HP has traditionally travelled down a unique design path compared to other inkjet manufacturers. The PhotoSmart P1100 is no exception. Paper is loaded via a sheet feeder underneath the unit. The P1100 also comes supplied with a duplex adapter for printing on both sides of plain paper automatically. Unlike most ink jet printers which claim to be photo-capable, HP sticks with three basic colour inks and black instead of adopting additional intermediate colour inks.

Still a rarity in inkjets, the P1100 includes memory cartridge slots for printing directly without having to involve a PC. Both SmartMedia and Compact Flash cards are catered for. A small LCD panel shows options and status for when using the printer without a PC. Parallel and USB ports are provided for connecting to a PC.

The P1100 is very quiet in operation and it's commendably quick - a 6x4 inch print is finished in under two minutes and an A4 print takes just over four minutes. Colour quality is good, as is sharpness and tonal reproduction. The P1100 is a good photo printer, but not an outstanding one like the Epson Stylus Colour Photo 870, or indeed the Canon BJC-8200. However, if you want an exceptionally good document printer as well as a good photo printer in one versatile package, the P1100 is well worth considering.