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Hewlett-Packard Color LaserJet 2550 Printer Series
The HP Color LaserJet 2550 Series is included in this review as it is
representative of the entry-level 8.5” x 14” color laser models you will
compete against. The base HP CLJ 2550L has a SRP of $499 and is
available in multiple configurations:
At first glance it looks like an easy decision: Spend $50 more than a G700 and get laser output quality,
right? The HP CLJ 2550 Series offers some impressive specifications, like a 30,000-page monthly
volume, large standard/maximum RAM capacities, PCL and PostScript 3 emulation, connectivity to
Macintosh, and “Instant On” technology for near zero warm-up times. Let’s look a little closer.
For $50 more than a G700 (more if the customer is considering the Ln or n versions), the customer
gets:
• 4-ppm color output speed versus full-color output speeds up to 20-ppm on the G700.
• First print times three times longer than the G700.
• True 600 x 600-dpi resolution versus 1200-dpi on the G700
• 125-sheet standard paper supply. This may be upgraded to a maximum of 875 sheets, but there is
no Bypass available for the productive printing onto special stocks, envelopes, etc.
• No duplex printing capabilities which come standard on the G700.
• A stock weight limit of 47 lb. Bond versus 90 lb. Index on the G700.
• A printer that is the same size, but twice the weight, and consumes 10 times the energy as the G700.
Now let’s compare technology differences and their effect on cost. The CLJ 2550 uses a single drum
design with an internal carousel into which four separate toner cartridges are inserted. This accounts
for the drop-off in speed when producing color pages. But what about cost?
HP CLJ 2550 CPP and expense factors (consumables only):
Not only are the CPP factors for the HP CLJ 2550 higher than for Ricoh solutions, but after every
4,000 color prints the customer must spend $297 to replace three color toner units, and then another
$83 for the Black cartridge shortly thereafter. Plus, the drum must be replaced after every 20,000
monochrome prints or 5,000 full-color pages at a cost of $173. So after every 5,000 full color pages
produced (that’s just 1/6 the maximum monthly volume rating), the customer must spend another
$553 to keep their non-duplex capable CLJ 2550 Series machine running in top condition. For that,
they could buy another G700 and a full set of supplies!
2550 $599 Non-networked
2550Ln $899 Networked (wired)
2550n $1,099 Networked (wired) + 700-sheet Paper Tray 2 + Duplexing
Consumable Yield Price CPP Total CPP
Black Toner 5,000 pages $83 $0.0166 $0.0252
Black Drum Yield 20,000 pages $173 $0.0086
CMY Toners 4,000 pages ea. $99 each $0.0247 x 3 = $0.0742 $0.1088
CMY Drum Yield 5,000 pages $173 $0.0346