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From: hbj@uafhcx.uucp (Bernard Johnson)
Newsgroups: comp.misc,comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Need Info on 24-pin Printers
Summary: DeskJet beat most if not all 24 pins
Keywords: parallel interface, Epsons, and the DeskJet+
Message-ID: <4196@uafhp.uark.edu>
Date: 4 May 90 18:13:50 GMT
References: <14549@cbnewse.ATT.COM>
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Organization: College of Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Lines: 63


In article <14549@cbnewse.ATT.COM>, macduff@cbnewse.ATT.COM (Roger R. Espinosa) writes:
> What are the good 24-pin printers out there?  I think the street price for
> the DeskJet+ has been about $475 (after the rebate), but the computer I'm
> getting may only be able to access this in Epson-emulation mode.  I haven't
> investigated what the DeskJet+ in Epson-emulation mode actually means (is
> it emulating an LQ printer? or an RX/MX-printer? Is it slower? etc.), but
> I know where I can find this info about.

Why would your *computer* only be able to use Epson-emulation mode?  It is the
software that you should worry about (Unless you are doing prt-scr or such).

The Epson emulation mode should probably NEVER be used as long as you have a
DeskJet or + driver.  The text from the emulator is up to par but the graphics
really stink because the emulator emulates an Epson FX-80 which is a 9-pin.  So
there goes you great 300x300 resolution!  Also the emulator is about $75.  I
can't tell any speed decrease when using mine (but I rarely use it).

> What I'm looking for is a good 24-pin printer that is either about as much
> as the street price of the DeskJet+ (which the LQ-850 doesn't seem to be), or
> which 24-pin printers you like and would recommend.

A few things to think about:   
	(1)  In my experience a 24 pin's LQ mode is nowhere near REAL LQ.  The
	DeskJet has a very nice LQ mode.  Don't let anyone tell you they can't tell
	the difference between a DeskJet printout and a LaserJet printout because it
	is easy to tell the difference in quality.

	(2)  If you get a DeskJet you will have to beware of sweaty hands, people
	who lick their finger to page through documents, rain, spit, etc.  Not
	really a problem for most of us, but the ink will smear if it gets wet.

	(3)  A good 24 pin will probably smoke the DeskJet in cps.  HP obviously
	didn't count the paper handling time into their published calculations (120
	cps LQ and 240 draft -- for DeskJet).

	(4)  There is still a lot of software that doesn't have a DeskJet driver
	whereas they will alway have a 24 pin driver.

	(5)  The font handling capabilities of the DeskJet is fairly impressive.  I
	don't know of any 24 pins that match up.  But what good is it if you don't
	need it?

I am not trying to sell a printer for HP or trying to keep anyone from buying a
HP printer, I am just giving a REAL world view of the difference between by
DeskJet and some of my friends 24 pins. 

> Please e-mail replies. Thanks!
> Roger
> rre@ihlpn.ATT.COM

I thought the net might like to see this too.

Bernard

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