HP DeskJet 3740 Color Printer

Rating:
Summary: A Real Disappointment
Review: I have owned a number of HP printers over the years. In fact this replaces an older one that just happened to run out of both ink cartridges at the same time. I thought why not get a newer one then. Anyway, the paper capacity is low (something around 20 sheets at best--not 80). It prints slowly (no where near the 14 ppm that it claims on my computer) and fairly loudly for an inkjet printer (should be next to silent, but this sound kind of jerky). I has a fairly cheaply made feel to it. Interestingly, the "50 sheet output tray"--there isn't one. The pages fall right on top of the input paper. The ink cardridges (it only comes with a color--optional BW is at your expense) are very small. So though the cartridges are a little bit cheaper, I seem to now only be getting maybe 100-150 typed pages out of them. Years ago I had an inkjet from a cheaper company. It disappointed me and I spent the little bit extra to go to HP and haven't ever been disappointed until now. This is really sad that HP would make something this badly designed.

Rating:
Summary: Not a bad printer, but...
Review: The print quality of the 3740 is good, but my main complaint with it is that HP doesn't make it clear that you need a USB A/USB B cable to connect it to your computer...which is sold separately (you can get the Belkin Pro Series USB 2.0 Device Cable (USB A/USB B, 10 Feet) from Amazon for $6.74, or else for ~$13 at Wal-Mart). Why would they sell you a printer without the necessary connectivity hardware to use it? Also, it doesn't come with the HP 28 cartridge (black), and that costs about $22 extra as well. Bottom line, this $40 printer will cost more like $65-$80 depending on where you get your cable. The Canon PIXMA iP1500 is a good alternative and the printer cartridges are much less expensive.

More about print quality. I can't say that I was disappointed by the quality of the printed photos. The pictures are professional quality as long as you are using good photo paper (which is the case with any printer). Text is good as well, plus the printer is very small which makes it handy if you don't have a lot of desk space left after hooking up your scanner, wireless router, phone adaptor, cable modem and other various junk that can wind up on a computer desk.


Rating:
Summary: Good inexpensive printer
Review: This is a very inexpensive printer that doesn't include a black ink cartridge nor a USB cable. The color cartridge has a pretty short life as well, maybe 100-150 pages.
I was apprehensive about such an inexpensive printer. I've been plesently surprised. The print quality is very good, photos are good as well. Compared to my old HP712C, this printer is at least as quiet, much faster, and better quality print. I don't agree with the other review saying its noisy. Most printers don't include connecting cables. The Canon another reviewer recommended doesn't include a USB cable either.