campbell@maynard.BSW.COM.UUCP (02/28/87)
We just bought a new laser printer, the HP LaserJet Series II.
Apparently it isn't quite announced yet -- the official announcement
date is Monday, March 2. However, we didn't have to sign anything
or promise to be quiet about it when we bought it, so here is a
review.
Synopsis: this printer is WONDERFUL. Run, don't walk, to your nearest
HP dealer and buy one before they get scarce.
The Series II is a replacement for the LaserJet and LaserJet+ printers.
It is completely compatible with the LaserJet+. HP has fixed just about
everything I didn't like about the LaserJet, made the printer smaller,
and made a host of additional improvements as well.
. Based on a new Canon print engine, the printer is much smaller,
and lighter by 25 lbs., than the LaserJet (although the footprint
is slightly larger). It's the smallest laser printer I've ever seen.
. The input and output trays hold about twice as much paper.
. The output is collated, not reversed. The output tray is on top,
as in the Ricoh engine. There is also a face-up output tray at
the rear, so a straight-through paper path is available for things
like envelopes and labels (although this tray reverses the pages).
. Comes standard with 512K of memory. Upgradeable to 1.5M, 2.5M,
or 4.5M.
. Two font cartridge slots. Yes, both cartridges are available
in a single page.
. Alphanumeric LCD display of about 20 characters through which all
options are selected.
. Serial and parallel interfaces, selectable by menu picks from the
LCD front panel.
. Baud rate settable from front panel display (no more disassembling
the back of the printer and flipping nearly inaccessible switches).
. Fonts are selectable from the front panel. No more sending little
magic files to the printer before using it as a dumb printer.
. Toner cartridge drops in from the top, so you don't have to leave
18 inches clearance on the right of the printer.
. Fan is significantly quieter than in the LaserJet.
. Manual feed is from the front. No more leaning over the back of
the printer.
Now comes the best part -- the price. List price is $500 LESS than the
basic LaserJet!! List price is $2495, and it's being discounted already.
We paid $1871 (plus tax and shipping), which is almost exactly $500 less
than we paid for a plain (not +) LaserJet just three months ago.
Drawbacks? I really can think of only one. The toner cartridge is not
the same as that used in the older Canon engine (LaserJet, Apple Laser
Writer, etc.) so availability MIGHT be a bit limited. But our dealer
assured us he has them available, and they cost about the same (maybe
$5 more).
One amusing note. When I first tried printing graphics I thought I
noticed a slight incompatibility (I later discovered that it was
essentially a user error). Slightly panicked, I called HP for help --
and was told "The Series II is not yet announced, and we're not allowed
to discuss future products." "But I just BOUGHT one!!" I exclaimed.
"Sorry, but that's our policy. You'll have to call back Monday [the
announcement date]". Actually they were quite courteous about it, and
Monday is only three days away -- but it was rather amusing.
Of course, I've only been using it for one day now, so I have no data
on reliability. But if it's anything like the LaserJet (or any other
HP product, for that matter) it'll never break.
Anyone want to buy a three month old plain LaserJet?
--
Larry Campbell The Boston Software Works, Inc.
Internet: campbell@maynard.uucp 120 Fulton Street, Boston MA 02109
uucp: {alliant,wjh12}!maynard!campbell +1 617 367 6846
ARPA: campbell%maynard.uucp@harvisr.harvard.edu MCI: LCAMPBELL