CNET Editor's rating: 6.6 out of 10
Reviewed by
Felisa Yang
Review date: 08/28/06
Release date: 06/07/06
The good: Decent overall print quality and speed; built-in media card reader; inexpensive; lots of options for photo printing; network ready; support both Windows and Mac PCs.
The bad: No PictBridge port; limited paper handling; fewer task options than printers in the same price range.
The bottom line: The HP Photosmart C5180 is a perfectly acceptable photo all-in-one, but you can get more features and faster print speeds for the same amount of money.
A reasonably priced, home hobbyist multifunction printer, the HP Photosmart C5180 All-in-One performs well and is fast enough for basic printer needs. Its one major fault is the lack of a PictBridge port for printing directly from a digital camera--a must for any photo-oriented home printer. The $199 printer also has limited paper handling options and no fax function, but its overall print quality will satisfy anyone who wants to print snapshots. Still, for about the same price, the Canon MP500 provides more features, faster speeds, and better print quality.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Ignore editors -it has networking, big plus
Why the editors compare it to the Canon MP500 is odd - that one doesn't have built in networking. ...
Why the editors compare it to the Canon MP500 is odd - that one doesn't have built in networking. The HP does, and solved a big problem at my house. Now I can print from my laptop over the wireless network any time I want. Editors, please confine your comparisons to equipment with the same features.
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by exak (see profile) -
November 7, 2006
8 out of 10 - Excellent CNET's rating blows, this HP All-In-One ROCKS!
I have read numerous reviews comparing the HP C5180 to the Canon MP600. I almost purchased the Canon over the ...
I have read numerous reviews comparing the HP C5180 to the Canon MP600. I almost purchased the Canon over the HP because of these ?reviews?. You can?t always trust reviews when advertising dollars are concerned. This HP All-In-One is great! It reproduces scanned photo prints with exacting detail (contrary to some reviews). The printed images of photos are incredible. The ink cartridges are easy to replace AND you will be replacing them a lot less often with this HP than the Canon! The print cartridges are less too. Buy it now!!
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by calibrator2007 (see profile) -
December 25, 2006
10 out of 10 - Perfect GREAT Printer+Copier+Scanner - ALL-IN-ONE
I waited nearly a month after buying and using this new printer before posting my opinion. I researched here as ...
I waited nearly a month after buying and using this new printer before posting my opinion. I researched here as well as a couple of other sites before deciding on this printer. I think CNET's rating is a little low from what I have seen in my research and from my personal experience. Set-up was quick and easy, even with my XP desktop and wireless router connected to a new VISTA laptop that would not work with an older printer. I connected the HP5180 to the router by ethernet rather than using the USB port. This allows me to use it with the laptop while my XP desktop is turned off. The software is top-notch as one expects from HP, but might take some time to learn to use for some not as familiar with it, but I found the printer to work with other software that I had already installed, such as Adobe Photoshop for one.
You cannot beat the HP Photosmart 5180 All-In-One for the price, $169 including ink and starter paper kit. It prints very fast in normal mode and super-fast in draft mode which saves ink. It is as quiet as any unit that I have owned, used or tried. The six ink cartridge feature saves a bundle on ink as well. My old Dell AIO printer was a non-stop ink supply service contract that I am glad is over now. Text is better than any other printer for under $200 and pictures as good as any I've seen for under $200, better than Dell and as good as Cannon or Epson for sure. That may be due to the six ink cartridge system which cost less than half of the cartridges for other printers I have owned and used. There are 4 memory card slots that handle at least 8 different types of memory card formats so you can print directly from a digital camera memory card which I tried and it worked without a hitch. The OCR software worked better than expected when I gave it a rather tough test with mixed text and graphics including color text and graphics. I do not need a FAX feature because I can scan and e-mail to most, but I also have access to a FAX machine if I need it as well as built-in software and dial-up phone modem, but I just don't need it. The color scanning feature is really nice on this AIO as well providing brilliant colors at high resolution settings. There are separate, easy to access buttons on the front of the unit for using most all of the functions without a PC and software. Oh yeah, they say it works with MAC's too, so I am sure it does.
I believe the HP Photosmart 5180 AIO to be the best text and photo printer/scanner/copier for under $200 that you can buy and the price per print or copy to among the very lowest available from any maker.
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by Mike+1 (see profile) -
April 28, 2007
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
10 out of 10 - Perfect Buy it now!
I researched all the printers and even though CNET said that this was not as good, I felt like it ...
I researched all the printers and even though CNET said that this was not as good, I felt like it offered everything I needed. Good thing I went with my intuition because this has been the best printer ever! The quality of photographs, scans, and copies is great. It's easy to use. You can stick your memory card or flash drive directly into the printer to print. You can easily scan right into Photoshop. The color compares to the image on my screen (finally!). I really can't even begin to explain how much I love this printer. Plus, it's sleek and modern looking. Everyone that sees it wants to buy it. Also, the ink cartridges are cheap so is the HP photo paper. I use to have a large format Epson printer (=$500) but I like the prints on my HP much better. P.S., I'm a graphic designer so these prints are obviously very good! As for tech support, I wouldn't know because I've never needed to use it. I've also not used the network on it, so I cannot comment on that. But this is by far the best all in one printer on the market for it's price!
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by mbeland (see profile) -
October 13, 2007
10 out of 10 - Perfect This thing is great. Fast, small, sharp, QUIET, packed with features.
I have had an HP in the past and am just coming off a comperable Epson. I have read the ...
I have had an HP in the past and am just coming off a comperable Epson. I have read the other reviews and the editors and others. Here are my observations. Pictures look great. Haven't scanned. Whisper quiet. Easiest setup I have seen on anything EVER. Network memory card reader, how cool is that. Like other have said, base your decision on what you are looking for. I live in an apartment and space is at a premium. This is SMALL and I can put it on my bookshelf. I don't mind the small paper tray, it would make it bigger. The wife and I both use wireless laptops and wander around the apartment.... and can print from the neighbors!! So many features I don't know if I will ever use them, but what I have used/changed has been stupid simple. Highest recommendation.
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by mikey533 (see profile) -
November 26, 2006
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 out of 10 - Excellent Great for scanning and networking
The editors prefer the Canon MP500, but it all depends on what is important to you. For me, I wanted ...
The editors prefer the Canon MP500, but it all depends on what is important to you. For me, I wanted good scan quality and networking. The Canon does not offer networking (none of them do), and the editors give good marks to the HP for scanning and poor marks to the Canon. Based on that criteria, the HP blows the Canon out of the water. The big weakness of this printer, in my opinion, is it doesn't offer duplexing (Canon does). If that is important to you, get a Canon, or move up to the HP Photosmart C6180 (available option)
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by hoss411 (see profile) -
November 25, 2006
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
10 out of 10 - Perfect Editor's are wrong, Their rating is unjustified.
I had an Epson CX6600 (that the CNet editors rated above an 8) and the print head clogged just after ...
I had an Epson CX6600 (that the CNet editors rated above an 8) and the print head clogged just after a year. I have 2 other Epsons that met the same fate. I decided to switch to HP, and it was a fab decision. I was able to get this model at the bargain price of 159.99. It far surpasses any printer in the same price range. Its the fastest printer I have ever owned. It also has a 6 ink system. Big Bonus. Installation took about 20 mins (it was mostly spent on installing software)but I had zero glitches. Its compact size is also a bonus. Sure the paper tray is limited in size, but it actually has 2 trays, 1 dedicated to normal paper and the other is strictly for photo paper.
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by lnhartman (see profile) -
December 15, 2006
2 out of 10 - Terrible HP C5180 TRASH TECH SUPPORT INDIA !!!!
THE C5180 A GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS DIDENT HOOK UP TILL JAN 25 07 OUT OF BOX DEFECT PURCHASED FROM WWW....
THE C5180 A GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS DIDENT HOOK UP TILL JAN 25 07 OUT OF BOX DEFECT PURCHASED FROM WWW.HP.COM MISSED THERE 21 DAY RETURN POLICY CONTACTED TECH SUPPORT 3 HOURS ON PHONE IN INDIA COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THEM THE BEST THEY COULD DO IS SEND A REFURBISHED PRINTER OR REPAIR .BUT THIS WAS NEW OUT OF BOX ???? THEY EVEN TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE INK CARTRIDGES 6 OF THE OUT OF MY POCKET SO THEY WILL KNOW IF ITS A PRINTER OR INK PROBLEM NO WAY HP NEEDS TO HIRE PEOPLE FROM THE GOOD OLD U.S PEOPLE WE CAN UNDERSTAND DONT BUY THIS PRINTER OR ANY OTHER HP PRUDUCT OR YOU WILL SPEND A LOT OF TIME TALKING TO PEOPLE YOU DONT UNDERSTAND !! AFTER 6 PHONE CALLS I INSISTED TO TALK TO SOMEONE IN THE U.S 30MINUTS LATER TRANSFERED BACK TO INDIA STILL DEFECTIVE PRINTER HP SHAME ON YOU PS THE RATING OF 2 INSTEAD OF 1 IS BECAUSE THE ONE AMERICAN I SPOKE TO WAS VERY NICE AND HELPFUL
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by jimp1234 (see profile) -
January 25, 2007
8 out of 10 - Excellent Fantastic value for the price
love this, with the exception that my yellow ink was empty, and the printer wouldn't let me even do ...
love this, with the exception that my yellow ink was empty, and the printer wouldn't let me even do black and white prints until i replaced the yellow cartridge.
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by Cybersamurai (see profile) -
May 19, 2008
Output tray - 50 sheets - Legal (8.5 in x 14 in) weight: 75 g/m2 - 200 g/m2,
Input tray - 100 sheets - Legal (8.5 in x 14 in) weight: 75 g/m2 - 200 g/m2,
Input tray - 20 sheets - 4 in x 6 in - 236 g/m2
Speed Details
Printing : 27 sec ( 4 in x 6 in ) - Photo fast normal,
Copying : up to 32 pages/min - B/W draft,
Printing : up to 0.4 pages/min - Color best,
Printing : 54 sec ( 4 in x 6 in ) - Photo normal,
Printing : up to 30 pages/min - B/W fast normal,
Printing : 145 sec ( 4 in x 6 in ) - Photo best,
Printing : up to 32 pages/min - B/W draft,
Printing : up to 5.3 pages/min - Color normal,
Printing : up to 31 pages/min - Color draft,
Printing : up to 8.5 pages/min - B/W normal,
Copying : up to 31 pages/min - Color draft,
Printing : 12 sec ( 4 in x 6 in ) - Photo draft,
Printing : up to 0.4 pages/min - B/W best,
Printing : up to 24 pages/min - Color fast normal
PC Connectivity
PC Connection Availability
Yes
PC Connection
Hi-Speed USB
Operating System Support
Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9,
MS Windows XP,
Apple Mac OS X 10.3,
MS Windows XP Media Center Edition,
MS Windows XP Tablet PC Edition,
Apple Mac OS X 10.2,
MS Windows 2000 SP3 or later,
Apple Mac OS X 10.4
Power
Power
AC 110/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Power Consumption Operational
16 Watt
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support
1 year warranty
Service & Support Details
Limited warranty - 1 year
Environmental Parameters
Min Operating Temperature
41 ?F
Max Operating Temperature
95 ?F
Humidity Range Operating
15 - 80%
CNET Labs' Benchmarks
CNET Labs Color Scanning Speed Test (pages per minute)
3.68
CNET Labs Gray Scale Scanning Speed Test (pages per minute)
7.8
CNET Labs Photo Speed Test (pages per minute)
0.56
CNET Labs Presentation Speed Test (pages per minute)
2.77
CNET Labs Printer Graphics Speed Test (pages per minute)
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