HP Deskjet 6540 Printer

HP Deskjet 6540 Printer Review

The HP Deskjet 6540 is a versatile and durable inkjet printer that was particularly popular in homes and small offices during its release. This printer stands out for its combination of quality, speed, and affordability, making it a reliable option for users seeking an economical printing solution.

Design and Build

The HP Deskjet 6540 sports a rather utilitarian design typical of early 2000s printers. Its outer shell is made of sturdy plastic, giving it a robust feel. The printer’s dimensions are moderate, allowing it to comfortably fit on most desks without consuming excessive space. There are few buttons on its control panel, which gives it a simplistic and minimalist appearance, and these controls facilitate the basic functions required for everyday printing tasks. A front USB port is conveniently available for easy connectivity.

Print Quality

This printer is known for delivering admirable print quality, particularly for text documents. It boasts a print resolution of up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi, giving it the capability to produce crisp and clear documents. While the Deskjet 6540 is not specifically designed for photos, it performs reasonably well in this area for an inkjet of its category, displaying vivid colors and good detail on glossy paper. This makes it suitable for occasional photo prints along with high-quality text documentation.

Performance and Features

In terms of speed, the HP Deskjet 6540 is quite impressive, rated at up to 30 pages per minute for black-and-white prints and 20 pages per minute for color prints. These speeds are competitive for a printer of its time, and it performs efficiently for both small and large print jobs. One of its notable features is the automatic duplex printing, allowing users to print on both sides of the paper without needing manual intervention, which can save time and paper, contributing to reduced operational costs and environmental footprint.

Connectivity and Compatibility

The printer is equipped with both USB 2.0 and parallel connectivity options, allowing it to interface with a variety of devices from its era. It’s compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, though users in modern setups may need additional drivers or workarounds due to the printer’s age. Despite the lack of networking capabilities, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet, its direct connect options provide stable and uninterrupted operation.

Consumables and Maintenance

The HP Deskjet 6540 uses a dual ink cartridge system, with separate black and tri-color cartridges, which can be easily replaced. The cost of these consumables is standard for inkjet printers, and HP provides high-yield alternatives for users who print in larger volumes. While it requires occasional maintenance, such as cleaning the print heads to avoid clogs, users will find this process straightforward and manageable.