Your needs, this model
Does it fit your priorities?
Does the included dtn configuration qualify for color Tabloid printing, automatic duplex and 1,100 ordinary input sheets over Ethernet?
Yes, with earlier references enabled, an actually compatible driver and the documented standard-size paper, weight and orientation. Tray 3 and the stand are part of this dtn package.
Explore this need in the finder →Can it qualify when a standard computer USB connection is essential?
No. The supported modern questionnaire route is its included Jetdirect Ethernet card; the original parallel interface is not a USB interface and no converter is added.
Explore this need in the finder →Do the included extra feeder and RAM make private PIN printing standard?
No. The actual private-job storage procedure requires an installed, configured hard disk, which is not included with dtn.
Explore this need in the finder →A floor-standing color printer for an established wired office
The HP Color LaserJet 5500dtn makes sense when an office already has a compatible printing environment and needs larger paper without continually changing the only cassette. The documented dtn package adds a second 500-sheet cassette and stand to the networked, automatic-duplex configuration. That brings ordinary input to 1,100 sheets, while retaining A3 and 11-by-17-inch printing.
Its limits matter as much as that capacity. This is an earlier color print-only machine with a legacy wired setup, not a scanner or a modern USB and wireless all-in-one. HP's exact US reference identifies C9658A and explicitly marks the printer discontinued. That reference does not establish the condition, accessories or electrical edition of a particular unit offered today.
Check the actual trays before counting capacity
The included arrangement consists of 100-sheet Tray 1 and two 500-sheet cassettes, using the original guide's 75-g/m² ordinary-paper basis. Its named standard-size rows support Letter, Legal, A4, A3 and 11 by 17. Each of these documented ordinary sizes can use the assessed 1,100-sheet configuration; this is not a claim about arbitrary thick or custom stock.
The maximum custom-size rectangle is listed separately with a different capacity. Do not use that row to promise unrestricted loading of every sheet that happens to fit inside its dimensions. Select the correct paper size and type in the compatible driver, and set each cassette for its actual contents.
The stand and extra cassette are part of the dtn distinction. Another optional 500-sheet feeder, an optional disk and the 250-sheet output bin do not increase this model's included blank-paper count. Check the physical assembly rather than relying on a seller's family name. Allow room for withdrawing the large cassettes, opening doors and servicing the printer.
Automatic duplex includes the named larger sheets
The original two-sided paper table positively lists Letter, Legal, A4, A3 and 11 by 17. Its ordinary-paper range is 60–120 g/m², with a warning about results above the stated limit. A broader general media specification does not extend that automatic-duplex range.
After confirming that the driver recognizes the duplexer, choose the appropriate binding edge and documented feed orientation. The guide excludes rotated short-edge-first loading from this automatic routine. Specialty media such as labels and transparencies need their own supported path rather than being treated like ordinary two-sided office paper.
For envelopes, Tray 1 takes up to twenty. The documented loading is printable side down, top edge to the left and short edge toward the printer. Choose the envelope's actual size and source, align the guides and keep the stack within the loading marks. Do not send envelopes through automatic duplex.
The network card does not create modern wireless features
The dtn inherits the included Jetdirect 615N EIO wired-network card. The original instructions describe TCP/IP configuration, including DHCP and BOOTP. Printing a configuration page is a useful first step: inspect the actual card, installed accessories and network settings before choosing or configuring a driver.
The documented rear connections include legacy parallel and EIO hardware, without establishing a standard computer USB interface. No USB converter or replacement radio is added to this assessment. Ethernet alone also does not prove AirPrint, Mopria or Wi-Fi Direct. Those mobile arrangements remain unconfirmed.
Historical PCL and PostScript software lists describe the intended period environment. They do not guarantee operation on a present computer. Confirm a compatible driver, protocol and application before making this the only office printer.
Storage, speed and supplies need their own checks
The extra feeder does not supply confidential-job storage. The original private-job instructions require an installed and correctly configured hard disk before using the four-digit PIN retrieval routine. The dtn does not include the higher configuration's disk, so its base package fails an included-PIN requirement.
The original declaration is 21 Letter pages per minute and separately 22 A4 ppm, retained literally rather than exchanged or presented as our test. A verified recommended monthly range is not established here. HP's exact C9658A supplies row lists C9730A black at 13,000 pages and C9731A, C9732A and C9733A colors at 12,000 each, on standard A4 at five-percent coverage. Those historical yields are not remaining toner, modern ISO equivalence or a current running-cost quote. Verify the actual voltage plate, supplies and complete stand-and-feeder assembly before purchase.
Key details at a glance
| Color printing | Yes |
|---|---|
| Scanner | No |
| Copying | No |
| Fax | No |
| Flatbed scanner | No |
| Automatic document feeder | No |
| Automatic two-sided printing | Yes |
| Automatic two-sided scanning | No |
| Single-pass two-sided scanning | No |
| Color scanning | No |
| Instructed envelope handling | Yes |
| Supported PIN-release printing | No |
| Included ordinary-paper capacity | 1100 sheets |
| Declared one-sided mono Letter rate | 21 pages/min |
| Declared one-sided color Letter rate | 21 pages/min |
| Imaging engine | laser |
Use the exact model’s instructions for operating limits, supplied equipment and version differences.
Paper, software and setup details
Print-rate conditions
The original series declares 21 Letter ppm and separately 22 A4 ppm. These literal maker figures are not measured speed, duplex-image throughput or a recommended monthly workload. Exact dtn recommended monthly range and maximum duty remain unconfirmed.
Paper handling
Exact dtn adds one 500-sheet Tray 3 and stand to the 100-sheet Tray 1 plus 500-sheet Tray 2 configuration: 1,100 ordinary sheets on a 75-g/m² basis. Named Letter, Legal, A4, A3 and 11-by-17 standard rows support the included inputs; maximum custom-size capacity is a separate restriction. Automatic duplex explicitly supports those five standard sizes at 60–120 g/m² with the stated caution above that range and no rotated short-edge-first routine. Envelopes: up to twenty in Tray 1, face down, top left, short edge toward printer; never duplex. Optional Tray 4 and output capacity are excluded.
Scanning arrangement
Dedicated four-color laser printing configuration, without a scanner, copier, document feeder or fax. Network and control-panel functions do not establish document capture.
Computer and mobile connections
Included Jetdirect 615N EIO Ethernet card, with documented TCP/IP, BOOTP and DHCP setup. Legacy parallel, EIO and FIR interfaces do not establish a standard computer USB route. No optional converter, wireless device or infrared accessory is assumed. AirPrint and Mopria remain unconfirmed; no infrastructure Wi-Fi or standard Wi-Fi Direct plan is established.
Supplies and declared yields
HP exact C9658A row lists C9730A black at 13,000 pages and C9731A cyan, C9732A yellow and C9733A magenta at 12,000 each, using standard A4 at 5% coverage. These replacement declarations do not establish supplied toner remaining, modern ISO equivalence, current stock or cost per page.
Software and support
Use an actually compatible desktop driver and network arrangement; inspect a configuration page and configure installed trays, duplexer and binding edge. Historical PCL/PostScript and OS lists are not guarantees for current computers. All original job-storage/private-PIN functions expressly require an installed, correctly configured hard disk. That disk is not included with dtn, despite its included RAM; base secure PIN is false.
Electrical edition and setup
Exact US C9658A reference explicitly discontinued; no regional option suffix is invented. The original guide lists separate 100–127 V and 220–240 V, 50/60 Hz editions without an established exact electrical crosswalk for this unit. Confirm the actual voltage plate and stand/Tray 3 assembly. Generic and accessory-assembly dimension tables are not turned into an independently verified exact dtn body limit; allow operating and service clearance.
Sources for this assessment
- HP exact US Color LaserJet 5500dtn C9658A identity and discontinued notice
- HP original 5500 series Swedish User Guide, C9656-90921, September 2002
- HP original 5500 series Korean User Guide, C9656-90914, September 2002
- HP original exact printer model-number list
- HP original color printer supply identities and declared yields
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