Product:
Price:
Intended Users:
M553 Series
$600-$1,200
Medium workgroups
Speed Color:
Processor:
Memory:
40ppm
1.2GHz
1GB
Product Overview
The new Hewlett-Packard Color LaserJet Enterprise M553 series joins the single-function color printer lineup, aimed at medium-sized workgroups that need speedy color printing. They print at up to 40ppm in both black and color with a first-page-out time of 7 seconds in color.
There are three configurations:
- The M553n ($600) is the base model. It includes standard Ethernet networking, a 100-sheet multipurpose tray, and a 550-sheet input tray.
- The M553dn ($800) provides standard automatic duplexing, is Energy Star certified, and includes an Hardware Integration Pocket for solution integration.
- The M553x ($1,200) includes all of the features of the other two configurations, plus adds an additional 550-sheet tray as standard, wireless direct/NFC connectivity, and an adjustable 4.3″ color touchscreen.
The M553 series is among the newest HP printers with its new JetIntelligence, a new toner cartridge technology that delivers higher page yields with less internal wear (requiring less heat to melt). The JetIntelligence cartridges also has anti-fraud features that can identify fake cartridges and allows companies to set printing policies for printing cost management.
More details on these devices is in our Features section below.
The M553 Series provides scalable options for the medium-sized offices looking for a fast and affordable printer. We’re especially impressed with the JetIntelligence technology that provides higher page yields and anti-fraud features.
Features
The M553 series start with an 1.2GHz processor and 1GB of memory (with optional expansion to 2GB). Hard disk drive is optional. PCL, PostScript, and PDF direct printing are supported. USB and Ethernet are standard. Wireless direct/NFC is standard only on the M553x; optional on the other two configurations. All three configurations support mobile printing via HP ePrint and Apple AirPrint.
There is a 4-line color LCD control panel on the M553n and M553dn that includes a 10-key pad and 19 buttons for specific workflows. As noted above, the M553x has a 4.3″ color touchscreen.
On the M553n and M553dn, paper handling starts with a 550-sheet tray and a 100-sheet multipurpose tray. HP offers up to three additional 550-sheet trays as options. The M553x adds an additional 550-sheet tray as standard with the option of adding two more 550-sheet trays. Maximum paper capacity is 2,300 sheets. Automatic duplexing (40ipm) is standard on the M553dn and M553x; optional on the M553n.
Output is a 250-sheet bin. There are no finishing options. The maximum monthly duty cycle is 80,000 pages but HP recommends an average of 2,000 to 6,000 pages per month.
The printers are both Windows- and Mac-compatible. Warranty is only for one year.
The M553 series is shipped with four toner cartridges (CMYK) that yields at 6,000 pages for black and 5,000 pages for each color. Replacement cartridges has much higher page yields: 12,500 pages for black and 9,500 pages for each color. Based on these higher yields, we calculate the cost-per-page as 1.7 cents in black and 10.9 cents in color. That is very remarkable. The initial costs of the replacement cartridges may be high, but with the JetIntelligence toner cartridges and higher page yields, users still save money in the long run.
- Automatic Document Feeder?
- Duplexing?
- Ethernet Connectivity?
- Wireless Connectivity?
- Mobile Printing/Scanning?
- Finishers?
Shortcomings
The paper trays does not accept ledger-sized paper (11″ x 17″).
About
Hewlett-Packard (HP) needs little introduction in any discussion of printers, a market in which it exercises commanding leadership. HP has become a leader in connectivity for its printers, offering a variety of internal and external options. In addition to a variety of servers, many that are Web-ready, HP offers Wireless Ethernet (Wi-Fi or IEEE 802.11b or g) and Bluetooth wireless protocols. In general, the company offers the widest variety of connectivity options in the business.
In addition to printers and MFPs, HP also sells scanners, PCs/laptops, servers, and software.
Ink jets: HP manufactures and sells an extensive lineup of ink jet printers. In addition, it sells one of the few ink jet printers that we classify as “business class,” that is, printers that really have a place in a business environment. The definition of “business class” for us is narrower than that used by HP itself, and it includes the availability of several of the following: networking and automatic duplexing, decent speed at office resolution (600dpi), PCL and/or PostScript, and more than minimal paper supplies. A few HP ink jet models now compete with its own and others’ laser models, and we expect to see more and more advances in this area.
