HP LaserJet 4050 Printer Offers New Features and Increased Performance for Same Price as Its Predecessor

Business Wire, May 17, 1999

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 1999--

HP Unveils Replacement for the Best-selling Network

LaserJet Printer on 15th Anniversary of Original LaserJet

On the 15th anniversary of the original HP LaserJet printer, Hewlett-Packard Company today introduced the HP LaserJet 4050 printer series, which builds on the success of the award-winning HP LaserJet 4000 printer. Continuing the HP LaserJet 4000 printer's low total cost of ownership, the new printer also offers increased performance, enhanced versatility and more customer-focused solutions -- all at the same price as its highly successful predecessor.

"HP is dedicated to providing innovative and high-quality printing solutions to our customers," said Manny Kostas, marketing manager for HP's Workgroup LaserJet Division. "We're especially excited about the new HP LaserJet 4050 printer because its introduction coincides with the 15th anniversary of the original HP LaserJet printer. We expect that the new HP LaserJet 4050 printer -- with its additional benefits and features -- will continue to add to HP LaserJet printers' 15-year history of innovation."

The HP LaserJet 4050 printer prints at speeds of up to 17 pages-per-minute (ppm) and produces high-resolution, 1,200 dots-per-inch (dpi) print quality. Networked with a 10/100 BaseTX HP JetDirect 600N EIO print server, the printer integrates seamlessly into all Ethernet environments.

Advanced solutions include kiosk printing, which is often used by banking and financial institutions; a mail-folding feature(1) and envelope feeder that meets the needs of small- and medium-sized businesses; and walkup wireless printing for mobile professionals.

Areas of improvement include the following:

-- increased printing and networking performance -- up to 40

percent faster performance than the HP LaserJet 4000

printer;

-- 133MHz RISC microprocessor;

-- increased memory out-of-the-box, with 8MB offered in the

base model and 16MB in the network model; and

-- HP ProRes 1200 at 17 ppm without sacrificing performance.

-- increased versatility and customer-focused business-printing

solutions;

-- printing convenience features -- users are able to take

advantage of features including private printing, proof and

hold, stored jobs and quick copies;

-- wireless/walk-up printing for large businesses -- Fast

Infrared Port (FIR) receiver bundled with network models for

wireless/walkup printing for handheld PCs, notebooks and

digital cameras;

-- HP JetSend -- a device-to-device communications protocol

that enables information appliances to exchange information

directly and intelligently across an intranet or using FIR;

and

-- HP folder and sealer(1) -- an output paper finisher that

folds and seals special forms into mail-ready invoices,

checks, payroll or reminder pieces.

-- lower total cost of ownership (TCO);

-- HP TonerGauge -- new consumables-management tool that take

the guesswork out of ordering supplies by providing

administrators with approximate levels of remaining toner;

-- HP paper gauge -- lets users view the level of paper

available in the printer and takes the guesswork out of

maintaining an appropriate inventory of printing supplies;

and

-- HP WebJet Admin 5.5 -- Web-based management software that

lowers TCO by proactively managing network-printer problems

before they affect end-user productivity.

The HP LaserJet 4050 printer also includes the next-generation of innovative capabilities brought to HP LaserJet printers through HP LaserJet Accessible Architecture (LJAA), a customer-focused initiative that strengthens HP's collaboration with qualified third-party, hardcopy-solutions providers.

Qualified third-party solutions providers can participate in the HP LJAA initiative by joining the HP LaserJet Extended Solutions Program (ESP). Through HP ESP, solutions providers can create better-integrated business printing solutions for HP LaserJet printer customers.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The HP LaserJet 4050 series printers are available worldwide in five configurations. Estimated U.S. street prices are as follows: -0-

HP LaserJet 4050        $1,099(2)
HP LaserJet 4050T       1,249(2)
HP LaserJet 4050N       1,415(2)
HP LaserJet 4050TN      1,599(2)
HP LaserJet 4050se      1,149(2)

-0-

About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services for business and home -- is focused on capitalizing on the opportunities of the Internet and the proliferation of electronic services. HP had computer-related revenue of $39.5 billion in its 1998 fiscal year.

HP plans to launch a new company ("NewCo") consisting of its industry-leading test-and-measurement, components, chemical-analysis and medical businesses. These businesses represented $7.6 billion of HP's total revenue in fiscal 1998. With leading positions in multiple market segments, this technology-based company will focus on high-growth opportunities such as communications and life sciences.

HP has 122,800 employees worldwide and had total revenue of $47.1 billion in its 1998 fiscal year. Information about HP, its products and the company's Year 2000 program can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.