HP Deskjet 6988 Wireless Photo Inkjet Printer

"This printer is very good, but, it is a little slow when starting to print. Seems to take a long time to figure out what it is going to print if there are any pictures involved. Really like the wireless feature...."

"I picked this printer up at my local Staples location after doing some research online. If your home is a multi computer home and you only want one printer I recommend this one. The 6988 are built with Networking in mind. You will not need to pick up a Print Server (which will cost you ½ to ¾ of this printers cost) to add into your current wired/wireless network. My initial set up included my desktop (XP) hard wired to the wireless router (which is located in the basement) and my wife’s laptop (Vista) via wireless connection also to the router. Both worked however there was significant lag between selecting print at my desktop and the job starting at the printer, but for not being connected directly to the desktop it was OK in processing speed. I think the network cabling to the router then back to the printer via WiFi actually slows the processing down. The connection for the wife’s laptop, which is strictly WiFi, is fast. Since the printer was going to be sitting on my desk anyways I hooked it up using my existing USB cord from the replaced printer. I feared that the USB would override the WiFi/Network setting but it worked wonderfully, I am on USB (back to a speedy print) and the wife’s laptop runs WiFi through the Wireless Router. The other nice option if you don’t have a WiFi router but have WiFi built into your computer you can do a direct Ad Hoc connection where the Computer and Printer talk directly to each other over their own WiFi abilities.I noticed there were two HP WiFi/Network units at staples this one and the all-in-one unit that includes a scanner. I almost spent the extra $20 but I noticed the ink cartridges it uses are the smaller capacity with no option for the large capacity like the 6988 uses. Also I have an HP Scanner already so it was no great loss.The styling of the unit is very nice and its footprint was equal to the Epson C86 it replaced.Staples offer’s the replacement warranty for two years on this unit for [$]. For a unit that includes the WiFi hardware it might be a good idea to pick it up in addition to the unit. I declined it but at the time I was only thinking about it being a printer and not the advanced hardware it has inside. I might go back and see if I can add it on. Otherwise everything you need, including full size ink cartridges, to get started (minus USB if you go that route of hook up) is included.It has been a long time since I have owned an HP Inkjet printer so I cannot attest to the Ink usage yet. But with the cartridges it uses there are many options for replacements."

"I was looking for a quality text printer to replace my faithful, workhourse hp 990-series printer that finally broke after many years of use. The deskjet 6988 printer fits the bill and it was very affordable.



I run a small business from my home office, and do a lot of document writing. I need to print drafts as the document progresses, so I needed a printer that could turn out draft pages quickly and without using alot of ink. (I really like all the printing-quality choices this printer offers.) The 'fast draft' pages (color and black & white) are good looking and easy to read, even on the cheap paper I use for drafts. I was amazed at the clarity and color accuracy of color graphics printed in the 'fast draft' mode.



And, most importantly, my final documents (on Normal mode) are great looking with crisp, laser-quality text and quality photos. I expect the 'presentation-quality' mode would be outstanding.



Having had the printer only a short while, I have not yet used the photo-quality printing, but judging from the way it prints color on draft mode with regular document paper, I expect that the photos (on the correct paper) will not disappoint.



I am very happy with the Deskjet 6988. It was easy to install, and at this point, I haven't had any problems. I like the small footprint and I think it's attractive in my office.



I awarded it 4 stars rather than 5 only because I haven't had it long enough to try all the printing modes and uses, or experience any problems (I'm still on my first ink purchase). If it lives up to the quality and longevity of my 990-series printer, I'll be very happy!"

"I bought this printer primarily for myself and my two roommates for college. I set it up first in my house, and at first it wouldn't install because it couldn't connect to the internet, but after I plugged it into my router for the initial setup the ethernet cable was no longer needed. There is virtually no lag time between me clicking print and it actually printing out. It prints lightning-fast too, even a 10 page document was finished before I even got to the room that it was in. No complaints, with the black ink costing[$] for every 800 pages. Well worth the [$]"

"After reading some of the other reviews I was a little nervous but decided to take the plunge on this printer since it seemed perfect for me. I wanted a compact printer for casual use (don't really care about photos, even though this printer can do them). The wireless was a big draw for me because I didn't want to have to leave it out on my desk when I won't use it very often. Anyway, I got it home and unpacked it, it was a pretty straightforward setup even if it took a little while for the software to complete installing. Connecting it to my wireless network was a snap, using the supplied ethernet cable and the clear instructions from the setup.exe. Then it prompted me to disconnect the cable and now I'm printing wirelessly. I moved the printer under my bed where it is out of sight and out of mind. The response time printing wirelessly is not super-fast but it is completely acceptable -- maybe 7 seconds from clicking 'print' -- and that may be the fault of my network, not the printer. As others have mentioned, there is a hideous sticker on the top of the printer, but it seems HP has addressed the problem with the adhesive, mine came right off and left virtually no residue. For those who said the printer shakes a lot, maybe you should try putting it on a sturdy surface? Not a ton of bells and whistles on this printer but the wireless and the compact size were what drew me to it."

"We had a HP Photo printer, which was the worst thing for eating reams of paper. I had a large printing job of over 600 pages and purchased the HP Deskjet 6988 after reading the reviews online. WOW--- what a great printer, it did not skip a beat. It printed smoothly, cleanly, no curling, no wrinkles and best yet, NO JAMS. The color is brilliant, no smearing! The bonus is the ability to network this printer with other computers in our house. I can work from my laptop outside and print in my house :o) I Highly recommend this printer. This printer is worth every single penny."

"This is my second HP wireless printer - I pretty much wore the last one out and it worked without a hiccup for years.



Very quick and easy to install.



These printers are very frugal with ink. I've had Canon and Lexmark printers, and they use twice as much ink as the HP.



I have a small, home-based business, and use my printer for everything from documents to color presentations to photos. Does a great job on all, and I'm proud to present my work printed on this printer.



I especially love the wireless capability. Sometimes I just want to get away from my desk (Windows XP computer) and work elsewhere on my laptop (Vista)...even in bed! Can send everything to the wireless printer and it's waiting for me in my office. It works equally well, and installed equally easily on both operating systems.



I would recommend this printer without reservation."

"After reading other reviews about this printer I was amazed about paper falling onto the floor. I have owned this printer for two months now and have had NO paper on the floor nor has it bowed. Those that have had this problem just need to flip up the paper stop and slide it back. Also sure the ink cost is a little high but in the long run it has actually saved me money considering the high volume per cartridge. This printer for me has been by far one of the best printers on the market. Good job HP for making a low budget high quality printer."

"[...] There IS an output paper tray for the papers that are done printing. If you look at the area/"shelf" where the papers exit, there is a part that you can slide out, and the tip pivots to act as a end-stop to prevent papers from making a mess on the floor. This may not be similar to an output tray you will see on a laser printer, but its as close to an output tray as you are going to get on inkjets these days, not to mention it serves the purpose it was intended to (prevent papers from falling on the floor!)To recap: there IS an output tray!"

"VERY HAPPY WITH THIS PRINTER, QUICK FOR A WIRELESS RESPONSE. THIS PRINTER IS 65FT. FROM THE LAPTOP AND ABOVE ON THE SECOND FLOOR. I WAS SURPRISED,VERY GOOD ON THE INK, THE ENVELOPE SET-UP IS GREAT AND VERY NEAT WHEN DONE PRINTING. THE GUIDES FOR THE ENVELOPE STAY WHERE YOU SET THEM UP. THIS ONE DOES NOT SLIDE OUT OF POSTION FROM VIBRATION. PAPER LOADS EASY ACCEPTS THE MINI USB MEMORY CHIP AND DOES WELL. WORTH THE MONEY FOR ME."