Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!intercon!Gaige@InterCon.Com
From: Gaige@InterCon.Com (Gaige B. Paulsen)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: HP LaserJet IIP
Message-ID: <1624@intercon.com>
Date: 13 Dec 89 20:47:08 GMT
References: <89340.151737PER@PSUVM.BITNET>
Sender: news@intercon.com
Reply-To: Gaige@InterCon.Com (Gaige B. Paulsen)
Lines: 43

I have a LaserJet IIP and have been using it with the JetWriter from Insight.
(I think this is still in the testing phases, but it will be out soon). 
So far, I have found the combination to be great for low-volume, single-user
output needs.  I use it at home (and networked LW's here at the office) for
printing a wide variety of documents (graphics, text, etc).  Most commonly,
I use it with ATM which has turned out to be an exceptional match for the
print quality of the IIP.

For those who don't know, the JetWriter is an interface board for the IIP
which puts a 230kbps serial port on the back of the printer, thereby almost
eliminating the comm link as a speed barrier.

The printer prints best on fast machines ( I use it on my Portable and IIx,
and the IIx is about twice as fast), which makes since because the imaging
is done on the Mac.

Printing with the built-in or cartridge fonts gives a very fast response
from the printer (i.e. it keeps up with its 4ppm engine), but you don't get
a lot of font flexibilty.

As usual, the Insight drivers are well written and compatible with most apps
(I haven't found one yet that doesn't like it).

Caveats:
  o  This solution is for 1 printer to 1 mac solutions only (no network adaptor)
  o  For printing full pages of monospaced or small text in bit-mapped mode,
     you will need more than .5MB of memory( which is included in the printer).
  o  Printing pages with lots of text in lots of fonts using ATM can be slow
     (but the output looks great)

Advantages:
  o  Low cost (I got my LJ IIP for <$1000 at a local computer store, and
     Insight says they will price the JetWriter at about $349 or some such).
  o  Great output (when coupled with ATM especially). [I am partial to Oblique
     fonts]


Hope this helps!

Gaige B. Paulsen
Author
InterCon Systems Corporation
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