The HP Deskjet F380 Budget Printer

The HP Deskjet F380 is a printer, copier, and scanner all wrapped up in a sleek modern package.  This model is one of many all-in-one printers that have sold well under the Hewlett-Packard name.  While it does come with many of the options you would expect, it lacks the speed and print quality desired in today's market.

The unit installs quickly and easily to work with either the PC or Mac operating systems.  All three utilities are simple to use with the touch of a button, or via computer input.  The program HP provides with the unit works efficiently, and is capable of organizing the user’s photos and documents.  Many standard features are offered with the printer such as a maximum 1200 x 2400 dpi black and white prints, color prints, USB connection, and easy to install ink-jet cartridges.  HP also backs this budget model with a one-year warranty, and 24/7 toll-free phone support.

The major drawback to the HP Deskjet F380 is its print speed.  Hewlett-Packard boasts print speeds up to twenty pages-per-minute for this model, but actual print speeds are much lower; especially when printing in color which they rate at a dubious fourteen pages-per-minute.  The print quality for color photographs are lacking as well.  Color bands are quite obvious which is relatively common in budget printers, and pictures produced in either color or black and white lose detail in the darker areas of the picture.

These details are to be expected in budget HP All in one printers, and run parallel with others in its class.  This type of printer is generally added on for “free” in computer bundles, and as such the user gets what they pay for.  When the low price is taken into account, the HP Deskjet F380 remains an efficient, attractive, and easy to use all-in-one printer.