Our take
HP identifies the Color LaserJet 5500dn as a discontinued color printer with product number C9657A#ABA. The 5500dn adds an HP Jetdirect 615n network card and automatic two-sided printing to the base 5500 configuration. HP's series guide lists speeds up to 21 pages per minute on Letter and 22 on A4, a 100-sheet multipurpose tray, a 500-sheet input tray and media support through 11x17. That combination suits an office with occasional tabloid-size charts or color documents and a wired print queue. It is not a copier or scanner, and HP publishes no recommended monthly workload for this exact model in the sources reviewed. The documented specifications describe a product family configuration, not the condition or output of a particular used unit.
A wired office or production room that needs color 11x17 output and automatic two-sided printing, and can evaluate an older printer on its actual condition..
Choose a current-generation alternative if you need copy, scan or fax, built-in wireless, a documented monthly recommendation, or predictable support and consumable availability.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- HP lists automatic duplex as part of the 5500dn configuration, so routine two-sided output does not depend on hand refeeding.
- The manufacturer guide supports media up to 11x17, useful for larger charts and layouts than Letter-only printers handle.
- A Jetdirect 615n network card is included in the dn configuration for wired sharing.
- The standard 100-sheet multipurpose tray plus 500-sheet input can keep common office stocks loaded separately.
What to weigh up
- HP marks the model discontinued, so sellers' actual condition and the availability of service or supplies need separate checking.
- The sources do not establish a recommended monthly page range for workload matching.
- It is print-only and does not replace a scanner, copier or fax machine.
- The listed 21 ppm Letter rating is a manufacturer figure and not a measured result for a particular unit.
The key details
| Model covered | 5500dn (C9657A#ABA) |
|---|---|
| Main functions | Color print only; up to 21 ppm Letter and 22 ppm A4 |
| Print output | Automatic duplex; 100-sheet multipurpose tray plus 500-sheet input |
| Two-sided printing | Jetdirect network card and parallel interface; supports 11x17 output |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 9, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
What the features mean for you
Confirm the dn configuration before comparing listings
The 5500 family includes several configurations, and their included paper handling and storage are different. HP's U.S. store identifies the exact Color LaserJet 5500dn and product number C9657A#ABA, while the series guide says the dn adds a Jetdirect 615n network card and automatic duplex to the base 5500. It does not include the extra tray and stand that distinguish the dtn, or the additional storage and tray arrangement of the hdn. Check the rear label for 5500dn and compare the product number where available. A historic candidate title or a seller's broad 5500 family label is not enough to establish the unit's exact configuration ([HP product identity](https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp-color-laserjet-5500dn-printer); [HP 5500 series guide](https://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/bpl12808.pdf)).
Color output includes larger paper formats
HP describes a four-color laser printer and lists support through 11x17 media. That makes the 5500dn more relevant to color office forms, charts and larger layouts than a model limited to standard Letter output. The rated pace is up to 21 ppm on Letter and 22 ppm on A4; those are specification figures, not a promise that a particular used printer will maintain that rate for every job. Color jobs, host processing, stock selection and machine condition can affect the actual time. Buyers who only print black Letter documents may not need the larger format capability and can compare a more focused monochrome model instead.
Automatic duplex reduces manual paper handling
The exact dn configuration includes automatic two-sided printing. For recurring reports or internal packets, the printer turns the sheet between sides rather than asking someone to reinsert a stack. This feature belongs to the 5500dn suffix; the base 5500 does not have the same documented included configuration. Automatic duplex is about output handling and does not establish two-sided scanning, since this model has no scanner. For heavier or specialty media, consult the guide's paper-weight and size rules before assuming duplex is supported on every stock. The available documentation does not separately specify a manual-duplex mode, so this review leaves that separate capability unclaimed.
A wired network card is part of the dn
HP says the dn includes the Jetdirect 615n EIO network card and the series guide also describes a parallel interface. That is a clearer fit for an office with a wired network or a compatible direct connection than for a wireless-only desk. Built-in wireless is not documented for this configuration, and an old network card should be checked on the actual unit before purchase. A model number confirms the intended build, not that a used machine's card is still installed or working. Verify ports, included cable and operating-system support with the seller if they are essential to the installation.
No published monthly guidance means workload remains open
The reviewed HP sources give rated print speed, media handling and the dn feature differences, but they do not provide a recommended monthly page range for this exact model. Do not substitute a maximum duty-cycle number or infer capacity from a large paper tray. Use your own routine and compare the printer's age, service arrangements and expected maintenance with the job mix. If a documented workload recommendation is required for procurement, this model does not have one in the cited packet and should not be ranked as though that guidance were known.
Treat age and condition as part of the buying decision
HP marks this model discontinued. That lifecycle fact does not tell you whether a particular unit is available or usable, but it does make the individual printer's state more important than a new-product brochure alone can answer. Ask about the printed page count, test pages, error history, installed tray and duplex hardware, and the remaining life of service parts. Confirm the seller's return terms and check whether suitable supplies are obtainable for the exact unit. This review relies on manufacturer documentation and does not claim hands-on testing, current offer status or any specific printer's condition.
What else to compare
Compare a current color MFP if copy and scan are needed, or a newer network color printer if long-term support and an explicit workload recommendation matter.
Before you buy
Is the HP Color LaserJet 5500dn a color printer?
Yes. HP identifies it as a four-color laser printer; the cited sources do not describe an MFP.
Does the 5500dn include automatic duplex?
Yes. HP's series guide says the dn configuration adds automatic two-sided printing to the base 5500.
Can it print 11x17 pages?
HP lists media support through 11x17 for the 5500 series, which includes this dn configuration.
What monthly volume does HP recommend?
The reviewed exact-model and series sources do not provide a recommended monthly page range for the 5500dn.
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 & review basis
We use the following manufacturer documentation for the product features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- HP U.S. Color LaserJet 5500dn product identity and C9657A#ABA ↗ — checked October 9, 2026.
- HP U.S. product page for exact Color LaserJet 5500dn and C9657A#ABA identity ↗ — checked October 9, 2026.
- HP Color LaserJet 5500 series user guide: dn network card, duplex, speeds and paper handling ↗ — checked October 9, 2026.
The decision
The 5500dn combines color 11x17 output, automatic duplex and wired networking, but it is discontinued and has no cited monthly recommendation. Verify the exact suffix and the condition of the individual machine.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.