Price cut at Office Depot and at Staples - $2,000 to $1,700

(Formerly written and published under the HP4500 category before the HP4550 category existed.)

INTRODUCTION

Has your HP Color Ink Printer run out of Ink? Are you dismayed by the $61 to $110 Ink replacement cost. Does this 'consumable' price seem out of line for a $250 printer? There are several options: 1. Remove the Color Cartridge and/or print "Greyscale"; 2. Return to 35mm Photography; or 3. Buy a Color Laser Printer.

With the HP Color Laser Printer 4500 color printing is more affordable now! For the price of a good quality Digital Camera, many users can escape the Ink Trap!

Brilliant output, FOUR times faster, network ready, 35,000 pages per MONTH, 400 sheet capacity, ample RAM, and computer compatability are features that can make the HP Color LaserJet 4550 let you forget about ink.

Get one now!

WebSites:

http://www.pandi.hp.com/
http://www.officedepot.com/
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THE NEW PRINTER

The HP Model 4550 has replaced the HP 4500 Color Laser Printer. The newer model is a souped up version of the original; including 233MHZ on board processor and 64 MB of Memory. Although this review concentrates on the basic HP 4550 model, there are considerably more options and the product family is more versatile. The best news yet is that HP offers a better product for $500 less. HP also offers an optional sturdy table/cabinet suitable for this printer.

Strange as it may seem, this relatively expensive product is finding demand among a market segment other than established businesses. A perusal of the other opinions on the HP Color LaserJet 4550 and the predecessor 4500 that have been published by Epinions and others would support this observation. As the prices of this type of printer have fallen, the "New Consumer" demand has risen to adopt it at the expense of ink printers. Your overview will give you a strong impression of the overall attitude of those who have expressed similar feelings about this product and/or may be using it already.

In essence, a better solution than ink printing is within reach of many. So-called CONSUMER products may have much better alternate markets than within the so-called HP BUSINESS Products Category. This notion is important because the particular CONSUMER addressed in herein is MORE AFFLUENT, ACCUMULATES CONSIDERABLE INFORMATION BEFORE BUYING, AND IS RELATIVELY INDIFFERENT TO PRICE. Such a consumer could easily afford to reject a CONSUMER oriented solution in favor of one aimed at PROFESSIONALS.

CAUTION: For home users, the HP 4550 Color Laser Printer may warrant a separate power circuit. The printer alone is rated at 470 Watts AVERAGE. HP specifies a circuit with minimum capacity of 16 AMPS at 120 VOLTS. Typical lighting/outlet circuits have 15 AMP Circuit Breakers. Have the wiring examined by a professional if in doubt. .

For those of you CONSUMERS who have already gotten the message, log out now and RUN, don't walk, to the nearest Office Depot, Best Buy or other HP reseller.

OTHER RESOURCES

Although the current $1,999 price* for the HP 4550 Color Laser Printer may seem out of reach for many, one might consider what else the modern consumer can obtain for the same price: a. Stereo Systems; b. Personal Computers; c. Large-Screen Televisions; or about 18 sets of ink cartridge replacements. There are other informative resources available to the reader. Supporting other product reviews, there are displays at retailers, trained personnel who specialize in selling these items, and websites on the Internet.

* At Best Buy and Office Depot. Discounts may be available.

The HP Website includes exhaustive information on Specifications, Operations, Prices, Options and Dealers. The HP 4550 Color Laser Printer and its options can be purchased directly from HP online.

FEATURES

The HP 4550 Color Laser Printer was designed for "WorkGroup" uses but comes out of the box ready to satisfy the most demanding Personal Computer users.

Options allow networking; completely network ready models (4550n/4550dn) are available. Output includes up to 8 1/2 x 14 sizes, automatic duplex printing allows images on both sides. Acceptable Media include multi-purpose, recycled, glossy paper, transparencies, labels and envelopes. Standard resolution is 600dpi, enhanced to 2400dpi black and photo quality.. Sizes range from 3.9x7.5" to 8.5x14"

All functions can be monitored in a good-sized and easy to read Control Panel that includes several menus. Data presented includes type of printing, current setup configurations and levels of consumables.

SIGNIFICANT SPECIFICATIONS (emphasis on HP 4550)from the HP Website

Print Speed rating; ppm (8 1/2 x 11 media, pages per minute):
16 Black, 4 Color

On Board Processor: 233 MHZ (was 133MHZ)
On Board Memory: 64 MB Standard (was 32 MB), 192 MB Max (was 208 MB)
IEEE 1284 bidirectional parallel Cable included in the box.

Duty Cycle: 35,000 pages per month
Paper Trays: 2 to 3 depending upon options.
Paper Input Capacity: 400 sheets

Copies per Toner Pack: Approximately 6,000 Color, 9,000 Black (HP Spec) -expect variations with uses.

The printer is compact but can completely contain materials for printing color and black images; the top forms an output area that will hold up to 250 sheets. That includes the four toner cartridges and the printing media. The footprint is 19.7 x 22.4 x 15.4 ("WxDxH) that would occupy a space slightly larger than that required for many ink printers. At 112 pounds, this printer needs a sturdy desk or table. (And a couple of strong backs. Most desks can support "standing loads" that exceed that of the printer.) The observed operating noise, if relatively constant as in workgroup use, is sufficient to warrant a sound buffered location separate from user work stations.

PRICES

Please see current reseller 4550 Color Laser Printer List prices for the Printer, its variations, Toner Packs, Drum.

CONCLUSION:

Above all, as a consumer advocate, I urge you to bypass the problematic inkjet printer and to purchase the HP4550 COLOR LASER PRINTER! Further, I would avoid the now obsoleted HP 4500 - some of which may still be on the shelf new or factory refurbished. Although the HP4550 appearance is formidable; it has a surprisingly small footprint - The basic model 4550 does weigh 112 pounds - you can have it delivered! Remember, if your time has value, this machine should pay for itself quickly.

And consider an extended warranty!
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Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 1,999
Operating System: Windows and Macintosh