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Aimed at the burgeoning number of amateur enthusiasts with ever-cheaper DSLR cameras, the B8850 is essentially a cut-down version of the existing high-end B9180.

It lacks that model's Ethernet port, front panel display and ability to print onto card stock, but it retains the B9180's professional print quality by using the same print engine and pigment-based inks.

Unusually at this low price, the B8850 offers neutral black and white printing by using individual photo black, matte black and light grey cartridges; something we can verify after seeing the results of a hands-on demo.

The B8850 will also feature a sleep mode: consuming just 1 watt, an internal countdown timer will wake the printer every 24 hours to perform the necessary maintenance to prevent the pigment-based inks from clogging the print head.

The driver is now integrated fully into Photoshop CS3, and a plug-in will be available to enable the same integration into CS2.

Existing B9180 owners will also be able to download the new driver to add the same support.

The HP Photosmart Pro B8850 Photo Printer will launch on 1 April, with an SRP of £399.