HP Photosmart A516 

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HP Photosmart A516 Photo Printer
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This however it a totally new review of the HP PhotoSmart A516 and I only cribbed my original article after I had researched the bulk of the article, so while it is partly the same the actual review was totally new.

This is really small at 21x10x10cm when shut, in use the back tilts backward by 3cm at the top to allow storage of a few sheets of 15x10cm paper waiting to be printed. The front drops down this adds a further 10cm to the depth to catch the printed sheets.

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I found - when printing directly - that less than two minutes - 110 seconds to be precise - is required from selecting the image on the TFT to a virtually dry printed page being delivered. Among the things it can do automatically check for Red Eye.

This is really small at 21x10x10cm when shut, in use the back tilts backward by 3cm at the top to allow storage of a few sheets of 15x10cm paper waiting to be printed. The front drops down this adds a further 10cm to the depth to catch the printed sheets.

I found - when printing directly - that around two minutes is required from selecting the image on the TFT to a virtually dry printed page being delivered. Among the things it does is automatically check for Red Eye.

The rear has connections for the power adapter and USB lead for attachment to a PC, however I suspect most people will use this size of device without a PC being involved. Especially as opening the base reveals that this can be run from an optional battery pack.

The TFT is small and fixed but providing the light is not to on the unit then selecting images from photo cards is not difficult. Drop the front lid and it reveals the Pict Bridge connector that can also accept stick/pen drives, also, four card slots, SM/XD, MS, CF and SD so most card types are catered for. I tested SD, Compact Flash and xD as well as several stick/pen drives. I also installed the provided software on a PC and printed direct. Finally I used Pict Bridge from my own camera. All printed without problem.

For a single cartridge three ink printer this is excellent, it does one job print 15x10cm photo sheets the four buttons on the top of the unit all have one job, while you can print two or four images on a single sheet most will surely print just 15x10cm images. When the sheets are produced they are dry so no need to handle with kid gloves for fear of permanent marks on the surface.

I assume this is near end of life - some printers last only a few months on sale - however at the vastly reduced price it is a great buy while it does only the one job it does it simply and not just from a PC so even should you not have a PC then you can print direct from your camera or from cards.

The price from the second link (HP) seems cheaper but when I checked they were out of stock in two of the three cases and assuming around £4 for delivery (unable to check) the third would be a few pence more. However if you can find one in a shop near you then you can save delivery so you may even break the £40 barrier.

While my Internet searches found numerous people selling this the link the cheapest I found this time around was Amazon and to save you looking last time it was £60.95 now it is only £34.99 including delivery.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000HA461M

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/ho/WF06b/5043-5683-5807-5807-12429102-12429134-74052599.html