The HP Color LaserJet 9500 mulitfunction printer provides ample workload capacity for busy workgroups and departments and is considered expensive at close to $6,000 for some models and options.

The HP 9500 comes standard with a 500 MHz processor and 160 MB of RAM; and a maximum of 416 MB. HP has included their Web JetAdmin software to enable any user to receive alerts via email which can help a department track printing costs and budget accordingly. Networking is made possible with an Ethernet 10/100 BaseTX port, but an external print server could be added for wireless networks. An additional modem connection is standard on the multifunction model in the HP 9500 series. Paper is handled through 2 – 500 sheet auto loaders and a 100 sheet multipurpose tray which is far less than similarly priced printers, but auto duplexing, and paper stacker/finishers can be added.

A resolution of 600 dpi by 600 dpi is enhanced by Hewlett Packard’s HP ImageREt image enhancement technology to compensate for imperfections in the paper, toner, and differences in color representation. Color production on the HP LaserJet 9500 is, quite honestly, impeccable. It is sharp and well defined even at smaller font sizes, and text rendering is suitable for most any office application. Color cost per printed page is close to $.13 at 40% coverage; and is suitable for most medium work groups with a 200,000 page monthly duty cycle. The higher speed processor and HP’s Instant-On technology allow for first page out times in less than 15 seconds and the device can print color documents at up to 12 pages per minute.

The HP Color LaserJet 9500 multifunction printer is a fine addition to a workgroup if the users are willing to wait a bit longer for the printer to wake up but the color production is worth the wait if you can afford the extra time spent waiting.