Photosmart A626

HP's good-value A626 boasts touch screen operation with its supplied plastic stylus, plus the ability to produce both 6x4in and 5x7in prints.

Its black design and handbag-sized dimensions, complete with carry handle, are reminiscent of a mini ghetto blaster. The 4.8in LCD is both large and clear, and the A626 uses HP's Vivera ink set.

Flip down the front and four separate card slots are revealed, along with a USB port for connecting PictBridge-enabled digital cameras (you'll have to supply your own cable). Next to these sits a compartment for front-loading the printer cartridge. If you need Bluetooth, an adapter is available.

There's nothing fiddly about the HP A626. Touchscreen operation is generally something you love or hate, but here HP cuts the number of buttons and controls required, affording the A626 a minimalist appearance and user-friendly operation.

The stylus allows you to get creative, doodling on your images and erasing any unwanted scribbles. You can also crop images, remove red-eye and adjust photo brightness.

While fun to use, the A626 isn't the quickest printer here. It delivers a 6x4in print in 90 seconds that's still wet to the touch.

On the plus side, there's plenty of detail and HP's Premium Plus Photo Paper provides a lovely velvety texture -- although the blacks aren't quite as deep and well-defined as they are on Epson's photo printers. The colours, though rich, are a little over-saturated.