8250 is designed to do photos, it functions as a regular document printer as well. Unfortunately, there are no scan, copy, or fax features on this machine, which really would have been nice for the price that is being asked for this printer. However, the photos printed out are very clear and true-to-life in color, making this machine fantastic for the household that already has scan and copy capabilities, but is looking for a photo printer.

Photo capabilities:
Prints 4x6, 4x12 (panorama), 5x7, 8.5x11, 8x24 (panorama) photos. You can also, by hitting the "Layout" button on the printer, print wallet sizes on photo paper, placing up to 9 different pictures on one sheet. The printer has memory card slots that accept CompactFlash, Secure Digital/ Multimedia Card, Memory Stick, and Memory Stick PRO, and a USB PictBridge port (1), which enable you to print photos with your computer turned on or off. If your digital camera does not accept these memory cards, there is also a PictBridge port on the front of the printer.

The printer has editing abilities such as automatic or manual red-eye removal, crop and zoom, or view and print video scenes shot with a digital camera. There is an on-screen menu that gives you options such as print quality, color/black and white/antique/sepia, contrast, sharpness, print on stickers, labels, do passport photos, and a few others. Photos with Vivera inks come out fade resistant (100 years), water resistant, and smudge resistant. They are rich in color and the clarity is extremely close to photo-lab quality. Not bad at all for a deskjet printer.

Internal Technologies:
This printer uses a six ink printing system, using six individual cartridges, as many of the new photo printers do. At first this may scare people away from buying such printers for fear of cost of ink, however, having the six individual cartridges allows you to replace only the cartridge you run out of instead of all six every time you run out of one color (Colors are black, yellow, cyan, light cyan, magenta, and light magenta). Individually the color cartridges are about $10.59 (for about 5ml) and the black is around 17.99 (10ml or high capacity 21ml), all Vivera inks 02 series (HP's latest ink technology). HP makes a Photo-Pak that includes all 6 regular size cartridges and 150 sheets of Premium grade photo paper for $36.99, which brings the cost of photos down to about 24 cents and most places that carry HP ink will have these packs in stock.

This printer also uses HP's new scalable printing technology for faster and higher quality printing. Hp claims photos in 14 seconds, but about 25 is more like it (in normal mode). Another nice thing about this printer is its ink efficiency. Ink overrun is redirected back into the cartridges so that it isn't wasted. Another welcome feature to this printer is the fact that it cleans its own printheads. Doing this will keep your photo quality consistent without having to take it in to have the printheads cleaned. Occasionally when you turn the printer on, a screen prompt will come on that says "self service device occurring: don't interrupt". This is the built in HP Auto Sense which makes sure all printheads are clean and ready for optimal performance and shouldn't take more than a minute or two.

Exterior:
Dimensions and weight (w/d/h) 17.59/15.16/6.28 18.7lbs. Has a 100-sheet input tray and a separate photo tray for 4x6's (up to 20). It has individual cancel, print, power, zoom, menu, select photo, rotate, instant share, view next photo, and photo layout buttons on front of printer for easy access to print modes and on-screen photo editing.

Regular Printing:
Does 32ppm black and 31ppm color in draft mode using thermal inkjet technology. Text quality is pretty good, but kind of low for an inkjet. Not low enough to not recommend the printer though. Printable media includes: paper (plain, photo, inkjet), envelopes, transparencies, labels, cards (index, greeting), iron-on transfers/Letter legal executive, 3x5, 4x6, 5x7, 8x10 inch No. 10 envelopes.

Reliability/ Tech Support:
PC magazine placed Canon and HP as the two most reliable photo printers, even naming this HP 8250 as the Editor's Choice (July 26, 2005). HP support, found at hp.com, will usually answer e-mails within 1 hour and has 24/7/365 phone support, but likely you'll still get someone in India. PC mag says only 2% of HP printers will not work when you take it home. Canon and Epson came in a close 2nd with 3%.

Other:
Wireless Capability: Bluetooth compatible
Recommended monthly page volume:3000
Print Resolution (Best): up to 4800x1200
Operating Systems: Windows 98, ME, 2000 Pro, XP Home, XP Pro; Mac OS Xv10.2 and higher.
Automatic two-side printing optional with purchased-separately accessory.

Included In The Box:
HP 8250 printer, all six completely full normal sized ink cartridges, HP Image Zone Photo and Imaging Software on CD-ROM, Quick Start booklet, User's Guide, Power supply and power cord.

Warranty: 1 year limited hardware warranty.

What I like about this printer:
The photos are great and the machine is easy to operate. Cost of photos is low enough to offer a solution to the hassle of leaving the house to get your photos done.

What I do not like:
I do not like the idea of a seperate 4x6 photo tray. In order to print from the tray you have to make sure the 'photo tray' button on the printer is selected (it lights up). For a while I kept forgetting to do this, but some people may not mind the temporary forgetting-to-push-the-button problem. Also, the main paper tray only holds 100 sheets of paper. To those who do a lot of regular printing, you may find yourself adding paper a little too often. Thank you for reading my review and I hope it provided the info you need in making your selection.

*UPDATE* February 6, 2007
This printer has been replaced by the new line of HP Photosmart printers. The new models that are similar to this printer are the D7160 and the D7360.

Read My Other Reviews on Photo Printer at These Links:

HP 2575: Best Budget All-in-One For Digital Photos
http://www.epinions.com/content_220347010692

HP 3210: The Master All-in-One For Digital Photos
http://www.epinions.com/content_226013515396

HP 335: Small, Portable, and Affordable Photo Printer:
http://www.epinions.com/content_223361011332

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 199
Operating System: Windows and Macintosh