jp@unix.cis.pitt.edu (Jefferson Provost) (08/22/90)
I seem to remember reading here (though I may be wrong) a couple of postings about using the HP Deskjet PLUS as a printer for the Macintosh. Is this possible, and if so, what's the difference between the Deskjet PLUS and the Deskwriter? I would figure that you could use any printer capable of producing graphics as a mac printer, provided the printer drivers exist, so I guess my real question should be, is there a Mac printer driver for the Deskjet PLUS? The reason I ask is that Pitt's university computer store is having a big fall sale in which they are selling both the Dj+ and the DW, but they are advertising the Dj+ as a printer for PC compatible machines, and the Deskwriter as the printer for Macs. Of course, they're charging $200 more for the Deskwriter. I'm getting a Mac in September, and at some point I'd like to get a nice printer for it, and I'd like to know if I'd have to spend the extra $$ for the DW, or could I just get the Dj+? Much obliged, Jeff (jp@unix.cis.pitt.edu)
dapron@hpsmpa.HP.COM (Mike Dapron) (08/24/90)
GET THE DESKWRITER!!! I bought a DeskJet PLUS one month before we (HP) announced the DeskWriter. The DeskJet PLUS will work if you use one of the third-party printer driver packages targeted at the HP LaserJet. I believe Grappler or Grappler LX might work. I can't remember the name of the package that I used (I'll find out and post it tomorrow). I had a few complaints about the way the DeskJet worked with the printer driver I bought (I don't know if the Grappler products have the same problems). First, I could never get the DeskJet to print at 300dpi, even with object-oriented draw programs. Second, it was much slower than the same DeskJet PLUS running on a PC-clone. In short, I couldn't *always* take full advantage of all the DeskJet's features (like built-in fonts), and I couldn't *always* take advantage of QuickDraw. I quickly sold my DeskJet PLUS and bought a DeskWriter, and I'm very happy. QuickDraw is happy too. I now have high-quality, scaled fonts; 300dpi resolution on the scaled fonts and draw graphics; faster operation; and the flexibility to take advantages of programs like Adobe Type Manager. You might shop around on the price of the DeskWriter too. HP has just announced a "new and improved" DeskWriter that supports AppleTalk. The older models should be dropping in price "real soon now." The HP employee price has dropped about 30-40%. In short, if you want to get by cheap and dirty, and you don't mind an occasional compatibility or expandability problem, perhaps the DeskJet PLUS is a good answer. BUT... if you can spare the extra bucks (or if you can find a good stock reduction sale) get the DeskWriter; it's made to work with the Macintosh. I hope this helped!! Mike Dapron HP Colorado Surface Mount Center dapron@hpsmpa.lvld.hpcom