ia4@CUNIXD.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU (Imran Anwar) (09/06/89)
HP DESKJET WITH ATARI 1040ST: ANY GOOD: AND HOW? - - - - - - - - - - I am using a 1040 ST and have to buy a printer real soon. I presently use the ST for wordprocessing and need laser (or laser-like) output. I usually use 1st Word Plus (can start using Microsoft Write) but need the printer to start working with the minimum (MINIMUM) of fuss and expense. How well will the HP Deskjet (or latest version) serve this purpose? Will any special hardware or software be needed or do I just plug it and start? Will I need HP Deskjet drivers for all my programs or what? Also, in a month or so I am going for the Spectre GCR (when available). Will the Deskjet also work under Mac s/ware? PLEASE ADVICE......I NEED HELP DECIDE UNRGENTLY......THANKS
mccarty@hpuxa.ircc.ohio-state.edu (James E. McCarty) (09/06/89)
I have used a DESKJET and now a DESKJET+ since their introduction. I have had no problems at all. My suggestions: - Use a cheap printer buffer. Not only does it free you machine up more quickly, it seems to protect the ST from the possibility of damage from any mis-match between the Deskjet and ST. I would point out that many of my friends have Deskjets and none have experienced any problems. - Migraph and Neocept offer GDOS drivers for the Deskjet. I have both, but I prefer the Migraph. - Most packages now support the Deskjet. 1st Word plus will support the Deskjet, but you will lose graphics output capability. The two just speak entirely different languages for graphics. - If you have a package that will not support the Deskjet, get the Epson emulation cartridge. It is about 99% compatible. The only package I have that will not thus work is PRINTMASTER. That is because the Deskjet cannot print on the bottom 1/2" of the page. - The Deskjet's ink is not water proof! This is the only serious drawback. You cannot print checks and I would be leery of printing mailing labels. There have been rumors of a water-proof ink but no results. Overall, I love the Deskjet. I think it is a terriffic printer. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Jim McCarty (MCCARTY.HPUXA.IRCC.OHIO.STATE.EDU) 614/292-4843 These are my opinions only and do not reflect those of my emplyer.
rona@hpdml93.HP.COM (Ron Abramson) (09/07/89)
Imran Anwar writes: > HP DESKJET WITH ATARI 1040ST: ANY GOOD: AND HOW? >I am using a 1040 ST and have to buy a printer real soon. >I presently use the ST for wordprocessing and need laser (or laser-like) >output. I usually use 1st Word Plus (can start using Microsoft Write) but >need the printer to start working with the minimum (MINIMUM) of fuss and >expense. [stuff deleted] I have a DeskJet on my Atari system and its works very well. Its slower than a laser printer but for us poor people, its a wonderful printer. You will need to get a printer driver for many programs. However, most of these are pretty easy to get. For 1st Word, you can easily modify another printer driver with information contained in the 1st Word and DeskJet manuals. If you don't even want to go to that much trouble, you'll should have little trouble finding a 1st Word/DeskJet driver on any Atari BBS. For other applications, drivers intended for the LaserJet usually work. If you want Laser quality on a limited budget, I would highly recommend the DeskJet. Good Luck, Ron Abramson rona@hpdml92!hpdml93!hplabs P.S. Don't be fooled! Just because I work at HP doesn't make me a qualified expert or spokesman in this area. I don't work at a printer division; I'm just an Atari user who happens to have a DeskJet.