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Not too very long ago I heard someone in the PC industry state that no home user need spend more than $200.00 for a respectable all purpose ink jet printer. With current prices dipping as low as $50.00, ink jets are now amazing values compared to what they were just a few years ago. Competition among various makers has hit a fevered pitch. Even with all of the bargains and sales, for a serious solid printer that can handle text and photographs with equal aplomb, you are still looking at the $150.00 to $175.00 neighborhood. While the absolute bottom prices will still net you a decent printer, if you want real world quality, $150.00 is the real arena where performance, quality and value converge.
One printer that truly stands out is the HP 5650. Coming in at a relatively modest $149.99, this unit has the looks, the abilities and the performance that most home users and small business owners may be looking for in an ink jet printer. If nothing else, the outward appearance is sleek, stylish and in keeping with the current line of HP desktop systems.
In some respects the exterior resembles certain aspects of the Epson Stylus Photo 960. This is particularly apparent regarding the translucent plastic covering that conceals the ink jet cartridges and inner workings of the printer. The curving lines and overall streamlined look give it a decidedly more upscale sophisticated demeanor than other printers from HP. The Deskjet 5650 is not a utilitarian looking peripheral. The ambiance it has is that of a stylish office accessory. While HP has always been a respected and respectable manufacturer of printers, they were never particularly known for their visual appeal. In this go around, HP is clearly making printers that appeal to the senses, and this time they have achieved the right balance between looks and function.
The only real downside to the design, and this depends on how you view it, is the non-retractable paper tray. In versions like the HP Deskjet 920c, the paper tray can be folded to snuggly fit the body of the printer. The HP 5650 paper holder is always in the open position. While this is admittedly a minor issue, it is something to consider if you are working in a small space, or have need to move things around. Another feature of interest is the fact that you can regulate the quality of a print job on the printer itself. Because most printer “tweaks” take place in software, I do question how valuable this feature really is. While nice, I see it as more an ease of use function that may not get much use from those familiar with PC and Mac software. Incidentally, the HP 5650 can work with both Macs and Windows systems. Included are drivers that work with both OSs. So if you work in a multi format environment, the HP plays both sides of the street.
While on the subject of software, HP does include an interesting bundle with this one. Again, depending on your needs and familiarity with Windows and imaging software, these added extras can be a blessing or a curse. In this case those extras include HP Memories, an organization program and burning program, HP Photoimaging 2, an image editing program and the Printer Assistant. Depending on your needs and experience level, these applications can be an added plus, or just more software taking up hard drive space. Extra applications like this have been a standard with many HP peripherals. My current scanner and ink jet from HP came with comparable software bundles.
The HP Photoimaging software is alright, but basic. I would have rather seen Paint Shop Photo Album 4 and/or Paint Shop Pro 8 offered rather than this anemic program. For newbies this may be OK, but I really think that this program could benefit from an overhaul. I felt the same way about the bundled HP memories. With both programs occupying as much as 73 Megs, and more, on the hard drive, you may want to rethink these applications living on your hard drive.
For newbies, they may have some benefit. But gain, I think bundling Ulead or Jasc products would have been better. While I am not sure who started the idea that software packages must include everything, take for example the expansion of Roxio Easy CD and DVD Creator 6 and Nero Burning Rom 6, the idea of including more and more with packages has taken a firm foothold. I have nothing against that type of inclusiveness. It can be a real asset to the new user. The only problem is that during the install, you cannot install the basic drivers without installing everything.
The installation of the printer software is easy enough. That just takes a few steps. The enclosed map for the most part walks you through the process. The only real big omission is that after you place the ink cartridges in their respective holders, the printer immediately prints a test page. No mention of this is made in the step by step setup. No note is made of the fact that the install from CD-ROM simply dumps the drivers and other bundled software on your hard drive automatically. Removing them is relatively easy. But, it would have been nice to have some control over the process.
Now the next issue with any printer is the cost of ink. The HP 5650 has an interesting system. If you wish to print with full six colors you must use the 57 cartridge, which sells for about $34.99 with the 58 cartridge which goes for $24.99 in order to obtain rich full color. If your printing needs do not require this, you can opt for the 57, which you must use regardless of configurations, with the more price point aware 56 which you can take home for about $19.99. This is not too far off the mark for ink jet cartridges. Unlike some units where you can purchase each color separately, you must purchase your six colors as a set of two. On the positive side, HP has offered a price cutting feature that takes into consideration needs that are not dependent on full color.
As is standard with printers, the system comes with software, power cords, the 57 and 58 ink cartridges and instruction book. What you do not get is a USB cable, or standard printer cable. The HP 5650 utilizes both the standard printer ports as well as USB 2. It does however work perfectly fine with USB 1.x ports.
What has surprised me is the brevity of the instruction booklet. Weighing in at a modest 14 pages, with half in French, there is little here except the most obvious. Certainly this cuts printing costs, but there are times when it would be nice to have something a bit more comprehensive. If you are confused about loading envelopes, or have a question about the system, you are directed to the software assistant. While electronic documentation is OK, there are just times when you need the book. Overlooking that shortcoming, the instruction map, which is a large poster-like step by step guide, is easy enough to follow. But for more details, you have to use electronic documentation.
Considering all of these comments, the real deal breaker is quality. Can the HP 5650 handle photo imaging needs and print clear crisp text? The answer is affirmative. The print quality on ordinary paper is equal to that of a good laser printer. As hard as it maybe to believe, there are no blurry edges, pixilation or distortion on normal paper. In fact, the color crispness of full color on ordinary paper is exceptionally clean. While it is hard to relate that quality on the Web, in person the quality is nothing short of amazing. If you are keeping your LaserJet because of text printing on plain paper, the HP 5650 is an excellent alternative. On the subject of print quality, there are no complaints about the performance. The unit is quiet and relatively fast even printing at full strength. So there are no slowdown times printing, and the quality, be it normal paper or specially designed higher priced photo paper, the results are letter perfect. I was totally amazed at how well text and imaging came out. It is nothing short of amazing.
Below are some basic stats on the system.
The HP 5650 can print borderless prints:
And there is more:
Taking into consideration looks, performance and price, the HP 5650 has the goods. My major complaints have less to do with the printer itself, but more with certain practices that have been standard across the industry. I don’t think it is too much to ask for USB cables, a more comprehensive instructional manual, and just maybe more reasonably priced inks. As is the case with any ink jet printer, they do consume cartridges much faster than your standard laser printer which can go for months on end on toner.
Aside from minor grievances, the HP 5650 has a great deal to recommend it. Loading paper is easy, the unit is quiet, fast and the quality is without question. There are so many positives with the actual function of the unit, that it offers a great deal more than others I have seen costing more.
The big differences in price and ink jet printers comes down to speed and volume. If your printing needs are great, then purchasing a more expensive printer makes solid sense. But there is a point for most home users where going beyond a certain point is not going to get you a better printer. By the same token, I have yet to see a bargain printer come close to the ease, function, speed and looks of the HP 5650. While you can shop for less expensive printers, you may be saving a few dollars, but losing important print quality.
As an all around performer for home users and small business, the HP 5650 is an excellent offering that should fit the needs of the more demanding home user. HP has kept their reputation intact with this printer.
Again, my only problems stem from industry wide practices. No matter what printer you buy, you will run into some of the issues I outlined here. On the plus side, HP has produced an ink jet that delivers the goods.
Talk to Kurt in Graphics Unleashed Forums
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