I've been using my Z3100ps 24" since November 1, 2007. While I still feel it has an awkward, redundant driver with arbitrary complications (such as having to call the width the length when using a paper size such as 16x24), Qimage has come to my rescue, and I am beginning to feel that I have some control over the printer.
I love the ease of profiling and calibrating anything I throw at the printer, and I am very pleased with the results. I have printed up to 24x36, as well as a 60x12 panorama. I am really surprised at how neutral the grays are, compared to what I have seen on other printers. I also have not experienced problems with banding, roller marks, pizza-wheel tracks, etc. I am happy with my choice.
A few thoughts for improvement on future models, I guess, although I would buy a redesigned sheet-paper loader if HP came out with one:
1) Why on earth, other than cosmetics and ease of storage, is there no elevated ridge along the right side of the sheet loader, which would simplify the alignment of paper to avoid skew?
2) How about a clear explanation of how to use the APS profile editor? I'm not clear on what HP means by the "direction" in using the editor. Also, the split-image preview is not as easy to use and accurate as a two-window preview to judge the results on the whole image. In addition, inclusion of something more objective, such as some swatches, or even a GreytagMacbeth Color Checker, as well as an info pallet, would be more useful than just a photographic image.
3) How about making the technical papers on the HP website easier to find, and update them faster so as to reflect the current version of the driver and software? This is particularly important in terms of working with non-HP papers. It seems to me there could be less trial-and-error in choosing a paper type.
4) It seems somewhat tacky to throw in half-full cartridges in a $4500-plus printer.
All of these issues aside, this printer certainly gives the competition a real run for their money, and I am impressed with the results.
