HP LaserJet Enterprise M506x: 1,200 sheets and separate direct printing review

Choose the x for its actual included inputs

The HP LaserJet Enterprise M506x suits a prepared commercial workgroup needing 1,200 ordinary sheets, automatic duplex and a touchscreen in the starting configuration. Included Ethernet and computer USB support the regular queue, while an integrated Wi-Fi Direct route serves compatible Android clients. The main caution is that direct wireless printing is distinct from joining an office Wi-Fi network and from the separate legacy HP Wireless Direct instructions.

HP's exact US record identifies F2A70A#BGJ and marks the model discontinued. This earlier review covers the documented 100–127-V, 60-Hz commercial Class A edition, without a stock, current-driver or used-condition promise. The color touchscreen controls a monochrome print-only printer; it does not provide color pages or a document scanner.

Manage three inputs as three real supplies

The x includes front Tray 1 for 100 sheets and two 550-sheet drawers. HP states their ordinary counts at 20 lb/75 g/m². Actual input-size columns support Letter, Legal and A4, giving 1,200 of a selected size when every included input contains it. Splitting forms, sizes or stocks divides that total.

Adjust each drawer's width and length guides before loading and keep below its full indicator. Use the tray markings rather than squeezing the guides tightly against the paper. HP warns against extending more than one tray at a time. The included third input uses the same loading procedure as Tray 2.

Legal requires squeezing the rear lever left of center and extending the drawer back. Its dust cover needs more rear space. Accept the panel's size and type only when they agree with the real stock; use Modify otherwise and match the computer job. Further trays and the cabinet are separate expansion choices.

Keep automatic duplex within the documented media path

The exact original x column includes the mechanism. The detailed M506 media table independently confirms Letter, Legal and A4 through automatic duplex, beyond the shorter US field's Letter/A4 listing. Use Finishing and Print on both sides in the compatible Windows driver, or the original HP OS X driver's Layout and Two-Sided binding choice.

For automatic letterhead printing, the front input takes it face down with the bottom entering first. A lower drawer takes it face up with the bottom at the front. Alternative Letterhead Mode is off by default; enabling it deliberately uses the duplex loading direction for both single- and two-sided work.

The lower and duplex paths are limited to 60–120 g/m². The front ordinary range extends to 200, but front-feed support does not make every material duplexable or preserve the nominal sheet count. HP also warns that its OS X driver duplex feature might not be available through AirPrint.

Distinguish the direct wireless names

The original model table explicitly includes integrated NFC and Wi-Fi Direct on M506x. In the actual mobile instructions, Wi-Fi Direct lists compatible Android devices using the HP app or embedded printing. Enable the relevant direct-printing function and connect the supported client to the printer's direct arrangement.

The same original separately lists Apple AirPrint under legacy HP Wireless Direct, alongside its other compatible clients. That is not evidence for assigning AirPrint to the Wi-Fi Direct route. NFC also needs an actually compatible NFC-printing device; a radio feature is not a universal phone workflow.

Infrastructure Wi-Fi still needs the optional Jetdirect 2900nw server. The integrated direct functions do not mean the printer can join the office access point as supplied. Verify that separate hardware requirement when ordinary wireless network membership is essential.

Use Ethernet for the confirmed network mobile arrangement

The exact US record lists AirPrint and Mopria certification. A supported local setup connects the printer by Ethernet and puts the compatible mobile client on the same reachable subnet through its access point. Rear computer USB and the front flash-drive host are separate routes.

The network mobile and Android Wi-Fi Direct arrangements have no independently confirmed paper-size, full-capacity, duplex or PIN promise here. They do not inherit those features from the computer driver. A generic USB AirPrint version caveat or historical cloud-service name also does not establish another included arrangement.

Release the computer job when present

The original includes 4 GB eMMC and positively supports private memory-stored jobs. Choose Personal Job with PIN protection in a compatible driver; the documented OS X routine uses four digits. On the touchscreen, open Retrieve from Device Memory, select the folder and job, enter the code and release the selected copies.

Personal Jobs delete after printing and are lost on power interruption, as explicitly stated in this original. Names may receive a number or replace a previous file, and space pressure can remove older work. The optional encrypted 500-GB disk is separate from this included temporary routine and is not assumed installed.

Finish the practical checks

The front flash-drive feature is disabled until an administrator enables Retrieve from USB. For up to ten envelopes, use only Tray 1 face up with the short postage end entering; select the actual size, Envelope type and Manual feed, send the job, then load as instructed.

HP recommends 2,000–7,500 monthly pages, distinct from 150,000 maximum duty. Original one-sided speed is up to 45 Letter pages per minute, separately 43 A4. CF287A and optional CF287X replacement yields differ from the approximately 6,000-page introductory cartridge in the box.

Closed dust-cover depth is 14.8 inches. Exact width, height and weight remain unresolved between original sources, so measure the actual assembly, Legal extension and full opening access. The smaller M506dn is a sensible comparison when 650 included sheets and wired operation already meet the routine.