HP DesignJet Z6600

The Z6600 fits best where a dedicated color plotter is part of the document-production rhythm rather than an occasional office peripheral. Its HP-GL/2 and HP-RTL page-description support is relevant to established CAD plotting environments, while the supplied printer driver and HP Designjet Utility, including HP Color Center, provide the basic tools for submission and color administration. The 320 GB internal HDD can also be useful when several users are sending work to one device.

It handles both cut sheets and roll paper, which gives a document-control team practical flexibility between individual deliverables and repeatable drawing output. The stated maximum print size is A1, so buyers should confirm their actual drawing-format requirement against that specification before treating it as the default device for every full-size plan set. The LCD and built-in display support at-device status checking, but there is no USB port listed for walk-up submission.

The six-cartridge system uses the listed cyan, light gray, magenta, matte black, and photo black inks. For teams maintaining an installed device, compatible supplies include HP 771 and HP 773 ink families, alongside the HP DesignJet User Maintenance Kit. Those details matter to continuity planning more than to a color claim: no measured ICC gamut data is available here, so it would be unhelpful to infer photographic or brand-color accuracy from resolution alone.

The machine’s core strength is a conventional, networked color-print workflow in a format intended for serious output. Its single RJ-45 connection supports wired deployment, and ENERGY STAR certification plus listed power consumption of 270 W typical, 48 W standby, and 0.3 W off may be relevant to facilities teams documenting equipment energy use. At 418.9 lb, it is not a casual desktop addition; placement, access, and service clearance deserve attention before delivery.

The trade-off is functional scope. The Z6600 does not scan or copy, so redline capture, legacy drawing conversion, and walk-up copy workflows need a separate process or accessory strategy. Teams that need integrated scan-to-file should not assume a printer-only configuration fills that role. Similarly, a fast-rated engine does not eliminate the need for an output plan when projects demand sorted, mixed-size, or carefully collated issue sets.

Within the listed family, the HP DesignJet Z6610 60-in is the natural model to examine when a stated 60-inch format is central to the requirement. The HP Z6800 60-in is another same-family 60-inch option worth putting beside the Z6600 in a requirements review. Firms seeking a narrower listed format can also consider the HP Z5600 44-in. The right comparison is not simply width: confirm media, file types, service coverage, and whether scanning belongs in the same purchase decision.

Before committing, ask the dealer to demonstrate your own PDFs and CAD-derived files through the supplied driver, not only a prepared sample. Confirm how HP-GL/2 and HP-RTL jobs enter the queue, how the 320 GB HDD is managed within your organization’s security policies, and who owns routine maintenance. Also establish local service coverage and the availability of HP 771, HP 773, and the HP DesignJet User Maintenance Kit.

For a structured side-by-side review, use the HP Z6600 and HP DesignJet Z6610 60-in comparison. A class-level view is available through the wide-format printer ranking, but the more consequential test is whether the device handles your actual bid addenda, permit sheets, coordination drawings, and deadline peaks with acceptable intervention.