Editor's note: This product is no longer sold by the manufacturer. For the latest product line-up, check photo only printer reivew site.
Those looking to get a printer that does one thing and can do it well will be pleased with the HP Photosmart A646 photo printer. At only 2.4 pounds, 9.9 inches wide and a depth of 5.3 inches this little printer can fit only any desk no matter how small. The average resolution of 4800 x 1200 is good enough for the average user out there however not as amazing as we would like to have seen from HP. The one big thing that makes this printer shine over many of the others is its ability to print in more than just one size. The HP Photosmart A646 provides a unique way of printing photos from the majority of devices and in a variety of sizes.
The HP Photosmart A646 cost about the same as some of the other top photo printers on our site but offers a few extras that they don’t. One of the main features that makes the A646 different from any other is the fact that it can print more than just the typical 4 x 6 photo. Instead it can print 5 x 7 and also 4 x 12 inch photos in panoramic mode which is quite a big difference when talking about the small size and versatility of this printer. The 3.5 inch touch screen display makes it possible to navigate from picture to picture and even edit your pictures without the use of a computer or laptop. One of the complaints however is that the touch screen display can be a little confusing and doesn’t always respond the first time. That being said it is a very large screen compared to most and gives you a wide range of options for making each photo unique. The SD card slot, memory stick and XD-Picture card slots makes it possible to load almost any photo directly onto the printer without the need of a computer.
The HP Photosmart A646 delivers where it counts when it comes to a photo printer that can create the best photos. This doesn’t come because the A646 can print amazingly fast or because it has the best picture quality but more because it has so many on board editing options and extras. The need for a computer to make changes, add boarders, fames, clip art or other such things is not needed with the HP Photosmart A646 With over 300 different options every photo will be unique and just what you want. Not only can you edit photos from your camera, phone or other media device but you can also create photo greeting cards using the touch screen.
Savings are always a benefit when looking at purchasing anything that can harm the environment. The HP Photosmart A646 uses about 10% less energy than the standard photo printer, and the printer itself was created from 32% recycled plastic. There may not be a lot of money saving features but saving the environment is what HP is focusing on with this new model.
If you are the kind of person looking to get a photo printer that can print photos in various sizes and still holds true on color than the HP Photosmart A646 may be the choice for you. However, it does have a little larger learning curve than many other photo printers which may cause problems for some. Overall the HP Photosmart A646 offers a lot more editing features and paper size varieties for those who want to have some fun with their photos.
Pros
This printer is lightweight and features an extra large touchscreen.
Cons
The touchscreen is not always responsive and can be difficult to use.
If you are looking to print more than one size with high-quality, the HP Photosmart A646 is worthy of your consideration.