Home > Consumer Reviews > HP Photosmart C3180 All-in-One Printer, Scanner, and Copier

The one-star reviews on Amazon of this printer are all 100% correct and accurate - this printer is an utter failure by HP, and that's why they're giving it away (it came with Maintosh Powerbook for free). Both the hardware and software of this printer simply do not work, and the print quality is horrible.

- The paper feeder mechanism simply does not work. It does not recognize 4x6 photo paper, and defaults to 8.5x11 regular paper. It feeds 4x6 photo paper incorrectly each time, resulting in a crooked picture.
- The print quality is horrible. I'm using the highest quality non-HP photo papers, but it makes no difference. The same photo on an equally cheap non-HP photo printer comes out starkly better.
- The software is full of bugs. Viewing multiple pictures and clicking on one does not result in the photo being displayed in the main window. This level of blatant bug is hard to believe but true.
- The cartridges are tiny and run out after only about dozen prints. Again, UNBELIEVABLE!
- After each print, the paper selection on the printer itself defaults back to 8.5x11 paper. Even if you select the 4x6 paper on the software, the printout comes out terrible. Unbelievable incompetence on the part of HP...

If you're looking for a GREAT multi-function machine, go for Brother 7820N.
If you're looking for an outstanding but economical photo printer, go for CANON i470D.

Let me add my accolades regarding this outstanding hardware/software package. The unit is compact, considering all its functions, and easy to set up and use. It prints super images, makes excellent copies with one touch, and scans with high quality and ease. The software works seamlessly with the hardware. I am especially happy with the scanning function. After so many years of marginal printers, and inferior multi-task machines, it is a great pleasure to own something that really works and delivers high quality images; and at a reasonable price. I highly recommend this unit as an effective and reliable home/office machine.

UPDATE: March 26, 2007
Six months later, after I purchased this printer, I say BRAVO! The only thing that I can say bad about it is the fact that it DRINKS INK! However, all INKJETS drink ink. This is a very quiet printer and it has a great improvement over changing the 2 ink cartridges--very fast and easy compared to older HP Inkjet printers.

September 19, 2006
Below is my report after just owning the printer for a few days:

This is my 3rd purchase of an HP All-In-One Printer, Scanner, Copier. I owned the PSC ALL IN ONE 2100 for 3 1/2 years until it coughed and died last month. Then September 18, 2006, bought the F380 HP, it was dead on arrival. Said I would "NEVER" buy another HP. Well, I ended up bringing the F380 back and getting the HP C3180. So far, so good. I have owned this printer since Sept 19, 2006 and it is doing great as yet. Scans flawlessy, prints everything, including pictures perfectly. Printer is quiet and copies quickly! The only things SO FAR that I can say negative about this is that it DRINKS INK! The reason I gave this 4 stars and not 5: 1) Drinks Ink 2) I miss the old software that the previous HP All in Ones came with, the newer photo software is bare bones at best. Bought MS Picture It as it has more features. 3) Have only owned this about 3 weeks. I plan to do an update on this should it "DIE" on me...Till then...
UPDATE: November 26, 2006-Still working great! This is one of the easiest to use printer/scanner/copiers that I have ever had! I love the fact that each time you print, it gives you a report of the remaining ink levels. This is a big help! I have found that the black empties very quickly. I have since bought the double pack of it to have on hand. The color ink has lasted me about 1 to 1 1/2 months. All of the INK JETS DRINK INK! This is is only negative thing I can say, but as I said, ALL INK JETS DRING INK! But for the money, I do love this printer!

My Epson Inkjet died and I needed a new printer pronto. Tried HP because unlike Epson, you get a new print head with each cartridge plus the Epson inkjets have a bad history of drying out from infrequent use and completely dying, like mine did.

Have never had a HP printer and am very happy with the PhotoSmart C3180. Well made, nice design, great fit and finish, compact footprint and excellent quality. Very easy to use and works well with Apple's OS X!

I just sold my Canon ip5000 and have this HP as a replacement. The Canon is a hellava printer, so I was curious how this one would stand up in terms of quality. Interestingly enough, it did very well. The Canon was a little faster and less noisy, but certainly not worth the additional $250 retail. For $99, you can't go wrong with this printer.

One thing I did notice was the size of the ink tanks on this printer as they are very small. Many have stated that the printer runs dry of ink very quickly, and this may be true, but the ink tanks are small so what do you expect? Proportionally, the tanks are the same price as the larger tanks as they are cheaper but you get less ink. This printer also does not have a permanent paper tray at the bottom that you keep paper in. So when you want to print, you have to open the front and place your paper in, then remove when you are done. You could keep it in there, but it looks sloppy to me as I have a very clean workplace. This lack of feature is not a deal breaker, but worth mentioning.