HP 842C Ink
Deskjet 842C Ink Cartridges

HP 842C Printer Review

The HP Deskjet 842C is a basic single-purpose printer. It was released in 2002 and quickly became hot on the market. It has since been replaced by faster moving units with higher resolutions due to new technologies. At 8 pages per minute using black HP 842C ink and 1.5 pages in color, this device can no longer compete with other inkjet printers. However, for an older unit, it still serves its purpose, and consumers seem to be happy with the results.

Weighing 12.6 pounds and measuring 18x7x14 inches, the 842C can fit on any small desk or table. It has the ability to print on regular paper as well as photo paper, envelopes, banners, transparencies and labels. The maximum memory capacity is only 2 MB RAM, which is partially responsible for the sluggish production speed. The USB connection helps speed up the image transfers, but it still takes almost 2 minutes to print a photo.

There are two HP 842C ink cartridges, one filled with black printer ink and the other filled with cyan, magenta and yellow. Improved by HP, the Deskjet 842C ink dries faster to reduce smudging or running. Consumers with low-volume printing needs will be satisfied with the quality of the ink, and the low cost of replacement tanks. The black HP Deskjet 842C ink cartridge has a page yield of 500, and the tri-color printer ink tank can reach about 410.

Small businesses could use the 842C for text documents and graphics if they have some free stand-around time. But trying to print at a high capacity with this inkjet unit will end up costing more than it's worth in replacement HP 842C ink. It is compatible with Mac and Windows, and for an 8 year old printer, it really is not a bad deal and would work out well for home users with basic printing needs.