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ART7
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1993-02-27
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╓─────────────────╖
║ Hewlett-Packard ║
║ DeskJet 550c ║
║ Color Printer ║
╙─────────────────╜
by Tony Curro
Several years ago I purchased a PaintJet. It was a good, solid
printer. The only thing I hated was the pin-fed paper. HP replaced
it with the PaintJet XL. Now they have the XL 300, the DeskJet 550c
(IBM), and DeskWriter 550c (Macintosh).
This is NOT a dot-matrix printer. It is an inkjet printer, which
uses two ink cartridges black and color. The two are placed in the
printer at the same time.
It is not a big unit, measuring 17.5W X 8.2H X 15.3D, and weighing
in at 14.5 lbs.
Installation is basically plug-and-play. It supports both serial and
parallel interfaces. It comes with drivers for MS Windows 3.1, and
for several DOS applications. These are very easy to install, and
you are guided each step of the way. Without reading and
documentation, except for the filename for the Windows install, I
was up and printing in color in less than 20 minutes.
The color is very pleasing, and does add to the presentation of your
documents. I have printed letterheads that do look much better in
color, than in standard black.
I have Print Shop Deluxe for DOS, which has a built-in driver for the
DJ 500c. I had no problems printing with it, and doing a very good
job. The quality was really outstanding.
The paper tray holds 100 sheets of paper or 20 envelopes. There is
only one paper tray and you cannot mix media. To print an envelope
you must first remove the paper, and vice versa. There is an
adjustment bar that you move to select the media in use. The power
switch and the two banks of dip switches are conveniently located in
the front of the unit.
DeskJet 550c has two cartridge slots. These can be used for fonts or
for RAM. The printer has an 80K receive buffer. You can add up to
two 256K cartridges to expand your memory an additional 512K. This
should cut down on big print jobs. However, as is, you can print
full page graphics without the addition of memory. Currently there
are over a dozen font cartridges that you can use.
Some of the features of the Hewlett-Packard DeskJet 550c includes:
Resolution
Letter Quality -- 300 x 300 dpi
Draft Quality -- 300 x 150 dpi
Print Speed
MS Windows
Black Ink
Presentation Mode -- 1 page per min. (PPM)
Normal - 2 PPM
Draft - 3 PPM
DOS
Letter Quality - 167 cps at 10 cpi
Draft - 240 cps at 10 cpi
MS Windows
Full Page Color
Presentation Mode - 7 Minutes per page (MPP)
Normal - 4 MPP
Draft - 3 MPP
DOS
Depends on document, software, and configuration
Reliability
1,000 total pages per month maximum, Up to 160 pages per
month of color printing.
12,000 printed pages per year.
The DeskJet 550c comes with the following built-in fonts: Courier,
CG Times, Letter Gothic, Univers, for DOS. Windows fonts do not
include Gothic, but it has Symbol.
For best performance it is suggested to use paper with a weight
between 16-36 lbs. There is also a special paper sold by HP, the LX
JetSeries, is made for their color printers. It is sold in pin-fed
and single sheet. A pack of single sheet 250 pack, sells in the
street for around $18.00. There is a difference in the output, but I
do not think it is worth the additional cost, although some color
jobs may be better on HP paper. This would depend on the individuals
need.
DeskJet 550c does come with drivers for WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS.
However, only the text will print in color. You cannot print the
color graphics in WP in color. You never could. I have complained to
WP about this. If you are purchasing this printer, and use WP, I
would call them and complain. Maybe they will change it.
For the last 3 years I have been using a HP LaserJet IIP. I have
never had a problem. I did have an engine that was being recalled. I
phoned HP on an 800 number. They sent the new printer. In the box
was the mailing label, tape, etc., that I needed to return the
printer. I then phoned Federal Express, again for free, to arrange a
pickup. It was made within the hour. HP has a class operation for
support of its products. DeskJet 550c comes with a 3-year limited
warranty.
I have been working with this printer for the last several months.
From the quick installation, everything went uphill from there. With
each thing I did, I was more impressed. I would much prefer to have
the XL 300, which has a street price of around $2300.00. One
commercial magazine mentioned this a 'color printer for those on a
budget.' I do not think that many small businesses would consider
that a budget price. I have seen samples of the XL 300 and think
very highly of it. If I had the money I would certainly buy it. But,
on a more realistic 'budget,' the DeskJet 550c should fit in. It
carries a street price of $700. I have even seen it closer to $685.
That is a little more like it. It has excellent quality output.
Of course, if you can afford it or need it, buy the XL 300. For many
though, the DJ 550c is small, priced right, and should fit in any
work area, even a home office.
╓─────────────────────────────────╖
║ Product Information ║
╟─────────────────────────────────╢
║ Hewlett-Packard ║
║ DeskJet 550c ║
║ Color Printer ║
╟─────────────────────────────────╢
║ List Price $1099. ║
╟─────────────────────────────────╢
║ Hewlett-Packard ║
║ ║
║ Nearest Dealer -- 800-752-0900 ║
╙─────────────────────────────────╜