Too cheap to be a high-quality printer! (HP Deskjet 930c)

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Product:	HP Deskjet 930c
Date:	26/06/01 (21 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very easy to use, great value for money

Disadvantages: Performance and features slightly lacking

Another entrant into the spring inkjet lineup is the DeskJet 930C. Being a member of the 900 series the machine shares the same engine as the 950C and 970CXi, albeit a little slower.
Print quality remains the same, however. The 930C features the PhotoREt III image-enhancing technology to gain a maximum resolution of 1200 x 2400 dpi. It also has the same handy print cancel button, automatic cartridge alignment, low ink indicator and optional duplex unit. However, there's no second paper tray.

What the 930C can offer over its bigger stable mates is a 100-sheet paper tray, which can be folded away to prevent dust from having its wicked way when the printer is not in use.

The 930C has a tiny footprint, but it doesn't look that great. However, we can overlook this as it costs significantly less than other models. With both parallel and USB ports, the 930C is compatible with most versions of Windows, including 2000, and also Mac OS.

We ran the 930C through our stringent tests and it came out unscathed. Scoring an excellent 90% in the print quality test, this printer proved it is an equal match for the 950C and 970CXi.

Text was near-laser quality and images were impressive even on plain paper. We saw a result of 2.9ppm in the 10-page speed test, which didn't really match up to the manufacturer's claim of 4.5ppm in normal mode.

Supporting all the media types of its bigger brothers means that the 930C is compatible with the new Premium Plus photo paper. This comes in various sizes and quantities, but more importantly comes in either glossy or matt finish.

We printed our 6 x 4in test photograph and it took 150 seconds from clicking print until the page dropped on to the tray. The wait was worthwhile as the results on this glossy paper were amazing. Colours including skin tones were as good as the 950C, and there was no banding.

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