Your needs, this model
Does it fit your priorities?
Can it print color A3 documents over Ethernet with 600 supplied sheets?
Yes, with a compatible driver and supported ordinary paper; two-sided printing is manual.
Explore this need in the finder →Does the n automatically print both sides of Tabloid sheets?
No. It does not include the automatic duplexer.
Explore this need in the finder →Does the original 160 MB n configuration support private-job PIN release?
No. It is below the original 192 MB minimum; optional memory is not assumed.
Explore this need in the finder →Large color documents without an automatic duplexer
The HP Color LaserJet 5550n is an earlier wide-format color printer for compatible computer and wired-network use. Its paper handling includes A3 and 11-by-17-inch Tabloid, alongside ordinary office sizes. That larger document range is its main reason to be considered instead of a Letter-only printer.
The n configuration is Q3714A. It includes networking and a 600-sheet ordinary input package, but automatic two-sided printing belongs to the related dn and dtn. A family photograph or a general duplex setting should not obscure that hardware distinction.
Choose around the largest sheet you actually need
The original guide explicitly lists A3 and Tabloid in the main cassette’s supported sizes. The multipurpose tray provides another documented route for those standard larger sheets. A supported large-format input is useful for spreadsheets, layouts or other documents whose page size matters.
Custom stock still has its own limits and software controls. The manual distinguishes the feeder’s physical range from the driver’s accepted width, and some unit conversions in its custom-size text are inconsistent. Use the explicit standard-size tables for a named requirement rather than treating the largest dimension as a promise for every workflow.
Manual two-sided handling is part of the n routine
The n does not include the automatic duplexer. Two-sided documents require manual handling through the supported procedure, including the correct orientation when refeeding. That can be acceptable for occasional work but becomes a recurring consideration when most output is duplex.
The original guide also excludes certain materials from manual two-sided handling. An envelope or label sheet should not be treated as ordinary paper simply because it fits a tray. Choose a model with the appropriate documented automatic path if large duplex documents are essential.
Know what the supplied capacity includes
A 100-sheet multipurpose tray and 500-sheet cassette total 600 ordinary input sheets. Extra feeders are optional on n. An earlier offer claiming expanded capacity should show the actual additional feeder and usable cassette, rather than relying on a maximum expansion number.
Envelopes use Tray 1 only, with a separate 20-envelope limit and specific orientation. Media type must agree between the panel and the driver. When moving back from specialty stock to ordinary paper, restore the appropriate settings instead of leaving a previous job’s media choice active.
Network capability and private-job memory are different questions
The included Jetdirect 620n card supplies Fast Ethernet, with computer USB and a parallel interface also documented. Wireless and faster network accessories remain options. Confirm a compatible current driver and network route; historical operating-system lists do not guarantee every present setup.
Private-job release has a separate limitation. The n’s original 160 MB total memory is below the guide’s 192 MB minimum for Private Job and Proof and Hold. The assessed base package therefore does not qualify for essential PIN retrieval. A verified memory upgrade changes the configuration and should be evaluated explicitly.
Quick Copy and permanent stored jobs have an additional disk requirement. A general job-storage heading or administrator password is not evidence that either the memory or disk needed for your chosen function is installed.
Check the complete earlier printer before choosing it
The 5550n is substantial equipment with four color supplies and separate maintenance components. Allow room for paper supports, cassette removal, service access and cables. Check the actual assembly, electrical plate and condition rather than treating regional voltage alternatives as universal input.
The maximum duty figure is not a routine-volume recommendation, and old supply yields are not toner remaining in an offer. Choose the 5550n when compatible wide-format color printing and the supplied paper package fit the work, with manual duplex and base-memory limitations understood.
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 | No |
| Automatic two-sided scanning | No |
| Single-pass two-sided scanning | No |
| Color scanning | No |
| Instructed envelope handling | Yes |
| Supported PIN-release printing | No |
| Maximum monthly duty | 120000 pages |
| Included ordinary-paper capacity | 600 sheets |
| Declared one-sided mono Letter rate | 27 pages/min |
| Declared one-sided color Letter rate | 27 pages/min |
| Unit-body height | 25.2 in |
| Unit weight | 114 lb |
| 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
Up to 27 Letter or 28 A4 printed ppm; no large-format/duplex throughput inferred. Maximum monthly duty 120,000 is separate from recurring recommendation. Exact n recurring recommendation is not established by the sources read here; dn values are not borrowed.
Paper handling
Included 100-sheet multipurpose plus 500-sheet cassette totals 600 ordinary input sheets, supporting Letter/Legal/A4/A3/Tabloid. n has manual two-sided printing; related dn/dtn duplexer is not included. Envelopes use Tray 1 only, up to 20 at no more than 105 g/m², face down/top left/short edge first. Original paper/table limits take precedence over inconsistent custom-size unit conversions. Duplex and simplex letterhead faces differ.
Scanning arrangement
Dedicated print-only machine; no scanner, original feeder, copying or fax. A print-paper feeder or Jetlink connection is not a scanner.
Computer and mobile connections
Included USB 1.1 computer connection, IEEE-1284-C parallel and Jetdirect 620n Fast Ethernet card. Parallel is outside this questionnaire connection set; no adapters assumed. Wireless/Gigabit/mobile accessories optional, AirPrint/Mopria and standard Wi-Fi Direct unestablished. Check current computer driver and actual installed cards.
Supplies and declared yields
Original supplies C9730A black and C9731A/C9732A/C9733A colors; brochure rates approximately 13,000 black/12,000 each color at 5-percent coverage, not a guaranteed yield or remaining supply. Transfer and region-specific fuser kits are separate maintenance parts.
Software and support
Original n includes 160 MB total memory, below the manual’s 192 MB minimum for Private Job/Proof and Hold. Base n therefore does not qualify PIN release. Verified memory upgrade would be a different assessed configuration; Quick Copy/permanent storage additionally requires optional disk. Use compatible driver with actual trays/duplexer and correct size/type/binding; historical OS lists are not current guarantees.
Electrical edition and setup
Earlier North American Letter configuration; original references list separate regional voltage editions, so actual offered mains remains unknown pending plate. No adjacent dn discontinued status or option suffix borrowed. Width/depth are unknown because axes in original brochure and guide differ; measure actual assembly and allow open-tray/service access.
Sources for this assessment
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