Review

Hewlett Packard DeskJet 970c

By Lowell Conn, Cyberwalker Media Syndicate

Hewlett Packard's DeskJet 970C is a really nifty-looking printer. It is remarkably small for a device of this caliber.

It is also surprisingly durable and sturdy for a printer that is so desktop compliant. This thing will fit virtually anywhere, perfect for the small business office cluttered with file cabinets, computers and paper cluttered in every corner. Looks aside, this printer performs.

The first thing you will notice is the quality mechanics. They could have called this one the 970C Stealth, because you won't hear it. The DeskJet 970C barely makes any noise while printing documents. Nothing, barely a whisper -- not the annoying hum you're used to hearing come out of the office printer. If you are in a high volume office, where the constant motoring of the printer can become a pain, this one won't touch a nerve.

The printouts? Wow. Sharply printed full color, stark black and white prints. The DeskJet 970C produces real quality output. It also performs at very impressive speeds, whirling out a full-color pages in less than three minutes. Still, the spooling time from computer to printer is not overly impressive, despite the built-in 4 megabytes of memory.

One fantastic addition that merits full acclaim is an included component that snaps onto the back of the printer, allowing two-sided printing. The component is simple and takes only seconds to install. This is a benefit you might not appreciate now, when shopping for a printer, but you will reap huge rewards from it down the road. Imagine how much paper clutter you save by printing your draft documents on both sides of the page. Then imagine how much money you'll save on paper costs.

The toner cartridges are also easy to install and, unlike other HP printers where a side panel opens up to add new ink cartridges, the DeskJet 970C's front panel peels open to reveal the inner workings.

The 970C's front panel also feels more durable, despite creaky hinges, than the side panel alternatives.

There are a few drawbacks. The DeskJet 970C's paper tray boasts a capacity of 150 pages, but does not look big enough for that many sheets of paper. Even if looks are deceiving, a maximum of 150 pages seems limited for a printer billed as the professional series.

Also, the accompanying software boasts plenty of extras, but there was an awful lot of installing and loading involved. What ever happened to accompanying software that just loads on some drivers and you're done?

Still, you cannot argue with the fantastic output results -- or the big picture. The DeskJet 970C deserves a nod. It is fast, economical, speedy and provides output that rivals more expensive units. At $399 US (CDN $599), this printer is a very solid acquisition for any small business.

Reviewer's rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Comments: Very good print quality, very good price, ideal for small businesses. Loses points for limited paper capacity, a deduction nullified by the two-sided printing.
Price: US $399 US / CDN $599