The latest high end HP all-in-one printers have fixed ink jets and separate ink cartridges. Both types of HP printers, ink jets on the cartridge and fixed print heads, can be found. Clogging of ink jet heads has always been a big problem and that is why initially, HP started with the print head on the cartridge. It was a patented feature. Later, HP develped a way to keep fixed print heads clear, and then they began to introduce fixed print head printers. Your grainy prints can have two root causes: 1) Poor scan and resultant poor file; 2) Poor printing of a good or bad file. I have an HP flat bed scanner that is going on 10 yrs old and that is the one I rely on when I need to have total control of a scan. it has a rugged mechanism and still produces excellent results. My last two HP all-in-one printers have done excellent work when copying photos. Both of these have fixed print heads. The alignment sensor failed on my first HP all-in-one otherwise I'd still be using it. I can't complain. I had run 11,700 pages through it. I discovered that the ink cartridges were being phased out for this printer (type 02) do I decided to update to a later printer. Glad I did. Although there are fewer cartridges, color prints are just as good and the ink has better smudge resistance.

Seems like you may have a corrupt file or two. First thing I would do is shut down the computer and restart to see if that clears the issue. Second I would remove the software, remove the connection to the printer and re-install as per HP instructions, reconnecting when the software tells you to do so.

I really like laser printers unless you do color, but if you do a lot they're still cheaper and less hassle than inkjets. I like the space savings of an all-in-one and looked at one at Target. I'm curious about the Kodak printers. They're comparable in price to HP but the ink is much cheaper than others. That's one of their advertisements. Don't know anyone personally who has one but the reviews I've read have been favorable. I have a Brother HP2040 laser and it's great, but of course it's black only. I also have an old Epson inkjet that I bought for $3 at a garage sale but it's not working right - ink dried up from non-use. I go in streaks where I'll print 100 sheets or more in a couple days, then won't print anything for 4 or 5 months. Bought the laser right when I was required to do a lot of printing for work but that changed shortly after I got the printer! But I don't regret getting it. I still have need for faxing on occasion so I would want the fax capability in it, and I think the copier function would be handy. I usually use a scanner and printer for quick copies. And use my XP unit for faxing from the computer on occasion or receiving if need be and I have a fax machine for sending too. Way more than you wanted to know, huh? LOL I'll say this about HP. Generally they're good quality but they have big issues with drivers and software. They can really make a mess out of a machine when things go wrong. I've had to straighten out a lot of units and HP is far more problematic in this regard than others. However, when they work properly they're usually pretty good units. But from my experiences I'd personally avoid them. I'd rather work on their problems when I'm billing for it rather than my own time.

Just bought a hp photosmart premium wireless print scan copy and so far I'm loving it. Finger swipe touchsmart to find what you want to do. Copies two sides, all you do is turn the original page over on the copier. Love that too. Only have seen one picture from it. Very nice so far. Takes a camera card and fixes things right at the machine. We walk around with the laptop and print stuff from all over the house. I really like it so far. the ink isn't that big, typical size, but half the price of my last printer. The only weird thing about it is the sounds it makes. grunts growls bumps and thumps. I think it's chewing in there. It's entertaining tho. Bought it at Best Buy.