HP LaserJet Pro M501dn: 650-sheet wired monochrome printing with automatic duplex review

A wired monochrome queue with a substantial standard drawer

The HP LaserJet Pro M501dn suits a commercial computer queue needing black documents, included automatic duplex and 650 ordinary sheets before adding another feeder. Gigabit Ethernet and computer USB are standard. Its deciding condition is private printing: the advertised PIN feature requires separately purchased USB storage and setup, so it is not treated here as an included, immediately usable capability.

This review covers the exact US J8H61A#BGJ configuration, documented for 100–127 VAC at 60 Hz. The separate 220–240-V edition is not dual voltage. HP identifies Class A commercial emissions rather than residential suitability. The surviving exact US page establishes a reference configuration, not stock, price or the condition of a particular machine.

Count the two included inputs before considering expansion

The front multipurpose input holds 100 ordinary sheets and the main cassette 550, giving 650. The optional F2A72A feeder adds another 550; the promoted 1,200-sheet maximum assumes that purchase. It is not what the standard dn includes.

Letter, Legal and A4 are supported in both included inputs. Their full selected-size reserve assumes both hold that stock. Keeping forms at the front while the drawer holds plain paper is useful, but divides the available count between those jobs.

The original front count uses 75-g/m² paper and a maximum stack height of 10 mm. Open the extension, keep below the fill line and let the guides touch without bending the stack. Do not add or remove front paper during printing. Adjust the drawer guides to the actual size before loading and keep below its full indicator.

Legal needs an additional physical step: squeeze the rear drawer lever and extend the back. The rear dust cover lifts for that longer stock. Allow working clearance beyond the closed body instead of assuming Legal fits within its quoted depth.

Set duplex in the actual computer driver

The dn includes automatic duplex. In the compatible Windows driver, open Finishing and select Print on both sides. The original Mac HP-driver routine instead uses Layout and a Two-Sided binding choice; it warns that this feature might not be available through AirPrint.

The exact model's separate datasheet positively documents A4 automatic duplex at up to 34 images per minute. That is distinct from 43 one-sided A4 ppm and 45 one-sided Letter ppm. The confirmed automatic-duplex size entry here is A4; other selected duplex sizes remain unconfirmed by this reading. An input accepting a size does not alone establish the automatic return path.

For preprinted stock, the original front duplex orientation is face down with the bottom entering first; its lower drawer uses face up with the bottom at the front. Those differ from the one-sided directions. When supported media require manual duplex, follow the exact driver routine. The original Mac procedure removes blank front paper and returns the printed stack with printed sides down.

Suitable envelopes use only the front input, up to ten, face up with the short postage end entering first. Set the actual envelope size, type and Manual feed in the driver before loading when prompted. The front's 60–200-g/m² range and lower 60–120-g/m² range are input limits, not automatic-duplex approval for every medium.

Budget the hardware and preparation for PIN release

The original requires a dedicated USB 2.0 flash drive with at least 16 GB free, installed in the rear Host port. This differs from the USB printing port for a computer. Removing that flash drive disables job storage.

Installing it prompts the panel to format it for storage; preserve anything needed elsewhere first. Then update the Windows printer's Device Settings with Update Now so Job Storage appears. The original requires Universal Print Driver 5.9.0 or later when that driver is used. Check a compatible present-day driver rather than assuming the old operating-system list guarantees current installation.

Personal Job can require a PIN entered under Stored Jobs at the panel. That mode deletes the job after printing and loses it on power loss. Stored Job has a different retention behavior. Duplicate-name choices can overwrite files, and a full drive requires deleting existing jobs before accepting more. None of this makes the printer a dependable document archive.

Keep local mobile printing and supply expectations specific

AirPrint and Mopria are documented. The separate local arrangement uses printer Ethernet and a compatible client reaching that same network through its wireless router or access point. This does not add a radio to the printer. Mobile paper size, input capacity, duplex and PIN remain unconfirmed here.

The original's AirPrint USB passage gives a version-dependent warning, so it is not converted into a blanket USB compatibility promise or prohibition. The confirmed mobile route here stays on the local network. No retired cloud service is promised, and generic connection instructions mentioning wireless do not establish included Wi-Fi.

The exact US box lists an introductory black cartridge at approximately 6,000 pages. Replacement CF287A is declared at approximately 8,550 and CF287X at 18,000 under the maker's yield conditions; those are not installed remainder or guaranteed document counts. EconoMode may reduce toner use and print quality, and HP discourages continuous use.

Recommended monthly use is 1,500–6,000 pages, distinct from maximum duty of 100,000. The body is about 14.8 inches deep and 11.38 high, weighing 25.6 lb; width remains unresolved between the original guide and current US figures. Allow the US maximum opened depth of about 25.16 inches plus service access. If included PIN storage or wireless is essential, choose a configuration that expressly includes it.