The 7760 prints terrific colour and black-and-white glossy photos, making it a good choice for users who don't mind swapping ink cartridges frequently.

For individual users or a small office, the Color LaserJet CP1518ni's minimal paper handling and toner supplies are probably adequate. Only extremely patient people will find it easy to tolerate the slow engine, however, especially when similarly priced models are much faster and have better features.

The HP Photosmart A716 is an attractive unit that will definitely appeal to someone who is looking at a home solution for reasonably cheap prints, but the black levels issues may deter those printing photos shot after dark.

We like the photo quality of this unit’s output as well as its speed, versatility and connectivity options. The only thing missing is the ability to print directly onto CDs and DVDs.

In a sea of inkjet competitors, the Photosmart D7160 stands out for its conveniences and its superior photo prints. Though some comparable printers may cost less or print a little faster, this would still be a good buy.

It's not without its faults, but the Photosmart 8230 is an above average photo printer with speed as its number one drawing card. It does suffer from graining effects, but its colour reproduction and level of detail is excellent for a photo printer in this price range.

If you're into photography and you want the convenience of wireless connectivity, this unit is hard to go past. It was easy to set up and its print quality is excellent.

Exclusive business users might find a laser printer more to their liking but, for a home office with a need to mix faxing and decent text output with a desire for eye-catching photographs; the C6180 is a decent option.

The media card slots and the extensive image software make the 2840 attractive for offices that print lots of photos, but its slowness and mediocre image quality will incline many prospective buyers to steer clear.

The LaserJet 3015 is a capable entry-level multifunction laser device for a small business or demanding home. HP has cut a few corners to save cost and desk space, but this won’t be an issue unless you need to scan books or magazines.

You can’t expect a $390 colour laser printer to demonstrate the very latest in performance and quality. However, for those who primarily want decent graphics, and who would also like to occasionally run off text jobs, this printer is better than its low price tag would suggest. It’s not fast though, so patience will be required.

The well-priced Photosmart C5180 has much to offer for printing photos and for sharing on a small network. It delivers high-quality glossy photos, but its plain-paper photo prints are not great.