In several Asian countries, HP released a new multifunction printer, Photosmart C8180.

While printing on CD or DVD is not something astonishing in modern MFP, ability to actually write, or record disks is only embodied in this new device.

Photosmart C8180 in an inkjet printer capable of copying and faxing. The printing speeds of the reach 33 pages per minute in color and 34 pages per minute in monochrome mode. The resolutions supported are 4800 x 1200 dpi for color and 1200 dpi in black and white mode. The scanning module features resolution of 4800 x 4800 dpi.

HP Photosmart C8180 sports 3,5-inch color LCD, supports printing and recording on disks from most common memory cards: CompactFlash, Memory Sticks, SDHC, SD/MMC, xD-Picture Card.

The price of the printer varies from country to country and makes up $500-600.

The support of reading from CD and DVD seems reasonable as these disk formats are wide-spread. But the idea of recording from one convenient like flash card to less convenient media like CD doesn’t make sense to me. Looks like HP is testing in Asia if such device finds its user, before luanching the product in US and EU.