The Epson Stylus 580 ink-jet printer represents quintessential simplicity. Plug it in and load the paper. There are no buttons or switches on its streamlined body. It's compact, very easy to use, and delivers crisp and colorful printing with 1,440 x 720 dpi resolution. Exclusive Micro Piezo ink-jet technology produces vivid colors--ideal for greeting cards, Web pages, school assignments, and business projects. Remarkably light, quiet, and small in design, the 580 offers convenient USB connectivity with printer software for most Windows or Macintosh systems with just a click of the mouse.
To set up the 580, we loaded the software and then dropped in the two ink cartridges. With no buttons, the front panel, which normally controls paper feed, power on/off, or ink loading, is designed instead for simplicity; we did, however, miss having any manual options.
In our tests, we tried several paper types and weights without the paper jamming. On the other hand, there was no obvious way to open the unit to remove the pesky torn corner that inevitably gets stuck. The 580 handles photo paper, heavyweight matte paper, photo-quality film and paper, transparencies, self-adhesive sheets, envelopes, and more.
Text results were very sharp, and color graphics vivid. Initial photo prints were faded, but we used the photo-enhancement setting in the driver software to improve brightness and contrast. Still, the 580 isn't ideal for printing color photographs. The printer runs quietly enough to permit phone conversation nearby.
The 580 accepts loads of up to 100 sheets or 10 envelopes and prints up to 30 pages of output at a time. Measuring only 8.28 by 6.3 by 17 inches, it saves desk or counter space, and weighs in at only 6 pounds.
With the 580, you can expect 150 to 180 pages of printing before replacing your cartridges. You can track how much ink you have left with the onscreen progress display during printing. The 580 prints black text at up to 6 ppm and color text at up to 2.5 ppm in quick-drying and smudge-proof inks.
The 580's thorough and useful owner's guide will answer most basic questions and help troubleshoot simple problems. The ArcSoft PhotoPrinter 2000 software included with the printer offers quick, fun ways to edit or print photos in a variety of sizes. --David Greenberger
Pros:
- Light and compact
- Easy setup and operation
- Versatile paper options
Cons:
- No front control panel
- Not designed for high-volume photo printing
Amazon.com Product Description
The Epson Stylus 580 ink-jet printer is a compact, affordable, and very easy-to-use printer. It delivers sharp, colorful home printing with 1,440 x 720 dpi resolution. The Micro Piezo ink-jet technology and ultrasmall droplets produce great-looking greeting cards, Web pages, homework assignments, and reports on virtually any paper. It prints black text at up to 6 ppm and color text at up to 2.5 ppm. The ink is quick drying and smudgeproof.
The 580 offers convenient USB connectivity. Its printer software installs on most Windows or Macintosh systems through a simple one-click process. It comes with ArcSoft PhotoPrinter 2000 software that offers a quick, fun way to edit or print photos in a variety of sizes.
The 580 is backed by a one-year limited warranty.