Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!gatech!ncsuvx!mcnc!ecsvax!ruslan From: ruslan@ecsvax.UUCP (Robin C. LaPasha) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga Subject: Re: DeskJet+ Questions Summary: to sum up from several requests... Keywords: deskjet printer hp Message-ID: <7424@ecsvax.UUCP> Date: 2 Aug 89 04:26:07 GMT References: <459@tw-rnd.SanDiego.NCR.COM> Organization: UNC Educational Computing Service Lines: 81 [I've received LOTS of requests for more DeskJet experiences/info; after mailing many and bouncing several, here's my (updated) generic DJ thoughts as a customer:] How do I love my DeskJet? Let me count the ways... 1. Absolutely no horizontal streaks in your graphics printouts (or your Amiga bitmap fonts!) 2. It takes copy paper (or any cut sheet paper, though it looks better with good quality stuff) in its intake tray, and turns it over into its output tray. Both trays are easy to get at, and you get a smaller footprint. 3. It's got 300 dpi, just like a Laserwriter. It's slightly "fuzzy" compared to laser printers, because of the ink vs. toner. But, it's lots sharper than any dot matrix output I've seen (that includes several of the Panasonics, a NEC or two, some Toshibas, Stars, Epsons ...) 4. The new Plus (_do_ make sure you get a Plus, for $750 or less mail order;) is 5 times faster than the previous model, and has lots more built-in fonts. As (my older model) is, straight text is _fast_, and draft mode (even faster) is fine for most informal purposes (not an eyestrain problem, equivalent to what you get with a fabric ribbon on a typewriter.) 5. Although they recommend against getting junk down in the mechanisms, I've lifted up the lid and "peeked" lots, without harm. And my 8 lb. cat likes to stand on top of the lid and supervise (especially during the wake-up test, when the paper feeders wiggle.) 6. Envelopes are spiff. You pull off the output tray cover (on top,) stuff in an envelope, press two buttons, and send your text through. (I successfully eyeballed margins for output using memacs, and cat'ing it straight, the other day.) 7. The PostScript interpreter (newly renamed PixelScript) from Pixelations is specially optimized for the DeskJet. (They say that their tests haven't indicated that the Plus is much faster for their product.) There is also an AmigaTeX driver for it, if you're that type (though I'm not sure about the Plus.) 8. All normal buttons are in easy reach. Things I wish I had, or need to look out for ... 1. A line feed button would be nice. There's a form feed button, but line feeds are in software only. (I didn't notice; maybe they put one on the Plus? Something to check.) 2. The ink cartridges. No muss no fuss. Supposedly they can do 2.5 million characters draft mode, or .8 million characters letterQ. Ours just ran out. On the one hand, we've done LOTS of DPaint and Postscript graphics. On the other hand, we haven't used a ream yet. In any case, when the cartridges do run out, it's $15-$18 bucks a pop, and there apparently aren't any generics (there's a circuit layout on the darn thing, evidently to electrostatically control the ink spray.) 3. The ink is water soluble. So make a copy if it goes in the rain/mail. 4. Russell Williamson (nearby here) was having troubles with his DeskJet. It turns out that there's a minor flaw in the 1.3 C-A driver that causes (some programs) to have one extra line feed at the top of the first page of a document. (It really drove him to tear his hair out, too! ;^)) Allen Norskog worked up a fix using NewZap (or your preferred editor of that sort;) I can find it if necessary. In addition, WordPerfect is still working on their Plus driver. You _may_ need one of WP's recent Print disks (with either model) for satisfactory margins and whatnot. The HP Customer Info number in my manual is 800-752-0900. Last week's (?) _InfoWorld_ had a review of the DeskJet Plus (and refs to its previous review of the original DeskJet.) Good luck! -- =-=-=-=-=-=-=- Robin LaPasha |Deep-Six your ruslan@ecsvax.uncecs.edu |files with VI! ;^) ;^) ;^)