User guide
What You Should Know
Hands-On Test Report
HP Officejet 4500 All-in-One Printer
March 2010 Wirth Consulting, LLC Denville, New Jersey USA www.wirthconsulting.org
Page 2
Executive Summary What It Is
Wirth Consulting recommends using the higher-yield 901XL black
ink cartridge, which has the highest page yield (700 pages) among
competitive systems in this segment. In this segment, competitive
systems’ high-yield black cartridges typically yield approximately
only 500 pages, so that users will have to replace them more
frequently. The Officejet 4500’s cost per page for both black and
color is very competitive. For instance, when we compare the
Officejet 4500’s cost per page to that of a contemporary competitive
All-in-One, the competitor’s cost per page is actually 0.4 (black)
and 1.5 (color) cents per page higher. Overall, the Officejet 4500’s
economical cost per page (4.5/12.5 cents) makes it suitable for use
as both a primary All-in-One, and also for use as a photorealistic
color printer, eliminating the need to purchase a separate
monochrome All-in-One and separate dedicated photo printer—both
of which would together cost more than a single Officejet 4500.
Both configurations feature color capability in all
modes—print, copy, scan and fax. They also feature
flatbed platen copying for copy, scan and fax, as well
as a 20-sheet document feeder—something not always
provided in this price segment, and the lack of which
makes scanning multi-page documents much more
time-consuming.
In general, these color ink-jet All-in-Ones are
suitable for both general business printing and
graphic-arts; they also serve as color photo printers.
HP has enhanced photo printing with the use of
dye-based cyan, yellow and magenta color inks.
Wirth Consulting has found that dye-based color
inks result in more vibrant color image quality,
which was backed up in testing.
Like most competitive systems, the Officejet 4500
All-in-Ones can produce borderless prints up to
8.5” x 11”. Users can also print on custom media
up to 8.5” x 30”, so that the systems can be used for
producing color signs, banners, larger presentation
materials, etc.
IMAGE QUALITY
The Officejet 4500 All-in-One is a thermal ink-jet printer that prints
and copies in both monochrome black and color. The system uses
black pigment ink, and three dye-based color inks (cyan, yellow, and
magenta), the latter of which help produce more vibrant color images.
TESTED IMAGE QUALITY
In order to evaluate image quality, Wirth Consulting uses:
1. The highest image-quality settings.
2. ImageXpert™ Printer 600 dpi Target Version 5.1.
3. ImageXpert Test Target EP-PSv1.
4. Northlight Images UK Grayscale Linearization Test Chart.
5. Synthetic (photographic) test images derived from ISO Internal Standard 12640
Graphic Technology (Prepress Digital-Data Exchange – CYMK Standard Color
Image Data [CYMK/SCID]).
6. Hammermill 100/112+ Euro Bright, 28 lb. Color Copy Paper.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Image-quality samples contained in this report are raw TIFF,
non-compressed photos that have been recorded using a high-end digital camera. They
are intended to provide readers with our best approximation of image quality. However,
all Wirth Consulting comments on image-quality are based on a visual examination of
the actual printed image-quality samples themselves, not on the photographs.
Imaging Technology: Thermal ink-jet; uses black-pigment ink
and dye-based cyan, magenta and yellow inks.
Maximum Print Resolution: 4800x1200 dpi*
*On select HP photo papers.
STRENGTHS
In testing, the Officejet 4500 Series produced crisp black
text, and very good resolution and line and dot control for
excellent text readability down to 4 pt. font size. The
system was able to produce fine detail as well as nearly
any digital printer/multifunctional peripheral tested to
date.
ISO raw TIFF test photographs displayed good detail,
excellent color saturation, no banding, and realistic flesh
tones, with photographs displaying an overall very-
pleasing appearance and vibrant color.
No media curling or ink bleed-through or smearing was
observed.
Users can produce faster-drying documents with
ColorLok papers.
LIMITATIONS
None.
Image-quality originals used by Wirth Consulting when evaluating a device’s image quality.
The Officejet 4500 as tested by
Wirth Consulting