Customer Reviews

HP Photosmart 2710 All-in-One Printer

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(22)

 

 

I bought the 2710 to replace an aging Brother MFC model that printed too slowly. Indeed, the 2710 prints amazingly fast, both in B&W & in color. The other features of this HP were just extras, but tempting enough to lure me in to buying it.

The wireless connectivity appealed to me because I love to decrease the tangle whenever possible. My printer sits 2 feet from my PC & my wireless router, but that little area has more than its share of cables & wires. Unfortunately, the wireless connection proved unreliable, making it often impossible to access the HP from the desktop software (a "not connected" message would show up). In the end I trotted out a USB cable and plugged it in and all has been well since.

As other reviewers have noted, the software is the work of a diabolical fiend. Okay, maybe it's not that bad, but it is a really clunky, user-unfriendly and wholly unintuitive interface that takes an hour to install even on a really juiced PC! As if that weren't enough, it self-corrupts now and then and requires a full reinstall, while it is virtually impossible to fully remove the old install (trust me, it's still there). Therefore, when I wish to use the software now, I must select from its drop-down box "copy 3". Sheeesh.

Another gripe was that my original 2710 would reset itself every week or so, an event that meant that I'd walk into my home office and find the thing flashing every button on its panel like mad. Of course any faxes that had been sent in that unknown interval were lost. Only unplugging it for a minute would resolve that problem. After trying tricks like isolating its power supply and making sure it had its own UPS and even disabling its wireless output, I just returned it and installed the new one in its place. That problem has never recurred, so it was clearly just a defective machine.

The major disappointment for me is one that I should have realized when I bought it: a flatbed scanner means a flatbed fax, which means you can't load up a multi-page document and just dial and send. In this case, you have to scan each page and then send the whole thing afterwards. Fortunately I get a lot more faxes here than I send, but it's still annoying.

So what are the good points? Well it prints very fast and very, very well, including photos which when done with the photo ink cartridge and photo paper look pretty much like lab prints. It also scans and copies quickly and beautifully and the software does make archiving the scans quite simple. The fax speed is excellent and unlike the Brother, it prints faxes out without much noise. The design is pleasing and the incorporation of a large, bright, and easy to read LCD screen makes operation simpler. Also, the built in memory card reader is highly functional, allowing you to preview your photos on its LCD and to print directly from the card without the PC even being involved.

I gave it 4 stars because the poor software issue comes into play very little on a day to day basis and because the defective 1st machine doesn't necessarily mean QC is a problem. Others in my house are accessing it via their wireless connections, so that does indeed work and is of some value. Lastly, that there is no fax feeder is obviously not their fault, it's just a design feature of all flatbeds.

In the end then, this is an attractive and all around very competent printer that also handles scanning, copying and (at least incoming) faxing quite well. I would buy another if the need arose.

I was leery of buying HP because in the past they just haven't seemed to have it together as much as Canon and others. But, I was so impressed by the features of this HP 2710, and I couldn't find anything just like it by Canon, so I bought this. The good news is, the hardware part of this works like a dream and is very impressive. The bad news is, the software package that goes with this is a mess and IS bloated. I have WIN ME, and what a disaster...the HP software installation blew up the first time I tried to install it and gave me registry errors. I have installed and uninstalled the software probably 15 times. About half the time you try to install, it blows up without totally installing. Leaving you to once again uninstall and install. And the fix to everything according to HP is to uninstall and install again, which takes about an hour round trip. I never did get the software to totally work with an ethernet (no scanning or file transfer capability), so I ditched that and did USB. After several uninstalls and installs again (which finally corrupted explorer.exe and I had to reload WIN ME), I still cannot scan and HP DIRECTOR is giving me script errors (and no - not any script errors listed on HP support - and I already did what they said to do to fix script errors). DIRECTOR runs the whole show and without it I am without useful ways to use and change parameters on my printer. I'll give really, really high marks to HP support, they were easy to get ahold of and they will sit on the phone for hours with you trying to fix things, but it doesn't do much good, because they cannot fix these problems at this time. I would think long and hard before buying until they update the software, unless you want to spend HOURS working on it and be left with a partially working application. Especially around Christmas...

12/06/04 - I want to add that I did a lot of research on this software installation problem, and at this time it boils down to this: It will either install with very few hitches and run flawlessly, or you will have several problems with installation and be left with an AIO system that doesn't totally work. For example, I cannot scan or change any of my scan resolution settings (or use anything with HP DIRECTOR - not because all the icons are missing - but because of script errors), or use the one button scan or file transfer features of the hardware because it doesn't recognize my computer. And mind you, this is with an installation that at the end said it installed successfully (it went through fax set-up, registration, and everything). I have seen posts of problems very similiar to mine in Windows XP (even SP2 - one guy had one computer it would work on, and one it would not) so it doesn't appear to matter if you have ME or XP. And nobody, including TECH support, seems to have a reason for the problems or a fix for this at this time. The software version I have is 4.2.0 (Photosmart 2600/2700 series) for WIN 98, ME, 2000, and XP. Again, if you want everything to work correctly, I would check the HP web site and make sure they upgraded this software or they have a fix for the problems I described (which they do not at this time) before buying, otherwise from my experience and research, you are playing Russian Roulette as to whether the software installs correctly on your system.

12/07/04 - AND...one more follow up and then I'm done...do yourself a favor and read ALL the reviews for the HP 7410 (which should be using the same software), or the HP PSC 2410, which is a forerunner to the 2710...you'll find plenty of references to the "bloated software" and installation problems. In fact the more I read reviews about all-in-ones in general, the more I read about problems and the "bloated" HP software. My favorite line was "it infects your registry like cancer". Boy, that is the truth, you can see that when installing. I swear it makes 300-400 registry entries. The software is way too complicated and puts junk everywhere in your system. That's why it gets into trouble. I have changed my chipset driver, downloaded VBSCRIPT 5.6 (even though I think I had it already), downloaded WIN Installer 2.0 and MDACS 2.8 (even though both I think come on the software disk), done this and that, and I am completely convinced I am never going to get the software to run right unless by great fortune they update the software and do it right. I've spent a whole weekend and several nights on this, and it's crazy, just to install a printer. And I'm not an idiot, I'm in IT. If you don't need fax, and can hook up USB, I'd look at the EPSON RX600. From reviews their software is simple and excellent. I know this HP 2710 has on paper a lot of cool features, but the other guys will match those soon. HP has proven both to me and via reviews on forerunner products that they write really terrible software. If you buy, I hope you're one of the lucky ones it works for, but if not, don't say you weren't warned...

I am a software professional, and if I wrote software like this I'd be standing out on the corner with one of those "Will Work for Food" signs. I'd have scraggly whiskers and a cigarette hanging from the corner of my mouth, and even if you wanted to help me, you'd basically know I was no good.

Urghhhhhh! What a crappy piece of software! It is HUGE, takes over your system, disables non-device related software components, and then HP refuses to support you with an intelligile person or at all. Shame, shame on HP. Not great thoughts about offshore support countries, either.

I spent 3 hours trying to get my "wireless" 2710 to connect and could never get past the WEP key. I gave up and plugged an Ethernet cable into it. Then I spent another hour installing the software on a single PC (it's HUGE). Then I printed a sample page. Then I scanned a document. Cool, other than having a wired wireless all-in-one, everything was working.

What happened next was like gangrene. Suddenly, every time I restarted my PC, I got a warning that my Windows Firewall was off. I'd check it and it was on. Then, periodically, I'd get error dialogs from anywhere with a svchost.exe exception with pretty hex code. Then I couldn't print at all, or scan, or anything. Then it took 3 minutes and 45 seconds just to open a browser. Then my Adobe Photoshop software wouldn't work. Then it took over 6 minutes to start my high end PC each time.

Luckily the Add/Remove Programs option still worked, so I uninstalled the 3 HP programs listed. Now everything is back to normal, except HP has about $400 of my hard earned cash, and I can't make any more because now I can't print a stinkin' invoice. Ironic.

I should have read the reviews first. Gotta admit I screwed up there. If you're reading this and it's not too late then Run, Forest, Run! Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what offshore English-as-a-fourth-language 3 dollar an hour support representative you're gonna get.

I was a little hesitant to buy an HP given their notoriously bad Mac software implementation and the installation was not without its moments (like when you repair persmissions and like a thousand of them need repairing -- just find the printer on the network using the HP finder after you are done and all will be fine).

I set this up using an Airport Express as a bridge and it just works flawlessly. Printing, Scanning, faxing and copying. Of the four, only scanning was a little difficult to set up, as it is with any scanner I have ever used with the Mac system. Copy and Fax work out of the box and setting up the wireless printing was a breeze, with the assistant doing all of the heavy lifting.

The design of the 2710 is just stunning, with a smaller footprint than the 2550 I got for free with my last computer purchase. It has a cool blue light on front that I think indicates the wireless is on. At any rate it is one cool looking machine. Print quality was good out of the box, though set to a much lower inking level than is possible. I just left it there. The printer found the network and all my computers without a hitch. Printing was fast with the new airport cards. Just like it was plugged in to the computer. I think they say 20 color/30 bw.

In scanning mode some adjustments were needed. The scan resolution out of the box was set too low for photos, but this is easily changed. I think that other than printing I will be using this primarily as a scanner (though it'll be nice for the occasional copy or fax too). At first I was disappointed that the scans didn't go directly into iPhoto, but quickly got used to editing scans using the HP software before importing them into my iPhoto collection, which was just fine. I will probably give customer service a call to see if this step can be eliminated and the manual is pretty detailed and may offer some suggestions. Overall, the documentation was very good, but you are setting up 4 functions so it does take a little time to get them all set to your preferences on multiple computers. But once you get there you have replaced 4 machines.

This all in one works great and I am just happily wirelessly printing, scanning, faxing and copying with really no major problems at all...Go for it -- you will have no regrets.

There is no better home printer available than the PSC 2710.

The setup is amazingly simple, although the installation of the software took over 30 minutes.

The wireless is awesome, as I have multiple computers in the house and we can finally all print!

Pro's:
* Setting up WEP was a breeze
* Overall setup is so smooth
* Scanning is very fast and simple
* Huge display
* It's wireless!
* Print Speed via wireless is very fast
* Flatbed copier is great! You can easily copy small documents like insurance cards for proof of auto insurance.
* Fax is easy, but scanning is better, as you can just scan your document and email instead. This also gives you an electronic copy and proof that you sent the document.

Con's:
* Only drawback for me is the 2710 does not support VPN.

Tech support confirmed this. You do receive an error note that at least informs you that the problem may be due to being connected via a VPN. I would have never figured this out. I also tried connecting an ethernet cable directly into the 2710 while connected via VPN and it still did not work. As soon as I disconnected the VPN, voila! It printed.

The benefits far outweigh this 1 negative for me. For anyone with more than 1 computer at home and want copy, fax, photo, etc, the 2710 is the answer.

This is my 6th HP printer. I thought having all in one would be a great spacesaver for me. I had the printer exactly 3 weeks when I was using it one morning for a project. First the screen went fuzzy then gray but it was still printing. Then I thought I turn everything off for awhile and come back later. I could not turn it on. I checked the outlet to which it was plugged into but that was ok. I called HP support, they kept me on the phone for 2 hours and concluded that it must be a faulty power pack and are sending me a new one. This should take 5-10 business days. Since this product is still under warranty, (less than 1 month old) I wanted an even exchange. Guess what they said? So now I'm stuck without an operational printer. I will never deal with HP again.

After doing extensive research to purchase a new printer I decided on the 2710. It got great reviews from CNET, PC World magazine and others. I was drawn to its great print quality and more importantly its wireless networking. However, that proved to be its downfall for me. Connecting the printer to my wireless network was easy (I am using the Belkin pre-N router). The printer found the network, I entered the WEP key and all seemed well. Next step was to remove Norton Antivirus from my computer (Dell 8600 laptop), disable the Belkin firewall and turn off the Windows XP firewall. Then came the software install. I put the cd in, walked thru the first few steps, the software found the printer on the network, and then nothing! I would get stuck in a never ending loop. I was never able to proceed past the "confirm network settings" page. I phoned HP support and spent 3 hours with them on August 6 and another 3 hours on August 13. We tried a lot of stuff, but nothing worked. Finally after 3 unsuccessful hours the HP rep said the only option left was to unintall XP Service Pack 2 and then try to install the printer software. Im not quite willing to do that so the printer is going back to Circuit City. What a huge disappointment!

If you are considering this printer, give it a shot. From all the reviews below it seems like people either love it or hate it. Im sure I would love it if the software would install on my computer.

If anyone else has had this issue and resolved it, please feel free to post the solution.

The reviews are all correct - if you can install the software the first time you will be fine. I did the full install (780Mb! - nothing should be that big) and it failed to see the scanner leaving me scannerless. My brand new P4 3.3Ghz with 512Mhz of RAM running XP started to freeze and crash. I had to uninstall everything and reinstalled the minimum install and everything worked. The majority of the full install is HP's image software which you don't need if you have any other photo software - it takes up about 300Mb. Now that everything works I really like the printer but HP needs to wake up and hire some programmers who are not as fat and lazy as their software.

PROS: Networkedbeautifully (even with our macs), GREAT clear prints,loved the all in one functionality.

CON: 366 days after I purchased this printer the scanning mechanism broke and scanning and copying features ceased. The folks at HP offered me 15% coupon towards the purchase of a new printer, but little else in the line of help. The scanner was used less than 50 times over the life of the product. I have heard from a number of people in stores that these printers are notorious for this problem. Bottom line, if you have the funds to replace annually this is a great printer, otherwise I would recommend looking elsewhere.

I have been using this all-in-one for about four months and am very pleased with it. I do not use the scanner function, but have used the printer for everyday printing as well as printing both color and black and white photographs. The quality is impressive and amazing across the board. I have used the special photo and B & W ink cartridges with success.

I have used the all-in-one in both wireless and USB modes. In wireless mode I have had some problems getting it to communicate properly withmy notebook. When I first set it up, I had to call tech support. The offshore help was quite good, prompt, but it took quite a long time talking with the fellow to get it up and running, about one hour. Sometimes I still have to fiddle around with the wireless part, but it is worth it. Being able to work in a wirless environment is great!

Another compaint is that the software gives a lot of pop-up messages. I just close them all and continue with my work.

I highly reccommend this product even though I've had a couple of bumps in the road. The advantages far outway the negatives.