HP Color LaserJet 3500

There are two models : without network (Q1319A) and 3500N (Q1320A)

Colour laser printer with a throughput of 12 pages per minute in colour or black. The printer uses inline transfer onto a belt, the general arrangement of the mechanism is similar to that in the CLJ3600 etc but the way the parts are used in a different way. There are four colour cartridges (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) arranged inline to deliver the colour. The cartridges face onto an image transfer belt which carries the toner down to the page. An unusual aspect of the design is that there are only two polygon mirror scanners with two beams and lens- sets each and these are integrated into one unit.

The colour cartridges disengage when a page is purely black, giving economy comparable with mono printers.

The "N" model comes with an external en3700 USB JetDirect print server connecting via the Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port.

The Color LaserJet 3500 and 3550 might be seen as small-office versions of the Color LaserJet 3700 (Q1321A) which has more expansion options and bigger colour cartridges. The full line-up for the series is:

  • CLJ 3500 - Q1319A - 12 ppm, 4k colour 6k black cartridges, USB. Host based
  • CLJ 3500N - Q1320A - as above but ships with an EN3700 print server.
  • CLJ 3500N - Q1320A - as above but ships with an EN3700 print server.
  • CLJ 3550N - Q5991A - as above but ships with an EN3700 print server.

Details of the CLJ 3700 are given elsewhere but for comparisson -

  • CLJ 3700 - Q1321A - 16ppm, 6k pages from all cartridges, Parallel and USB. 1 x EIO slot PCL and Postscript.
  • CLJ 3700N - Q1322A - network version with a Jetdirect 620n
  • CLJ 3700DN - Q1323A - network and duplex - two sided print.
  • CLJ 3700DTN - Q1324A - network, duplex and a 500 sheet paper tray

The CLJ 3500 was released in early 2004 and the 3550 in october 2004. The main purpose was to give a low purchase cost - their specification is somewhat lower than that of the CLJ 3000 , 3600 and CP3505 which are based on a completely different engine giving 21ppm but otherwise rather similar. Likewise the 3700 is a bit slower than the 3800.

The CLJ4700 and CP4005N are rather more expensive but considerably faster at 25ppm.

products include the Samsung CLP-500 and CLP-610ND which are faster at 20ppm.

The CLJ 3500 has been discontinued. In July 2009 refurbished units were available for around £370 and some sellers were listing new units for £450 (but no stock).


Control:

Two-line LCD display with intuitive operation. Network models have HP embedded web server and HP Web Jetadmin.


Duty Cycle:

45,000 pages per month. The black cartridge has a life of 6,000 pages and the colour 4,000 pages. The duty cycle is quite high for a machine aimed at small office use however it isn't a good choice as a production printer. For comparison the CLJ 4700 and its successors have 100,000 ppm rating and catridge life of 11,000 pages.


Speed: Up to 12 pages per minute in mono or colour. Compared with other printers in this price group its rather slow at mono print. The CLJ 3550 and CLJ3600 with faster processors manage 16ppm. First page out from warm in 22 seconds.


Copy Abilities:

There isn't a direct copier equivalent based on this engine (?)


True resolution 600 x 600 dpi with ImageREt 2400.


Paper Handling:

A4, letter and legal sizes. Fairly standard capabilites with a 100 sheet multipurpose tray and a 250 sheet tray. Optional Tray 3 under the printer adds 500 sheet capacity.

  • Tray 1:100 sheet multipurpose tray 3x5 to 8.5x14 inches. 60 to 216gsm
  • Tray 2:250 sheet tray built into the base of the printer. 5.8x8.3 to 8.5x14 inches. 60 to 105 gsm.
  • Optional Tray 3:Optional Tray 3 - 500 sheets. A4 8.5x11, legal 8.3x11.7. 60 to 105 gsm

Face Down:

Output normally to 150 sheet top face down tray

Face Up:

25 sheet rear output door for straight through path to handle heavier media.

Duplex:

Only manual duplex is provided.

Processor:

266MHz MIPS RISC

Memory:

64MB built in RAM - not expandable. (This is one of the limitations of this low cost design)


Interface:

USB 2.0


Network:

The "N" version has a Jetdirect en3700 for connection supporting TCP/IP, IPX/SPX and Appletalk.


Network Protocols:

There isn't any specifice information relating to this printer - see that for the EN3700


Host based using HP JetReady 4.0. Printer performance will depend quite markedly on the PC running the print job.


System Compatibility:

Windows 98, XP, and Server 2003. Apple Mac OS 9.1 and OS X v 10.2 and above.


Power:

Ships in 220V AC 50Hz Worldwide version and 110Volt version for the US and Japan


Power Consumption:

Off 0.3 watts, Standby 9 watts, ready 18 watts, printing 350 watts.


Dimensions:

500x447x467mm


Weight:

32.5kg


Consumables:

Uses a "CMYK" process with four print cartridges each with toner, integrated developer and drum.

The printers in this series take the same black cartridge Q2670A with a 6,000 page life at 5% cover.

The 3500 and 3550 take 4,000 page colour cartridges cyan Q2671A, yellow Q2682A and magenta Q2683A. The 3700 takes 6,000 page colour cartridges


Q2670A HP Color LaserJet Smart print cartridge, black, 6,000 pages - Q2670A

Q2671A HP Color LaserJet Smart print cartridge, cyan, 4,000 pages - Q2671A

Q2673A HP Color LaserJet Smart print cartridge, magenta, 4,000 pages - Q2673A

Q2672A HP Color LaserJet Smart print cartridge, yellow, 4,000 pages - Q2672A


EI3500BK Silver Reed Black Toner Cartridge with chip (Q2670A)

EI3500CY Silver Reed Cyan Toner Cartridge with chip (Q2671A)

EI3500MG Silver Reed Magenta Toner Cartridge with chip (Q2673A)

EI3500YW Silver Reed Yellow Toner Cartridge with chip (Q2672A)


Fuser:

There are two fusers depending on voltage. Q3655A is for 110 to 127 Volt mains supply and Q3656A for 220 to 240 Volt supplies. HP original fusers include the fusing assembly itself (which installs in the lower rear of the printer together with an installation guide. Refurbished fusers won't have the guide.

  • Q3656A Fuser Kit (220V) - Q3656A
  • Q3655A Fuser Kit (110V) - Q3655A

The same fuser is used by the CLJ 3500, 3550 and 3700 series

Maintenance Kit:

There isn't an HP Maintenance kit for the CLJ 3500, purchase the fuser and rollers as needed.

Spares:

RC1-1535 Pickup Roller for Multipurpose Tray1 of CLJ 3500/ 3550/ 3700, RC1-1535-000CN

RC1-0939 Separation Pad for Tray1 (used in CLJ 3500 series and LJ 2300 2400 etc -not including holder), RC1-0939-000CN

RM1-0731 Paper Pickup Roller Assembly for CLJ 3500/ 3550/ 3700 and 500 sheet tray RM1-0731-050CN (formerly RM1-0731-020CN)

RM1-0739 Separation Pad for Tray2 of CLJ 3500/ 3550/ 3700, RM1-0739-000CN

RC1-0954 Separation Pad for Front of 250 Sheet Tray on CLJ 3500/ 3550/ 3700 etc, RC1-0954-000CN

RM1-0827 Separation Pad for 500 Sheet Tray CLJ 3500/ 3550/ 3700 and 500 sheet tray, RM1-0827-000CN

RM1-0765 Paper Pickup Assembly for Tray 2 on CLJ 3500 (??) / 3550 3700, RM1-0765-070CN (formerly RM1-0765-070CN)

RM1-0740 Transfer Roller Assembly for CLJ 3500/ 3550/ 3700, T2 transfer roller and bushings. RM1-0740-000CN

RM1-0744 Face Down Delivery Assembly for (large black plastic assembly on the back of the printer. CLJ 3500/ 3550 / 3700, RM1-0744-000CN (Formerly RM1-0469-000CN)

RC1-1247 Cartridge Engaging Tab / ITB Coupling lever for CLJ 3500/ 3550/ 3700 RC1-1247-000CN (see "errors" below).

RM1-0438 Right Swing Guide Assembly / Locking Guide Right Assembly. Black plastic guide on lower right side. RM1-0438-000CN

RM1-0470 Tray 2 250 Sheet Cassette Assembly for CLJ 3500/ 3550/ 3700, RM1-0470-030

RM1-0705 Tray 3 500 Sheet Cassette Assembly for CLJ 3500/ 3550/ 3700, RM1-0705-000

Q1319-67903 Formatter for CLJ 3500/ 3500N/ 3550/ 3550N, Q1319-67903

Q1321-67924 DC Controller for CLJ 3500/ 3500N/ 3550/ 3550N, Q1321-67924 (also known as CLJ 3700 Q1321-69002, Q1321-67924)

RM1-0510-000CN, RM1-0510-020CN, RM1-0510-030CN, RM1-0510-040CN, RM1-0510-050CN

RM1-1480 Laser Scanner Assembly for CLJ 3500/ 3550/ 3700, all four lasers and two scanners in one assembly RM1-1480-000CN

RK2-0157 Power Supply for 110 Volt models CLJ 3500/ 3550/ 3700, RK2-0157-000CN

RK2-0158 Power Supply for 220 Volt models CLJ 3500/ 3550/ 3700, RK2-0158-000CN

RM1-0505 HT PSU for CLJ 3500/ 3550/ 3700, located in left side of printer, RM1-0505-000CN

Service:

We don't offer service contracts or repair for these printers at present.


Options and Accessories:


The CLJ3500 is deliberately designed as a small workgroup machine with limited options.

Optional Tray 3 - 500 sheets for CLJ 3500/ 3550/ 3700, Q2486A