I have an HP Photosmart C5180 all-in-one network printer. It’s not an old model. HP is happy to still sell me overpriced supplies, for instance. I generally like the thing, it gets the job done. I don’t have demanding printing needs, really. Of course it complains about being low on ink far too often, and the ink costs too much, and all the other things people complain about with every printer out there.
My main complaint? No Windows 7 drivers. HP still has no Win7 drivers for any of their printers or all-in-ones. And they’re not alone. I don’t see Win7 drivers for Epson or Lexmark, or a host of other peripheral manufacturers, either.
Why is this a problem? Doesn’t my printer print using the drivers built into Windows 7? Yes, it does. Win7 did an amazingly good job of just finding my network printer in seconds and spitting out prints. But it’s basic. If you want full control over your printer, like checking ink levels and such, you need the HP software. You need the HP software for the scanner to work over the network with your PC (you can always scan and dump to an SD card or something). In most cases you don’t get support if you’re not using the manufacturer drivers, or installing them will be the first thing support will tell you to do.
What’s the hold up? I’m sure HP’s company line is that they’ll have drivers when Windows 7 is available. Not good enough. Certainly that philosophy isn’t good enough for their notebooks, which list Windows 7 32- and 64-bit drivers on a whole host of models.
First of all, Windows 7 is available. I have a legal, full, final copy right now. TechNet and MSDN subscribers have access for weeks, which is how I got it.
More importantly, the general public has had access to Windows 7 beta since early January. The whole point of this beta is for users to test out their hardware and software with Windows and find the problems. Sometime between beta and release, HP (and everyone else) is supposed to release their Windows 7 drivers so the public can try them out and report problems. This is how a company releases really solid drivers right at the release of a new OS. It is almost impossible to really get the kinks out with just your internal testing, and the resulting support calls can kill profits. AMD and Nvidia have figured this out, and have been shipping and updating Windows 7 drivers throughout the beta process.
So get with the program, HP. Win7 is “hot” right now. You should have a big badge on the front page that says “Ready for Windows 7. Get your Windows 7 drivers and support here!” It should take you to a whole page themed and dedicated to owners of HP products, all of them, getting Windows 7 drivers and support. That’s what we like to call an “obvious marketing opportunity.” And if Windows 7 rolls around and there’s no proper driver for my not-at-all-old-and-should-still-be-supported product, I guess you’ll lose my future business.
#1 by Roger on August 29, 2009 - 10:04 am
I plugged in my All-in-One PSC 1315 into my MBP running Windows 7 RC and it did find the (basic)driver for it. I tried it with Snow Leopard and no driver support, which is strange considering it did worked in Leopard before.
#2 by Bill on August 29, 2009 - 10:40 pm
Wasn’t this the case for HP when Vista came out? From what I recall it was several months after Vista’s release when HP drivers were available. I believe it was this very issue with an HP multifunction printer that drove Chris Pirillo to use Macintoshes. Granted he is one person but a very vocal one at that (and one with an audience).
The more things change etc etc…good luck Jason!
#3 by Tim Verry on September 9, 2009 - 1:45 am
I had the same problem with my HP All in One printer with Vista, and I never got Vista drivers, so I’m not exactly holding my breath on Windows 7 support
. Hopefully HP steps up and supports your printer thou!
#4 by Dave on September 12, 2009 - 5:56 pm
Well old chap, this is not unusual. They are so lazy and so price orientated that they have not released the Win 7 drivers for their notebooks either. They just do not want anyone to update their old HP machines with Win 7 before they have sold a few. They may twitter on about “testing” and getting it right but come on – where do they think we all live – in cookoo land!
#5 by Jon on October 8, 2009 - 5:25 pm
I’m not happy either with HP for not having drivers for Windows 7 for their printers. Mine too is a new all in one and there is no driver for it. If the driver is not on their site Oct 22 then I will probably quit buying HP products too. I’ve already quite buying their overpriced desktops and laptops. Come on HP get with the program.
#6 by Robert Hatcher on October 21, 2009 - 8:03 am
Windows 7 Home Premium. 22 October 2009
I have loaded a clean copy of windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit pre-ordered then windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit on my modern 2.50GHz Core 2 Duo powered Mesh with 4GB of RAM. computer purchased last December 2008 but I am disappointed with its compatibility it will not run the following hardware Logitech QC V11.8 Webcam, TVB GO T2PRO TV Dogle, HP SCANJET 5400c Scanner, HP 924c Printer, and DELL 924 all in one Printer. I have checked for windows 7 drivers but cannot find them. I hope the manufacturers will do some updates in the future. I like windows 7 for speed easy to use and layout. It is a pity that you did not include the windows XP Mode on Home Premium.
I have now put Windows XP back and all is running fine.
I am thinking of partitioning my hardrive and loading windows 7 as a separate OS system.
Looking forward to some good updates in the future.
Bob Hatcher
#7 by David Scott on October 27, 2009 - 2:01 pm
There are also no drivers available for Brother all in ones.
You can print laser just fine inc. bells and wissels, But Win 7 sees no scanner. Pethetic
#8 by PH on February 9, 2010 - 9:44 am
I am disgusted with HP’s lack of support. I have a great laser jet printer that will not print with Windows 7. Microsoft is no box of chocolates either. The support from all of these manufacturers leaves a lot to be desired.
#9 by Susan C on April 6, 2010 - 5:12 pm
I can’t use my HP 1012 with Windows 7. Is there any chance HP will provide support to allow use of it? Not even the disk that came with the printer works with Windows 7.
#10 by Mukhtar on April 22, 2010 - 10:38 pm
I cant install the Hp laser jet M1319f MFP on windows 7, i need driver for windows 7
#11 by Tia Gray on May 6, 2010 - 10:36 pm
I’m pretty much impressed with the stability of Windows 7. It is better than windows Vista which hogs my memory and cpu.-*;