HP Photosmart C4580 All-in-One A4 Printer

I have one of these connected wirelessly to a laptop running 32bit vista and connected via USB to a PC running 64bit Vista and 64bit Windows 7 (dual boot) and my experience is that this AIO is excellent.

The printer comes supplied with a set of ink cartridges, a few sheets of photo paper and with a USB cable.The USB cable is for setting up the printer to connect wirelessly (the software uses it to relay the wireless connection info of your laptop to the printer). I havent had a `this device can perform faster` message when the printer has been plugged in with this cable so I am guessing that it is USB2 and that it could be used for permanent USB connection (it is a nice change not to have to buy an additional USB cable!).

I cannot comment on ink usage yet but if it is as good as my last HP AIO it will be good. The fast draft print setting does a good job on the majority of the printing I have done to date so I can see getting plenty of usage out of the cartridges. Photo prints come out very well, either from the computer or from the card reader.

The scanner also does a good job and I have not had a single problem using it, either through the software or the on-printer buttons.

I downloaded the latest software from the HP website and the installation in both versions of Vista was smooth and uneventful. Installing on Windows 7 beta required the .exe file to be run in Vista compatibility mode and took 2 attempts. During the first attempt the software hung a couple of times then the printer did not work properly at the end of it. A quick uninstall/reinstall later and I had no troubles at all. It is nice to know that this AIO will work in the next version of Windows!

I am impressed with the options in the software and also the simplicity of the on-printer controls. I like that if you press the scan button and select 'scan to PC' it gives you list of (connected) computers to send it to. It then appears on the computer of your choice and you can set it to be saved as a tif/jpeg/pdf etc using the software or imported into HPs propriety software.

I have had one software niggle in 32bit Vista. A hang report kept being generated on booting. Running services.msc (Windows button + R >>> services.msc) then changing the status of HP CUE DeviceDiscovery Service from automatic to automatic (delayed start) solved this.

I have had a different software niggle in 64bit Vista. On shutdown, an error window occasionally pops up about hpqgpc01.exe. This usually occurs when the computer has been on for more than 30mins; however, it does not interfer with the shutdown, so despite being irritating it is not a problem. The internet tells me that this error can be rectified by not having any HP software startup with Windows, but since it is just a mild irritation I have kept it as is. Strangely, I have not had this error yet with 64bit Windows 7.

Despite what I read about this AIO losing wireless connections to computers and having poor signal I have not encoutered either problems. Signal strength is 5/5 through a brick wall and the laptop connects throughout the house no matter when it was last turned on/connected.

Hope any of this helps.

I brought this printer 2 weeks ago NOT FROM AMAZON. After reading all the bad reviews and problems i thought i dropped a right clanger !!
BUT i got to say i've had no problem at all. The install couldn't have been easier, just a few clicks.
I've got 1 laptop and a desk top connected by wireless and it's performing great. I suspect people getting a lot of problems with this printer because of their security programmes. HP do tell you to disable it when installing. As for the 'WON'T WAKE UP' fault that loads of people are getting,i've not got it. Great printer if you follow by the letter HP install instructions.

I bought this knowing absolutely nothing about the technical jargon associated with laptops and printers I knew only that printer was compatible with my Windows Vista and it was wireless which I wanted. It was incredibly simple to install using the instructions on the A4 pamphlet enclosed in the box. Its too soon to say how reliable it will be but, so far it is just brilliant. I am very happy I chose this printer.