HP Designjet 4500 Ink Cartridges

HP 4500 Printer Review

For work environments related to advertising, architecture, engineering, and other uses that would require oversized prints, the HP DesignJet 4500 is a highly reliable 42" wide-format printer. It uses thermal inkjet technology, which requires printheads with hundreds of small nozzles used to eject small drops of HP 4500 ink, creating professional quality and affordable overall maintenance costs. The base model is also referred to as the 4500ps, while the upgraded 4500mfp offers scanning and copying features with a separate scanning unit.

It is difficult to give an accurate gauge of production speed, as it varies based on the print mode set, as well as the complexity and color requirements of the print job. Best mode will produce the highest quality, reaching an optimized resolution of 2400x1200 dpi on glossy or coated paper. Unfortunately, that attention to detail using Best mode minimizes the output rate. When set to Draft mode, less DesignJet 4500 printer ink is used per page, often cutting the time it takes to complete a document in half, but also reducing the quality.

The HP Layering technology and HP PhotoREt III image enhancement software ensure crisp lines, vivid colors, and clear text. Long-lasting, high-grade cyan, magenta, yellow and black HP 4500 ink are used during operation, though quality is also contingent on the type of paper being used. Two rolls of paper can be loaded, each with a maximum length of 575 feet, allowing large tasks to print unattended. Multiple media types can be fed through the machine, including film, tracing paper, vellum, and photo paper.

The yields of the HP 4500 ink cartridges are difficult to determine as it is based on the page coverage and complexity of the document. For example, a simple line drawing may be the same size document as an advertising poster, but the amount of printer ink that will be needed will be very different. Replacement DesignJet 4500 ink cartridges are not cheap, but remanufactured versions are available from third-party vendors to help keep operating costs down.

Ethernet is the primary connection port, though optional USB ports are available if that is more appropriate for the office environment. The machine includes a 40 GB hard drive, a 2 GHz Intel processor, and the 256 MB of memory can be expanded to 512 MB for larger projects. Though not all operating systems are supported by the 4500, It includes support for major versions of Windows and Mac operating systems.

The HP DesignJet 4500 is a 400-pound, wide-format inkjet printer intended for offices that require large documents, such as blueprints or banners. Its versatile paper-handling can meet a variety of needs, and it can work unattended with the ability to load multiple rolls at once. The 4500 is a solid, reliable printer, even if it only appeal to a limited customer base.