Customer Reviews

HP DeskJet 6840 Color Printer

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I Needed a new printer for general photo AND document use to replace older HP deskjet 900 series printer. Used several sources (magazines, personal,internet, store, etc.) as research and considered other brands, even considered getting a photo-only printer. Downside with most photoprinters is that you are limited to 4x6 inch prints only, nothing else. HP ink cartridges also cost more, but they have in recent productions narrowed this cost gap with such printers as their photosmart 7000 series as read in a consumer magazine. Generally, the top three printer makers (Canon, HP, and Epson) make some excellent printers. Various factors influence choice, for example, ink costs, speed, text and photo quality, features, size, style, etc. I considered the new canon pixma printers, but they were HUGE. In summary I chose this printer because it uses HP's new Vivera inks (which are supposed to be an improvement from the last generation of inks), it's dimensions were medium size (shorter in height than most in its class), it is Wi-fi ready, and styling was new--its actually a very new model. Conlusion: It was a bit challenging as an average level computer user to set up the wi-fi conncection (as expected with wi-fi issues), but once set up, it works great as a wi-fi network printer. Texts prints were sharp. Photo prints were satisfactory, almost like lab quality (very impressive for a deskjet series printer) and it is quieter than my older printer in operation. The only downside I have for now is that there are only two slots for ink cartridges. HP has come out with a new photo gray ink (#100)for grayscale and enhanced black and white photos, but I would have to switch it with the regular black (#94 or #96) ink cartridge IF I decided to use it (although using the regular black ink will do for most users). To add some confusion, another new ink (#99) can be used for better photo prints (enables 6 ink printing) as an option over HP's regular black ink. There are no card slots but it is picture bridge enabled. I almost forgot to mention how great the included HP photo software is to use. Again, it is for an average user, and features red-eye reduction and other quick fix-it tools for those who don't want to spend more than a minute to edit photo prints.

I had an HP932C printer for many years that I'd been happy with, but it gave up the ghost recently and needed to be replaced. Since the 932C was a parallel port printer, that meant I had a parallel port wireless print server, too. So I could either (a) buy a new parallel port printer, of which the choices these days are very limited, (b) buy a USB printer and a new wireless print server, or (c) buy a printer like the HP 6840 with built-in Wi-Fi.

I chose to get the HP 6840 and I'm glad I did. Setup is quick and hassle-free. The only thing confusing (to me, anyway) was that the setup wizard leads you to believe that you can do the initial setup via USB, and I thought I would be able to do that and specify my wireless specifications as part of that (SSID, WEP key, etc.). WRONG!

However, if you've got WinXP SP2 (which you OUGHT to have, anyway, if you're on WinXP), and a USB jump drive (borrow one if you need to!) the wireless setup couldn't be more painfree. Just run the WinXP Wireless Network Setup wizard and tell it to save the network settings to the USB drive. Then plug the drive into the PictBridge port on the front of the printer. In about 10 seconds, the lights flash, and you're done. How hard was that?

The printer is a lot faster than my old 932C and the print quality is great. It's nice to have borderless printing for photos now, which I didn't have before.

I've always been happy with HP printers, and I have every reason to expect that this one will be no exception.

I needed a new printer and had considered the previous generation wireless printer from HP, but the reviews I read failed to convince me that I would be satisfied with it's speed and print quality.

When the HP 6840 came out I was very interested, and after reading various reviews about it's performance and print quality I decided it was what I was looking for.

I have the Linksys wireless G router, and an HP notebook with wireless G. I found the setup instructions to be easy to read and follow. I have read several complaints about needing to plug the printer into the router with an ethernet cable (which is supplied) during initial setup, but this is a minor issue, and once it's completed you don't have to do it again.

The wireless connectivity is very good, and print speed and quality are very good. I am very happy with this printer and highly recommend it! I bought it from CompUsa for $169.00.

After many hours trying to get the printer connected wirelessly, it now works just fine. The HP install CD would not complete with WEP or WPA encryption enabled on my Linksys WRT54G wireless router. The secret was to disable all encryption and finish the installation, then later change the router and printer to either WEP or WPA encryption security. Now it works just great and also provides bi-directional communication so you can see the ink level gage and other info. I'd give it 5 stars if the install had been easier.

I have been trying for weeks to build a home Mega wireless system. Belkin Pre-N router sending its signal into another county..Previous routers unable to get to our upstairs many walled home. I tried print servers (no names but what a mess)! Professional help... three hours, three hundred dollars up in smoke. I spent four hours talking to India to find out that two different print servers where not compatable with my printers (two). Bought the HP DeskJet 6840 Color Printer. Amazon.com made it all happen seamlessly! Followed the easy set-up instructions and I swear.... was up and printing in less than twenty minutes! The HP 6840 signal strength bars showing great signal all over our house, upstairs and down. Color Prints(8x10) printing so fast I could not believe this was a non-commercial printer! Even at the far reaches of my Universe! One happy Boy. Thanks HP !! Mega Wireless is up and Broadcasting!

I just got my new HP 6840 last week and have great things to say about it.
First of all, the wireless setup using XP Home was flawless. I had the printer installed and configured on a 128-bit WEP in just a few minutes. I am still working on getting a W2000 Laptop to print, but that's probably a driver issue that I have not solved. I have even printed from my iPAQ over the air! Cool!
The WiFi interface is very fast!
The color reproduction is extremely good. I have been printing on glossy inkjet paper and the photos come out looking perfect every time.
One added plus, the paper feed is from a tray on the bottom, unlike the Epson C80 that I replaced. That makes for a very low profile printer that easily fits on my desk where the C80 would not.
Ink cartridges are easy to change, and cost is comparable to the Epson carts. I would have preferred to have a separate cart for each color, but can overlook that single issue considering the quality of the prints I am getting.
I highly recommend this printer.

The quick start guide should put this as item number 1. It is mentioned in the trouble shooting guide though. DISABLE YOUR VIRUS PROTECTION AND YOUR WINDOWS FIRE WALL!!! If you do this before you start the install program will perform an amazing job of installing the wireless connection. Far and above the easiest wireless component install I have ever encoutered.

Make sure that you make a wired connection to your hub, router or access point as instructed in the quick start.

Reception on this device is very, very good, even better than the one on my wireless network card installed in my computer.

Printing is sharp and clear, crisp and almost laser like in apperance.

If you do run into problems with the install program be sure to hit the reset button on your router, hub or access point before trying again. Also, it helps to reboot the computer, but make sure the wireless connection is working before you continue with the install...

I just purchased this printer for my wife. There were two main factors in deciding on this model: A) it is compatible with both Windows and Macintosh PCs, and B) it has USB, an ethernet port, and wireless G all built in.

The printer works fine shared between both Windows XP PCs and a Mac running OS X.

However, you cannot configure the network settings of the printer via the USB connection, and I was unable to configure the Wi-Fi settings from a Windows PC using a USB flash drive as shown in the documentation. I had to use the ethernet port on the printer in order to configure the wireless settings. Also, the ethernet port and wireless networking do not work at the same time.

Overall, a fairly fast printer with good compatibility...

I spent quite a bit of time researching printers. I chose this one because it has the best overall bang-for-the-buck for everyday use. I considered "photo printers". but then I realized I'd rarely print photos and I don't need the media card reader. The one in my PC does just fine. This printer does have a PictBridge USB connection, if you desire. I doubt I'd ever use it. Besides, it's just so much cheaper to order photos online or to take your memory card to a local drugstore and print them there.

But on occasion when "instant gratification" is required, this printer produces very good quality color photos.

Mostly though I use it for everyday color printing (I don't use it for much monochrome as I have a separate all-in-one (non-HP) monochrome laser printer which I use for that).

The 6840 DeskJet color quality is superb for everyday document printing. Documents with lots of images in them look great with the standard color and black cartridges (I used some excellent test images I found online).

In fact, I've not seen a significant difference between photo printing with the standard cartridges vs. swapping the black for the color photo cartridge. It's just that good.

But again, most of that was just testing. Most of the printing done with this is for your standard color business-type documents.

This baby really cranks paper out quickly too (regardless of what you're printing). It's very fast.

It's extremely well built. It was almost heavy to lift and yet it's got a small form factor compared to all that weight. I was impressed by that.

It's also pretty nice looking. It has a different, but cool looking glossy blue plastic case with black plastic sides (the online pictures don't do the case justice). But it's very sturdy plastic (unlike what I've seen on other printers). The insides must be made of lead (OK not quite, but it's quite hefty in the weight department) and that's good. It's not cheaply made by any means.

This thing should last for years.

Oh and being that I'm a Linux geek, it's nice that HP writes open source drivers for most all of their printers (including this one) which are easily downloadable from their open source driver website. That's not often needed though. Many Linux distributions include the HP drivers already.

And last but not least, the icing on the cake! This printer has the built-in ability to connect to your network (either WiFi or wired Ethernet). I've got an Ethernet cable hooked up to it, connected to my home network router. It works like a charm.

If you don't need networking, it does have a USB port also.

It's a great printer!

Kudos to HP.

Just got one of these printers from my wife. I don't have a wireless network at home, but i've been trying to print to a remote printer while I move around the house with my Wi-Fi enabled PC laptop.

I've tried setting up wireless print servers with no luck. I even tried Apple's Airport Express and could not get it to communicate.
I was pleased with how easy this printer set itself up with the HP startup CD. I have a strong signal through several walls, and can even go outside the house. My laptop is using the slower b (not g) communication speed, so I think that gives me longer range. Found this printer on sale for $170. Great deal.