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From: brion@cbnewsh.att.com (brion.n.feinberg)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc,comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Re: New Personal LaserWriters announced
Message-ID: <1990Jul11.131926.5416@cbnewsh.att.com>
Date: 11 Jul 90 13:19:26 GMT
References: <90191.015015MAC111@psuvm.psu.edu>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 66

From article <90191.015015MAC111@psuvm.psu.edu>, by MAC111@psuvm.psu.edu (PAMUG user group, Adrian Sullivan):
> Below is a Press release of two new Personal LaserWriters, the NT and SC.

...

> 
> =====
> Apple Introduces Low-Cost Laser Printers for Macintosh
> 
> CUPERTINO, CaliforniaQJuly 9, 1990QApple Computer, Inc. today launched a new
> line of LaserWriter  printers that give Macintosh  computer users the full
> power and flexibility of laser printing at a more affordable price.  Two new
> printers comprise the line:  the Personal LaserWriter SC, at $1,999, is a
> single-user laser printer for customers requiring basic text and graphics.  The
> Personal LaserWriter NT, at $3,299, is a multiuser laser printer for
> individuals and small work groups with more advanced graphics needs.  As with
> all Apple  LaserWriter printers, the new line is high-quality, easy-to-use and
> configure, and compatible with all Macintosh computers.
> 

Well ... in my opinion (and its only mine - my employer could probably
care less) if you want a non-Postscript, cheap laser printer set up, go
for the following:

1.  An HP Laserjet IIP (available  now for < $900 after rebate)
2.  The MacPrint printer driver (< $100)
3.  Adobe Type Manager (< $60)

I use this all of the time, and it works great. For text only 
documents, I can use the built in fonts and get great 300 dpi output
very quickly.  Even simple graphics print quickly using an option
in the print driver (although the output sometimes prints hidden
items when this option is turned on).  For full 300 dpi text and
graphics that looks just as good as postscript, you give up some
speed, but no quality.

Admittedly, the slow communication (19.6 K) of this set up can be
a bottleneck, slowing printing down to over 10 minutes a page
sometimes.  But other than this, I don't see any advantage to
the new Apple Personal LW SC.  Well, I bet the SC works with
PrintMonitor - background printing with MacPrint requires 
SuperLaserSpool , but that's another $100 (well, mine was free with
my Dataframe harddisk).

One BIG advantage of this set up, at least to me, is that I can
use the IIP to print from DOS (using SoftPC or an A/B switch box).
You can't do that with the Apple SC (I'd guess).

Oh yea, for a little more money, you can put the IIP on Localtalk.  I
use a Shiva NetSerial, but I understand HP now sells a LocalTalk
version of the IIP (price unknown, rebate doubtful). This would
probably bring the price up to a discounted Personal SC, but now
the printer is shareable.

So, that's my input for lower cost printing options (you want really
low cost 300 DPI, price out the DeskJet Plus + MacPrint). I'm happy
with my set up and I wanted to let others now that this alternative
works.

Brion

brion@honet9.att.com


P.S.  I lied a tiny, little bit.  I actually use an HP LaserJet II.
      But MacPrint works with the IIP also.