[comp.sys.mac] Mac and the HP LaserJet II

frel@randvax.UUCP (Dave Frelinger) (02/24/88)

    I have the dubious responsibility of trying to connect a LaserJetII to
a MacII, and was wondering if anyone has successfully connected a Mac to a
LaserJet printer before.  I would appreciate any tips on where to pick up
a suitable driver for the LaserJetII.  Thanks.


Dave Frelinger

ees@antique.UUCP (Gene Sampieri) (02/26/88)

In article <1352@randvax.UUCP> frel@rand-unix.UUCP (Dave Frelinger) writes:
>Keywords:LaserJet
>
>
>
>    I have the dubious responsibility of trying to connect a LaserJetII to
>a MacII, and was wondering if anyone has successfully connected a Mac to a
>LaserJet printer before.  I would appreciate any tips on where to pick up
>a suitable driver for the LaserJetII.  Thanks.
>
>
>Dave Frelinger

I have one connected and working fine. The driver comes from;

	Softstyle
	7192 Kalanianole Highway, Suite 205
	Honolulu, Hawaii 96825
	1-808-396-6368

	"LaserStart"

It works with Laserjet + and Series II HP Laserjet printers.  The only 
application that I have found it won't work with is HyperCard.  Seems thet
HyperCard uses internal references to the Laserwriter and Imagewriter
printers, ignoring the DA installed one.

Softstyle also makes drivers for other printers

	BlueStart - IMB printers
	MatrixStart  - for Epson and others

I ordered mine from a local computer store (Vista in NJ).

My LaserJet is installed using the parallel port on the printer via
a serial-to-parallel converter box. I do this to more easily share
the printer with a PC using a simple switch box instead of having
to go through the menu selection on the LaserJet.

Gene Sampieri
Bell Labs HO
vax135!ees

sysop@stech.UUCP (Jan Harrington) (02/27/88)

in article <1352@randvax.UUCP>, frel@randvax.UUCP (Dave Frelinger) says:
> Keywords:LaserJet
> 
> 
> 
>     I have the dubious responsibility of trying to connect a LaserJetII to
> a MacII, and was wondering if anyone has successfully connected a Mac to a
> LaserJet printer before.  I would appreciate any tips on where to pick up
> a suitable driver for the LaserJetII.  Thanks.
> 
> 

Do you really have to do this?  It can be done, with little effort, actually,
but don't plan to be overjoyed with the result.

SoftStyle makes a driver - LaserStart - which also comes with the necessary
cable.  Install the driver, use the Chooser to select the printer, and away
you go.  However, what you get is little more than an expensive Imagewriter
unless you access HP font cartridges.  Even then, you don't get the full range
of fonts that you do with Postscript or QuickDraw printers.

I tried this, a couple of years ago, with a LaserJet +.  I sold it within
two months, mortaged the cat, and bought a LaserWriter ...   (p.s., it was
the best decision I could have made and I still have the cat!!!)


Jan Harrington, sysop
Scholastech Telecommunications
UUCP: ihnp4!husc6!amcad!stech!sysop or allegra!stech!sysop
BITNET: JHARRY@BENTLEY

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