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However the main feature of this unit is that it is the first tri mode unit on sale in the UK. The tri modes are USB, Ethernet and Wireless. I have recently reviewed an inkjet printer from Canon with tri mode but this - I am told - is the first tri mode All In One.

It is 45x40x21cm, while it has a paper tray it is contained within the depth so these are the maximum figures you need. Once delivered the sheets do stick out slightly from the front but as they do not fall this space should be sufficient. Total weight is just under 12kilos.

This is described as 'The Ultimate Wireless Photo Lab'. It does have six individual print cartridges and while I used it in all three modes, I still found it easiest to setup as a USB unit, then as Ethernet and finally - after a struggle - as a Wireless unit. Providing you have a good signal I see no reason why any method of printing should be quicker than any other. Certainly it was not the case in any of my tests.

Reviews : Multifunction printers

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You can read the claimed print speeds if you follow the HP link at the end, in fairness my figures in most cases were not so far off. 24ppm for the nonsensical 200 word document in draft mode and 18ppm for a real 1500 word document over four pages. As is normal with HP their draft mode is quite readable and certainly a lot more black than grey.

As for graphics A4 prints took around 160 seconds, good quality but maybe a little blue (default settings) overall. The one time I found problems was printing 15x10cm images and these bore no comparison to the claimed 14seconds (mind you that claim does say in draft mode), quality was good but I found they took close to 50 seconds.

As a copy machine - with the PC off or not connected - you can print quick copies both in colour and black/white. I found black/white took around 20seconds with colour around 30seconds, other units are faster but this quality is excellent and often it is difficult to tell the copy from the original.

It has a perfectly acceptable scanning unit (up to 4800 DPI), the copy quality tells this but as always with HP they have an excellent software bundle that includes a decent front end and this can be used on the PC to control the whole process of getting things on paper into the PC - and should you wish - out again via email.

Faxing is less important today as email is as quick and can be secure if needed. However some still need fax and this unit can deliver. Should it run out of paper it is capable of holding up to 90 pages in memory.

It has a large 7.5x6cm TFT display that can be moved together with the 32 control buttons that surround it upwards from the base by up to 45%. It has the ability to print direct from camera cards, pen drives and PictBridge cameras. 

This unit prints quickly and has good clarity, image quality is fine, copying works well as does scanning and faxing, the complete range and of course you have the total range of connection methods, USB, Ethernet or Wireless, there is a drawback - the price, it currently costs around £280. The cheapest I could find doing my search is listed.

PC World have this product for £249.99

The BT shop has it for £299.99