[comp.sys.hp] ? with the HP DeskJet

dauksa@ecf.toronto.edu (Linas P Dauksa) (04/22/89)

I would like to use the HP DeskJet printer to produce quality output
from desktop publishing packages such as Ventura and Pagemaker.
I understand the DeskJet supports level 3 of the LaserJet graphics
language. Will I be able to configure my software for a LaserJet
printer and get full page graphics output on the DeskJet?  

HP recently announced DeskJet II. What are the improvements over 
version I?

Thanks,
Linas Dauksa

neff@hpvcfs1.HP.COM (Dave Neff) (04/25/89)

The DeskJet and DeskJet+ are not page printers so LaserJet drivers will
not work except for graphics only output (and sometimes there are even
problems with that).  There is a Microsoft Windows driver that supports
the DeskJet printer (will also work with the DeskJet+) which I use with
Pagemaker all the time.  Always get a DeskJet driver for your application.
LaserJet drivers sometimes do not work and often when they do work do not
give optimal performance on a DeskJet or DeskJet+.  The DeskJet windows
driver comes with current releases of windows or you can get it from
HP (call our support line at 208-353-2551).  A DeskJet+ windows
driver will soon be available to support the new DeskJet+ only
font cartridges, but the current DeskJet windows driver will drive
a DeskJet+ as long as DeskJet font cartridges are used.

The main difference between the DeskJet and DeskJet+ is that the later
is faster (especially for graphics, up to 5x faster), has more built
in fonts, and built in landscape.  If you use Pagemaker on an 8mhz PC
it you will not even come close to keeping up with a DeskJet+ when doing
complicated graphics and mixed text and graphics.  Now on a faster PC
you might come closer to getting the most out of a DeskJet+.
If you see a DeskJet and DeskJet+ side by side printing (especially
graphics or desktop publishing) the DeskJet+ will be a clear winner and
the street price difference isn't really all that much.  If you have
a slow PC and/or do mostly text only output, no landscape, no 30 point
fonts the DeskJet will save you a bit of money.

The DeskJet+ also has a larger addressing space and there are new DeskJet+
only cartridges that support more fonts per cartridge and point sizes up
to 30 point.  All DeskJet cartridges (except the Epson emulation) work in
the DeskJet+ but DeskJet+ cartridges will not work in a DeskJet.

Dave Neff
hpfcla!hpvcfs1!neff

howeird@hpwrce.HP.COM (Howard Stateman) (04/25/89)

>I would like to use the HP DeskJet printer to produce quality output
>from desktop publishing packages such as Ventura and Pagemaker.

The Deskjet comes with a diskette of drivers for several software
packages, including Lotus & Pagemaker. It is usually up to the software
vendor to build the driver, and bundle it with their product.


>I understand the DeskJet supports level 3 of the LaserJet graphics
>language. Will I be able to configure my software for a LaserJet
>printer and get full page graphics output on the DeskJet?  
>Linas Dauksa

No, there are enough differences between the Laserjet and Deskjet codes, that
most software will burp when you configure the software for an HP Laserjet
Printer and then send it to a Deskjet. This is usually because the
software's printer driver for the Laserjet is incomplete, and not due
to any incompatibility between the two printers' code sets. 

My best advice is to contact your software vendor to find out the extent of 
their Deskjet support. Or any of their printer support. 


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|Howard Stateman, Hewlett-Packard Response Center, Mountain View, CA |
|howeird@hpwrce.HP.COM      or     hplabs!hpwrce!howeird             |
|Disclaimer: I couldn't possibly speak for HP. I know too much.      |
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