HP Officejet R65

HP's software toolbox includes a background printer monitor, but it doesn't keep track of consumables. A scan button on the printer's control panel can be used to automatically load HP's PrecisionScan software. We saw this utility with HP's 5200C scanner (reviewed issue 56, p182) and, while it looks great, it leaves a lot to be desired for inexperienced users who want more control over the final output. However, most business users will find it works well enough and will appreciate the fact that text regions are automatically run through the PrecisionScan OCR engine. Scanned images can be loaded into the app of your choice directly from PrecisionScan, or you can acquire images using the TWAIN driver.

For businesses that don't need a fax option as well, the OfficeJet R65 looks like a good, cost-effective choice that provides full-colour printing, copying and scanning. Print speeds may be below expectations but it's well built, easy to use and delivers a colour output quality not normally associated with multifunction devices.

Author: Dave Mitchell