In this digital age, the question arises: have printers become anachronistic relics? As we rely more on digital communication and cloud storage, are home printers still relevant? With the new HP Smart Tank 580 Wireless All-in-One, I rediscovered the convenience of having a versatile multi-function device. It bridges the gap between the digital and tangible worlds, offering printing, scanning, and copying functionalities that streamline everyday tasks.
Design: 4/5
HP’s commitment to user-centric design is evident in the Smart Tank 580. Following the recognition of their 2023 Smart Tank printers with a Red Dot Design Award, the HP Smart Tank 580 maintains a compact and minimalistic aesthetic. The matte black plastic construction exudes a clean and professional look that blends seamlessly into most home or small office environments. Its footprint is relatively small (434.66 x 361.53 x 157.26mm) considering its ink tank system.
Paper feed is only through the rear tray, which is rated to accommodate up to 100-pages. However, for thicker paper (80gsm or more), a capacity of 30-50 pages might be more realistic.
The flatbed scanner sits on top, allowing you to scan documents and photos directly onto your computer. The control panel features a small display and a handful of buttons for basic operations like printing, copying, and scanning. Overall, the design prioritizes functionality without unnecessary frills, making it suitable for users who appreciate a no-nonsense approach.
Hardware: 4/5
The key feature of the HP Smart Tank 580 is its innovative ink tank system. Unlike traditional cartridge printers, it utilizes refillable tanks that hold a significantly larger volume of ink. This translates to ultra-low running costs – a major advantage for frequent printing. HP claims the included ink bottles can deliver up to 6,000 black and 8,000 color prints, a substantial yield for home users.
Print speeds are decent, rated at up to 12 pages per minute (ppm) for black and white documents and 5 ppm for color prints. While not the fastest, these speeds are adequate for most home printing needs. Print quality is suitable for everyday use, producing sharp text and vivid color graphics. Photo prints might lack the detail of dedicated photo printers, but they are acceptable for casual use.
The flatbed scanner offers basic scanning capabilities and can handle documents up to A4 size. It’s sufficient for scanning documents and photos for everyday use, and its ID scanning/copying function is an added convenience.
User Experience: 4/5
Out of the box, the HP Smart Tank 580 needs to be properly set up, following the detailed Set Up Guide. Though not overly complicated, this may present a challenge for some people. Filling up the ink tanks is quite easy and not at all messy with the non-spill, resealable ink bottles. The next step, installing the print heads (one for black, and one for color) could present some difficulty with warnings to avoid touching delicate parts. Once the printheads are aligned and the software properly installed, the HP Smart Tank 580 is ready to serve.
Although not the fastest in terms of print speeds, this HP Smart Tank 580 is adequate. I was able to print about 2-reams worth of pages for a project completion report, and it delivered clear, crisp, and vivid images.
Its wireless connectivity makes it easy to print documents or even photos direct from my phone or laptop, without being physically connected to the printer. In fact, I can send a print job from my laptop while watching TV in the living room and just pick up the printout whenever I want.
So to the question — are printer passe? The answer is clear: Nothing beats the convenience of having a home printer that also doubles as a scanner/copier. While we have fewer printing requirements, there are still essential documents that need physical copies, such as official forms, legal contracts, government licenses and permits, and the like. An all-in-one device like the HP Smart Tank 580 not only gives the convenience of printing on demand, but also simplifies document management through its scanning and copying capabilities.
Value: 4.5/5
The HP Smart Tank 580’s biggest selling point is its budget-friendly operation. The initial price tag might be slightly higher than some traditional cartridge printers, but the included high-yield ink bottles and refillable ink system significantly reduce the cost per page. On the Lazada official HP Flagship Store, the HP Smart Tank 580 is listed with an SRP of PHP11,200. Replacement inks are affordable as well, with black ink costing PHP275 and colored inks (cyan, magenta, and yellow) priced at PHP290 each, bringing the total for all four inks to just over PHP1,000. This translates to significant savings over time, especially for users who print frequently.
Specifications:
- Functions: Print, Copy, Scan
- Print Speeds: up to 12ppm (black), up to 5ppm (color)
- Duty Cycle: up to 3,000pp/month
- Recommended Monthly Volume: 400 to 800
- Print Technology: HP Thermal Inkjet
- Print Quality: up to 1200×1200 rendered dpi (black), up to 4800×1200 optimized dpi (color)
- Processor Speed: 980MHz
- Printer Driver: HP PCL 3 GUI
- Print Cartridges: 4 — black, cyan, magenta, yellow)
- Connectivity: USB, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, WiFi Direct, Bluetooth
- Memory: 64MB integrated DDR1
- Paper Handling: input up to 100 sheets, output 30 sheets
- Scanner Type: Flatbed only, scan size up to 216x297mm, scan resolution up to 1200dpi
- Copy Features: resolution up to 600x600dpi, reduce/enlarge, up too 99 copies, ID copy
- Dimensions(WxDxH): 434.66 x 361.53 x 157.26mm
- Weight: 5.03kg
- Warranty: 1year or 30,000pp
What’s Hot:
- Refillable ink tank system
- Good print quality
- Wireless, mobile printing
- All-in-one functionality
What’s Not:
- Basic features
- Rear input tray only
Bottomline:
The HP Smart Tank 580 offers a well-rounded package for home and small office users who value convenience, versatility, and budget-friendly printing.
Reviewed by Maribelle Alba
Also published in GADGETS MAGAZINE April 2024 Issue