Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!hplabs!hp-pcd!hpvcfs1!neff
From: neff@hpvcfs1.HP.COM (Dave Neff)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: The real "scoop" on HP DeskWriter
Message-ID: <780014@hpvcfs1.HP.COM>
Date: 6 Jul 89 18:56:43 GMT
Organization: Hewlett Packard, Vancouver, WA
Lines: 59

I have gotten mail asking for details on the new HP DeskWriter so here goes:

What is a DeskWriter and how does it relate to a DeskJet+?

The DeskWriter is a 57K baud serial 300DPI graphics only printer designed
specifically for the Apple Macintosh computers.  Mechanically, the
DeskWriter is the same as a DeskJet+.  Electrically, the DeskWriter
has the same processor running at the same speed as a DeskJet+ but
has electronics and firmware optimized for high speed serial graphics
and is in the standard Mac color scheme (not the HP color scheme).
From a user interface the DeskWriter looks much like a DeskJet+ but has
a simpler keypannel and no font cartridge slots.  A new 2D data
compression mode was added to the printer and driver (patent pending :-) )
that achieves remarkable compression rates eliminating the IO from
being a bottleneck in virtually all cases (scanned images are sometimes
an exception).

The DeskWriter comes with a Chooser compatable QuickDraw driver that
uses scaleable outline fonts.  All font scaling and filling is done in
the Mac, not in the printer.  The DeskWriter driver will work with
all Quickdraw compatable applications, but not, of course, PostScript
only applications. The DeskWriter driver requires at least 1 Meg of
RAM (2 recommended) and a hard disk.  Several outline fonts come with
the driver, Courier, Times, Symbols, and Triumvirate (like Helvetica).
More optional fonts are available.  On a MAC II the printer performs
at a page per minute rate.  When doing text only the DeskWriter is
about 1/2 to 1/3 as fast as a LaserWriter.  When doing heavy graphics
oriented printing the DeskWriter performance is comparable (and sometimes
faster) than a LaserWriter.  Performance when printing from a Mac Plus
or Mac SE is about 1/2 to 3/4 as fast as printing from a Mac 2.  Besides
outline font scaling and filling the driver also supports raster fonts
(4X fonts recommended for best quality) and polygon smoothing.

The DeskWriter retails for $1195 compared to the $995 price of the
DeskJet+.  The price difference is mainly due to the cost of developing
and supporting the Mac driver that comes with the printer and royalties
that go to the company that supplies the outline fonts (and some of the
font scaling technology).  Once you get the original copy of the DeskWriter
driver all updates will be free from your local dealer (the new driver will
be copied onto your original disk).

I suspect the street price of a DeskWriter might get close to $800 but
I don't know for sure.  Before making any decisions on buying a new
personal use Mac printer go to your dealer and see a demo of the
DeskWriter.  I think you will be pleased.  There is really no comparison
between the DeskWriter and its driver with any of the DeskJet drivers
available for the MAC both in performance and quality of output.

Hope this information helps.

By the way, I was involved in the DeskJet+ development not the
DeskWriter development.  I just seem to be braver at posting to
the net than some of the other people around here.  People who
were on the DeskWriter team do read notes regularly so ask any
hard technical questions you might have.  I'm sure someone will
answer (if its not proprietary of course).
  
Dave Neff
hpvcfs1!neff