HP Deskjet 1220C Review

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HP Deskjet 1220C
2.5 stars
Average rating for this product is: 2.5 out of 5

From 4 ratings and 22 reviews

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Leni's Review of HP Deskjet 1220C Inkjet Printer

2nd Jan 2006

Overall Rating

1.5 stars
  • Value for money
    1.5 stars
  • Ink Consumption
    Average
  • Ease of Set Up
    4 stars
  • Time Inkjet Printer Owned
    Over 1 Year
  • Print Quality
    4 stars
Good Points

Good print quality (when working).


Bad Points

Poor paper feed.
Very erratic performance.


General Comments

For the first six months or so after purchase, the HP Deskjet 1220C inkjet printer seemed like an excellent choice. The print quality (on photo paper) was glossy and rich, and if it occasionally had problems picking up sheets from the paper tray, then that was a small flaw.

Since then (I've had it just over a year now) it has gone rapidly downhill. Virtually every print has been produced with heavy vertical streaks that no amount of diligent cleaning seems to get rid of, and its performance has been more and more erratic; around 50% of my prints have turned out degraded and streaky from halfway through, as though the ink is running out, but the printer insists the cartridges are full, and the next sheet will print out fine as if there is nothing wrong.

Last week, it finally gave up the ghost entirely, and stopped taking in any stock heavier than bog-standard copier paper. Since I bought this printer for use in graphic design and illustration, this makes it somewhat redundant!

Worse still, the printer does not seem to recognise that there is no paper in the rollers, and carries on spitting ink regardless. I now have a printer full of discharged ink, a lot of wasted cartridges and ruined photo paper, and an expensive white elephant taking up space. I had considered getting it repaired, but after seeing that many other users have had problems worse than mine, it hardly seems worth the effort, and I am now looking for a replacement.

I would recommend this printer ONLY if (a) you don't mind forking out in six months' time for a replacement or (b) it will be used for very basic purposes, e.g. printing out A3 posters on 80gsm paper for school plays or similar. Anyone looking for a long-term print option had best steer clear.

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Members' Comments onLeni's Review

  • Storic on 9th May 2007

    I have had an HP Deskjet 1220C for some three years now without problems that cannot be easily fixed.

    a) Regular cleaning of the printer with a soft damp cloth avoids ink streaks on paper, and removes ink build up on the rollers.

    b) The HP 1220C IS somewhat fussy over the quality of paper used for photographic prints. I found out fairly quickly what paper it will or will not pick up cleanly or just doesn't work at all. Good quality glossy paper works fine and the results are clean, clear prints without banding of any kind.

    c) Poor quality coarse paper does result in bleeding and absorbs the ink like blotting paper. Again, I have learned what sort of quality the paper should be - and this is not necessarily the most expensive paper, which is useful for draft copies.

    d) The biggest grumble I have is regarding the printer drivers for XP. The provision of these drivers is somewhat vague and support seems almost non-existent.

    All in all though, I would recommend this printer to others - it is impressively quiet and reliable.