HP OfficeJet Pro K8600 A3+ Inkjet Printer Comments

This is an excellent printer, with one important proviso.

Currently (August 23 2008) the HP Datasheet series AA1-7140***.PDF for this machine shows a maximum custom print capability of 330 x 2540mm. However, the supplied printer driver only permits a maximum of 330 x 482mm. Please note that the displayed maximum print length of 2540mm shown by the majority of resellers, including Dabs and Amazon is incorrect. This is not the fault of resellers, who are wholly reliant on technical specifications passed to them by manufacturers.

This document error is currently present in all localised versions of the Data Specification sheet - ie French, German, Italian, Spanish, Finnish, Norwegian, Slovak, no name but a few. We have found 4,120 instances to date of this error.

This is an important issue since graphic design studios, such as ourselves, have an ongoing need to print out readers' spreads with a paper length greater then 482mm, but without the expense of a roll-feed machine. In our case we regularly output up to 300ppm on paper sized 330 x 660mm using a HP CP1700.

When purchasing a replacement printer we were guided entirely by the information displayed on the re-seller's site - Dabs.com in this particular instance. We received the machine on August 8 and immediately discovered the error. We are now involved in an interesting correspondance with both manufacturer and reseller.

Note to moderator: We have fully documented all correspondance, and published a website detailing all issues and current responses. We have notified the Trading Standards Authority, who are taking a keen interest. If you require full detail, please contact me directly.