bergman@ceres.m2c.org (08/24/90)
I am planning on purchasing a Mac IIfx soon, and am thinking of getting a laser printer with it. The two paths I am promarily considering are either getting the BLP II postscript printer from GCC, or getting one of the several QuickDraw printers available, and a software version of PostScript to run in the background. Has anyone out there got experience with the latter configuration? Issues that have come up are these: what options are there for software? Freedom of Press, for example, works best with HP printers, not quickdraw printers. I do plan to produce mostly straight text, but would like occasional access to PostScript. I expect that the high speed of the fx would allow it to do printer spooling and processing in the background without significantly affecting the speed of "normal" tasks such as using a word processor. Anyone have experience with this? I've heard good things about the PLP from GCC, and the BLP looks nice as well. Any bad points? Thanks, --mike bergman --mike bergman Massachusetts Microelectronics Center 75 North Drive, Westborough, MA 01581, USA +1 (508) 870-0312 x262 UUCP: (...harvard)!m2c!bergman INTERNET: bergman@m2c.org
mccabe@proline.cs.unc.edu (Daniel McCabe) (08/25/90)
In article <5881@m2c.M2C.ORG> bergman@ceres.m2c.org () writes: > > I expect that the high speed of the fx would allow it to do printer > spooling and processing in the background without significantly affecting > the speed of "normal" tasks such as using a word processor. Anyone > have experience with this? > I run a (classic) PLP from an accelerated Mac II. The PLP requires full CPU attention when sending the image to the printer, so you don't have background printing ability with the PLP. However, even with a stock Mac II, image generation time is respectable (compare the 16 MHz 68020 in the Mac II with the 12 MHz 68000 in a LaserWriter; this argument holds modulo Postscript). > I've heard good things about the PLP from GCC, and the BLP looks nice > as well. Any bad points? One of the biggest complaints that most people have with the PLP is that toner loading can result in a big mess (because the toner cartridge is not a sealed system, unlike Canon toner cartidges). However, if you are reasonably careful, you should have no problems. I haven't made a mess yet. This is an issue for both the PLP and BLP, since they both use a Ricoh engine, but not the new PLP II (I think). I also had problems with streaking on the page. GCC sent me a new gizmo (OPC?, cleaning assembly?) for free, which fixed the problem. BTW, this was AFTER the warranty expired. Cheers, danm Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with GCC other than as a satisfied customer.