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Microsoft Windows 7 (64-bit)

I know I want to stick with the HP Inkjet line (I've owned them for years and years, and on (some) the ink consumption is outstanding), but have discovered that they can be VERY different from one another. 

 

We own a small business so need an all-in-one that gets constant daily use. The printheads just went out on my OfficeJet 8600 Pro and from what I can tell it's time to say goodbye. I have LOVED that printer, when I bought it I walked into the store and said get me the printer that doesn't drink the ink - I was shown the 8600, and been very satisfied. A year or so ago I bought an OfficeJet Pro 8710 for use at home, thinking it must be similar (or better) than my 8600. I hate it.

  • I can't cancel a print job on the screen - on the 8600 I could lean over and hit the "X" right there on the panel. The 8710 has nothing.
  • The panel is far too small, making the icons so miniature I waste too much time trying to get to them.
  • To do anything simple, even making a copy, there are SO many menu levels before I can hit start. Example: I photocopy store receipts countless times a day. Often they are printed so light I need to darken them before copying. On my 8600 there was a button right there on the main print screen, no menus to go through, just choose the level of darkness, choose black or color, and hit enter. To do the same copy job on the 8710: (1) hit the miniature icon to copy; (2) choose document, ID card or photo; (3) I choose document and ... At this point the only things on my miniature screen is number of copies and one- or two-sided. To set the darkness level I then have to (1) choose the settings icon in the bottom left corner; (2) scroll with my finger - and this thing scrolls fast, no simple up and down arrows I can push - down to the Lighter/Darker setting; (3) select that and slide the slider (again, the 8600 has left and right arrows I could tap, but on the 8710 I have to engage the circle and slide it to level I want);  (4) hit done; (5) Arrow back to the main menu; (6) select black or color print; (7) hit copy. It just is a frustrating amount of steps, on a teeny little screen, to do something that used to take a couple of easy button pushes, and involved NO MENUS at all.
  • TOO MANY MENUS!

There are several other irritants for me, but these are the bigger ones. Since I (obviously) haven't shopped in a long while for a printer, I need help. It's difficult trying to buy anything right now due to the coronavirus. I pretty much need to order online and go pick it up -- but the stores (Office Depot, Best Buy, etc) just aren't stocking right  now. The Office Depot two blocks from my business hasn't got a single inkjet, of any brand, in stock. So I'm flying blind in picking one out, and hoping I can actually buy it.

 

I don't need web based printing. I don't need or want bells and whistles. My old 8600 printed photos just fine, and that's NOT the main reason for my printer. I just need an all-in-one that's easy to use without layers and layers of menus, has a bigger screen than the 8710, and just functions.

 

Too much to ask? Help, please.

2 REPLIES 2
HP Recommended

The OJ 8600 plus is my one of the favourite printers, big touch screen, curved lines just amazing.

Too bad that later models can't match the beauty and functionality of OJ 8600 plus.




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HP Recommended

No kidding. Sometimes I wonder where these "improvements" come from. As Microsoft does, forcing us to purchase and accept the "one size fits all" theory when we don't need all the options they put on all the machines. 

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