HP Color LaserJet 8550N
I am still using clj8550n in my small office and am able to print very inexpensively by finding consumables at very low prices compared to when they were new. I recently bought a couple of new unopened imaging drums at a low price but they both left a gray line across the page right out of the box.(degraded wiper blade I suspect). I have never had that happen so I fear the consumables may be reaching their shelf life. Any thoughts on the next used large format HP color laser that I could “move up to” that would enable low cost of printing because consumables and parts are now a bargain?

Experienced technical support provide their insights in answering this question :
You can just replace the drum wiper blades. http://www.uninetimaging.com/c/539/hp-8500-8550-ep-82

How to Identify and Fix Common printer Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced technical support :

The HP LaserJet IID was released in the fall of 1988, It was the first desktop laser printer capable of duplexing. It was also the first HP LaserJet with an HP-designed and manufactured formatter. In September 1989, HP introduced the first “personal” version of the HP LaserJet printer series, the LaserJet IIP.
The HP LaserJet was the world`s first desktop laser printer.

The HP LaserJet was the first desktop laser printer, introduced in 1984 at about $3,500. Nothing like it existed previously, and it created a totally new printer market—similar to what the HP-35 handheld calculator had done 12 years earlier.

HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is a home electronics brand that focuses on computer-related products, including printers. They make a diverse range of printers like inkjet or laser, color or monochrome, all-in-one or print-only units, and even portable printers with a built-in rechargeable battery.
Color Laser Printer

On October 17, 2005 HP announced the release of their 31 page per minute (ppm) Color LaserJet 4700 series printers as a replacement for the 22 ppm 4650 series, which had been discontinued.

As print quality goes down over time, this will be a reason to replace the color printer. We find a black and white printer can sometimes last 10 years or more and most color laser printers are replaced every 3 to 5 years.
LaserJet is a printer by Hewlett Packard (HP) designed for high print quality, horizontal and vertical printing, printing graphics, text, letters, memos and spreadsheets. It is considered to be the first desktop laser printer.
HP printer cons

In fact, in comparison to Epson and Canon, HP printers have the most expensive ink per page. This will eventually reduce the initial savings from the lowered price of purchase over time. Furthermore, while several HP printers maintain a high quality of printing, it lacks the same image printing.

HP printers use thermal inkjet technology that delivers high-quality prints with a broader range of color accuracy. Epson printers are generally slower than HP printers, but this can vary depending on the model. HP printers are generally faster, especially when it comes to black-and-white prints.
This printer has been discontinued.
Click the All Printers drop-down arrow, and then click the name of the printer to view a specific printer`s print history. If the print job displays, wait for your printer to receive the print job file or refresh the browser.
LaserJet is a printer by Hewlett Packard (HP) designed for high print quality, horizontal and vertical printing, printing graphics, text, letters, memos and spreadsheets. It is considered to be the first desktop laser printer.
Specifically, Gary Starkweather invented the laser printer in 1969 at the Xerox research lab in Webster, New York. Soon after, he transferred to Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) and developed a prototype for the Xerox 9700: our company`s first laser printer, which came to market in 1978.
LaserJet is a printer by Hewlett Packard (HP) designed for high print quality, horizontal and vertical printing, printing graphics, text, letters, memos and spreadsheets. It is considered to be the first desktop laser printer.
HP was founded by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard in 1939. Their first product was an audio oscillator and one of their first customers Walt Disney. Disney used the oscillator to test audio equipment in the 12 specially equipped theaters showing Fantasia in 1940. HP entered the computer market with the HP 2116A in 1966.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Suggestions for previous generation of HP color laser jets?
ANSWER : You can just replace the drum wiper blades. http://www.uninetimaging.com/c/539/hp-8500-8550-ep-82

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HP Color LaserJet 8550N

HP laser jet 3015 "Upgrade Error Call HP Support"
ANSWER : rgtr

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HP Color LaserJet 8550N

HP Color Laserjet 3800 problem when printing color
ANSWER : Do a cold reset

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HP Color LaserJet 8550N

My 2550n Color LaserJet does not want to print in color
ANSWER : That model had issues with the carousel solenoid sticking. That might explain why it works after you let it sit for 10 minutes. The solenoid gets hotter with use which causes the deteriorated foam on it to become sticky and hold down the release plate instead of letting it go. This allows the carousel to spin when it is supposed to stop for each color. The solenoid is located on the right side of the printer. If you open the lid, it is just behind the opening at the top right. You need to remove the top of the printer and scrape off the goo on top of the solenoid body. I put a piece of thin sticky backed felt to replace it. Other people use electrical tape.

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HP Color LaserJet 8550N

HP Color Laserjet 500 series M551n Error 98.00.0C
ANSWER : I just ran into one of these on a 4 year old m551. Failed to complete startup at the end of disk check. Followed the above link for troubleshooting.

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HP Color LaserJet 8550N

HP 4700 Color alignment
ANSWER : Thanks much, this method worked for me.

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HP Color LaserJet 8550N

HP LaserJet 500 Color MFP M575 Scanner Calibration
ANSWER : 0512 is service code for m575

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HP Color LaserJet 8550N

Reset HP Color Laserjet 4700 transfer kit
ANSWER : How about the situation when resistor does not reset the transfer belt count and even new transfer belt out of the box is not doing it. Do you have any idea how to solve this problem? I did reset transfer belts and fusing units on several HL 4700 printers with no problem but also I came across few which were not possible to reset even with oryginal parts.

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HP Color LaserJet 8550N