krm@aluxz.UUCP (Kurt Marko) (09/22/88)
I am wondering if anyone has experience interfacing the Mac to H-P's LaserJet II printer. I know virtually nothing about this printer other than it uses its own page description language (not PostScript). I can think of a couple scenarios whereby the software interface could be accomplished (I presume the genuine interface is straightforward enough using the Mac's serial port and maybe a 'Grappler' to go parallel): 1. A PostScript interpreter board attached to (in place of) H-P's own page formatting hardware. This sounds expensive, but would seem to offer all the advantages of PS. 2. A device driver which would transform the Mac's font and graphics information (in Quickdraw) to whatever form the H-P understands prior to downloading to the printer (I guess this is complicated by the fact that the H-P stores its fonts on ROM cartridges and one would have to have the appropriate font "plugged in" for this to work properly...perhaps someone with experience can enlighten me here). My questions are: what are people's experience regarding this problem (I'm sure it's not unique). I've heard of a PS board for the LaserJet from QMS; does anyone else make one. Does such software (as mentioned in item #2) exist (I haven't heard of any)? Would a 'Grappler' or similar device and driver do the trick, or would it compromise graphics quality (compared to PS or QD). How about the new Cricket device drivers, do/will they have a version for the LaserJet II? Posting or e-mailing of replies graciously accepted. Thanks for any help. Kurt Marko ...att!aluxz!krm