Our take
The HP Color LaserJet 4500 is a legacy color printer for a buyer who can support older hardware and wants more standard paper capacity than a small desk printer. HP's U.S. page identifies the exact C4084A#ABA base model and marks it discontinued. The family guide rates black output at up to 16 pages per minute and color at up to 4 ppm; it lists 32 MB standard memory, a 150-sheet multipurpose tray, and a 250-sheet cassette. Together those trays hold 400 sheets before any optional feeder. The base configuration does not include the network card or duplex accessory. That makes model suffix and installed equipment central to fit: the 4500N and 4500DN are separate configurations. These are published specifications, not results from a tested unit.
A niche choice when an existing system supports its parallel connection, the verified 400-sheet paper path is useful, and slow color output is acceptable..
Avoid it if you need fast color queues, built-in Wi-Fi or standard Ethernet, automatic duplex without optional hardware, current driver assurances, or copy and scan functions.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- The standard 150-sheet multipurpose tray and 250-sheet cassette provide 400 sheets without assuming an optional feeder is installed.
- HP documents color output and a separate black speed rating, making the trade-off clear for mixed document work.
- PCL5c, PostScript emulation, and automatic language switching are documented for this older print workflow.
What to weigh up
- The rated 4 ppm color pace is slow for repeated graphics or shared color queues, even though black pages are rated faster.
- A network interface card and duplex printing accessory are not standard on the C4084A#ABA base model.
- HP marks the printer discontinued, while condition, consumables, parts, and a current host-driver path are not established.
Specifications and exact model details
The key details
| Model covered | Color LaserJet 4500 (C4084A#ABA) |
|---|---|
| Main functions | Color laser print-only printer |
| Print output | Up to 16 ppm black and 4 ppm color; 32 MB standard memory |
| Two-sided printing | 400 sheets standard; duplex printing accessory is optional |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 17, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
Full review: how the features affect your choice
What the features mean for you
Confirm the base 4500 rather than a networked sibling
HP's U.S. product page maps part C4084A#ABA to the Color LaserJet 4500 and marks that product discontinued. The family guide distinguishes the 4500, 4500N, and 4500DN. Do not carry the N or DN suffix features over to this base model: the packet identifies no standard JetDirect network card or duplexer for C4084A#ABA. A used listing should be checked against the actual product plate and rear panel, because installed add-on hardware can change an individual unit. The historical marketplace record is only a candidate lead; it does not prove the identity or condition of a present offer. ([HP U.S. product page](https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp-color-laserjet-4500-printer-c4084a-aba); [HP family user guide](https://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00634169.pdf)).
Color is available, but the rated pace is modest
HP rates the 4500 at up to 16 pages per minute in black and 4 ppm in color. That gap matters if color is a routine part of the queue: color reports and graphics have a much lower listed pace than ordinary monochrome pages. The numbers are manufacturer ratings rather than a measured result for a particular used printer, and real jobs can vary with media, page complexity, and host setup. HP also lists 32 MB of standard memory. That gives a documented baseline, but it does not establish how well a specific unit will handle a modern workflow or the condition of its memory and print engine. ([HP Color LaserJet 4500 family user guide](https://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00634169.pdf)).
Two standard trays reduce routine refills
The family guide lists a 150-sheet multipurpose tray and a 250-sheet standard cassette, for 400 sheets of standard input. HP describes the multipurpose tray for paper, transparencies, labels, heavier media, and envelopes. That arrangement can keep letter paper in the cassette while an occasional special sheet goes through the multipurpose path. A separate 500-sheet feeder is optional, so it should not be included in the base model's capacity or treated as present in a used listing. The actual rollers, guides, and trays need inspection on the individual machine; the original specification cannot establish how they feed today. ([HP Color LaserJet 4500 family user guide](https://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00634169.pdf)).
Plan for a legacy direct connection
For a printer without a network interface card, HP documents a bidirectional IEEE-1284 parallel connection. The saved exact-model packet does not establish a standard Ethernet or wireless card in C4084A#ABA. A buyer planning to share it should identify any installed JetDirect hardware and verify that the intended computer, print server, or adapter can communicate with the actual unit. The manual's parallel instructions explain the old connection method; they do not establish current operating-system support. A seller's claim that a related 4500N or DN is network-ready is not proof about the base 4500. ([HP Color LaserJet 4500 family user guide](https://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00634169.pdf)).
Duplex and extra capacity require add-on hardware
HP lists the C4083A duplex printing accessory and C4082A 500-sheet feeder as optional products. The base 4500 therefore does not provide standard automatic two-sided printing. The reviewed guide does not separately establish a manual duplex workflow for this exact C4084A#ABA configuration, so the profile leaves that attribute unknown instead of treating hand refeeding as a documented feature. If two-sided output matters, confirm that the accessory is included, correctly installed, and supported before relying on it. The same inspection applies to a feeder that may have been removed or sold separately. ([HP Color LaserJet 4500 family user guide](https://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00634169.pdf)).
Compare for your needs
For routine color jobs or shared modern networks, compare a current color printer with built-in networking and standard duplex, then verify its exact model and supply path.
Find the undefined that fits you.
Tell us what matters. We’ll help you weigh the options.
Before you buy
How much paper does the base 4500 hold?
HP lists a 150-sheet multipurpose tray and a 250-sheet cassette as standard, totaling 400 sheets before any optional feeder.
Does C4084A#ABA include automatic duplex?
No standard duplexer is documented for this base model; HP lists a separate optional duplex printing accessory.
Is built-in Ethernet confirmed for this exact model?
The saved exact-model packet documents parallel setup and no standard network card, so built-in Ethernet is not confirmed.
How fast does it print color pages?
HP rates color output at up to 4 pages per minute and black output at up to 16 pages per minute for the family.
Where can I check the current price?
Use the Amazon link for current offers. Check the exact model, seller, product condition, delivery, and return terms. This page does not display a live price or confirm stock.
Sources and review basis
Sources & review basis
We use the linked product documentation for the features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- HP U.S. product page for C4084A#ABA and Color LaserJet 4500 family user guide ↗ — checked October 17, 2026.
- HP U.S. product page: exact C4084A#ABA identity and discontinued status ↗ — checked October 17, 2026.
- HP Color LaserJet 4500/4500N/4500DN user guide: base features, rated speeds, standard trays, interfaces, and optional accessories ↗ — checked October 17, 2026.
The decision
Choose the 4500 only when the exact base unit, parallel connection, slow color speed, and optional-accessory limits fit an existing workflow.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.