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HP has used the 5500dn base model to build several of its printers. The HP Color LaserJet 5500dn printer using LaserJet 5500dn compatible toner is one of these printers. With this version, HP has included their Jetdirect print server that allows an even faster connecting to Ethernet. Also included is a 500 sheet feeder tray in addition to the MP tray that is included in the base model. An optional stand is also available for the printer.

HP includes a 160 MB SDRAM in all the models of this printer. They can all be increased to the 544 max MB SDRAM. Additionally, a 10 GB hard drive may be added for more memory and to store often used documents. This is useful for watermarks and letterheads that are used often.

The print speed of this model has been increased to the 21 ppm speed for both monochrome and color prints. As is common there is a delay for the first sheet. That delay can range from 18 seconds for an already warmed up machine to 2 minutes for a machine that must be turned on from the cold. A power saving mode does kick in after some time and can delay the first print about 45 seconds.

For easy connection to most computers, HP has included a 400 MHz processor in this printer. The print driver is somewhat large and may take a while to install onto your computer, however the speed and the quality of prints are found to be worthwhile for most people.

The HP toner cartridge has in-line black or color prints which are applied directly to the paper in a 600 x 600 dpi for either type of print.

The printer as sold has two paper trays that hold a total of 600 pages. If more capacity is needed, an additional two trays can be added to bring the total capacity to 1,600 sheets. Envelopes can be fed through the MP tray with stacks of up to 20 envelopes being loaded at once. Paper from legal size to ledger size may be used for printing. In addition, transparencies, labels and card stock can be fed through the machine with little trouble.

The output tray holds 250 sheets of paper as standard equipment on the machine when purchased. It is not possible to add more capacity to this tray and sorters are not available for the printer.

This machine is capable of making two sided prints. The duplex printing capability allows these prints to be made without having to run the paper through a second time. You will have to staple prints yourself.

There is a one year standard onsite warranty included in the purchase price of the machine. Additionally, the machine is shipped with full toner cartridges installed for immediate printing. The package also includes the need software for installation of the machine with either PCs or Macs.