sho@maxwell.physics.purdue.edu (Sho Kuwamoto) (03/29/90)
We've just started the slow process of computerizing one of our undergraduate labs, and we would be eternally grateful for some information about printers from others who may have had to deal with the same types of problems. We are looking at something like 15 Mac IIci's with hard disks. Networked, but no fileserver. We need reccommendations on printers. 1) If we assume that *high* quality output is not neccesary, will Imagewriters satisfy our needs? My gut feeling is that with this many machines, it would be more efficient to get a couple of laserprinters. Putting an Imagewriter on each station should be about the same cost as getting two Laserwriters. Less hassle, better output, hopefully less maintainence in the long run. 2) If we go with a laserprinter from Apple, what are the relative advantages/disadvantages to the IISC, IINT, and the IINTX. Yes, I know one has no Postscript, and one is faster. What I need is a rough idea of throughput. Since this is a lab setup, we expect most users will have to make printouts at roughly the same time, i.e., the end of the class period. If we assume 3-5 pages per station and we want the printing done in, say, 10-15 minutes, how many printers will we need? What type will give the most throughput for the price? Again, Postscript would be nice, but is not required. What if we have 30 stations? 3) If there are any outstanding third party products, I'd love to hear of them. However, given bureaucracy, it'd probably be easier to push Apple products. In either case, I'd appreciate any comments. With your help, this project may finally get off the ground. -Sho -- sho@physics.purdue.edu <<-- what was that? power to be your best? something like that.