Released in October 1998, the HP Color LaserJet 8500 was positioned as a high-performance, high volume printer targeted at the corporate office. In April 2000 HP introduced the 8550 as a replacement for the 8500. Featuring a faster processor, the 8500 was one of the fastest color printers on the market (when introduced) with a color print speed of 6 pages per minute (ppm) and a monochrome speed of 24 ppm.
Also in October 1998 Canon released their version, the Satera LBP-2160. The copier-based imageCLASS C2100 followed in May 1999. Additional models based on the same EP-82 print engine followed in 2000 and 2001.
The supplies set for for all models consists of seven consumables - four toner cartridges, one imaging drum, a transfer drum and a fuser assembly. The imaging drum requires a chip for correct printer operation.