Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!dali.cs.montana.edu!rpi!image.soe.clarkson.edu!ub!boulder!seri!wind55!marshall From: marshall@wind55.seri.gov (Marshall L. Buhl) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware Subject: Re: Compatibility: Laserjet II, II/D, III ? Message-ID: Date: 31 Jul 90 20:30:39 GMT References: <3964@rex.cs.tulane.edu> Sender: news@seri.gov (news) Distribution: usa Organization: Solar Energy Research Institute Lines: 80 doerschu@rex.cs.tulane.edu (Dave Doerschuk) writes: >I am looking to buy a Hewlett Packard Laserjet printer, either the >II/D or the III. I am concerned about the compatibility of these >two printers with the Laserjet II. Since both the II/D and the >III are new, they don't appear on the setup menus of most of my >software. I'd like to know: >1. Are the II/D and the III totally software compatible with the II? We have both LJ II's and a new LJ III. Some of my users have been using the LJ III with their LJ II drivers. The only problem I've seen was in using Golden Software's "Grapher". One user had an old version and it wouldn't print vertical bars "|". My newer version of Grapher worked fine. We have used it for word processing too and no one has complained. The LJ II/D is essentially a LJ II that prints on both sides of the paper. >2. Is the output of the III (as enhanced by some special hardware > that HP installed before the rasterizer) noticably better than > the output of the II, and does the II/D have this feature? I only did one quick test of a graphics image (2-D plot) and couldn't tell the difference. The II/D does not have the Resolution Enhancement feature. >3. Could someone define the difference between the II and the III? > I'm really having a hard time cutting thru the hype and getting > the real story on this one. Resolution Enhancement and more built-in fonts. The III has Times and Helvetica Clones built-in, so I don't have to download fonts anymore. 8-) I've only used it with WinWord and it appears that the fonts sizes available in it are 6,8,10,11,12,14,18,24,30,36,48, which ain't too shabby. I don't know if one gets different sizes with other software. It can also rotate and scale fonts. If you have a portrait font cartridge, you can print landscape at the cost of slightly reduced speed. >4. Why is the II/D so much more expensive than the III? There must > be some benefit here that I'm missing; it was described to me > as an 8ppm laserjet laser printer. It prints on both sides of the page. >5. As I understand it, the cartridge connector on the III is different > from that of the II, but the II/D is the same as the II. Is this > correct? Does anyone know of a benefit to the new cartridge > connector in the III? It cannot accept cartridges made for the II, > right? Being uncertain which cartridge you mean, I'll say that I believe both the toner cartridge and fonts cartridges are the same. >6. I'd sure like to have opinions here. I'm going to buy one of them, > and remarks from people who have used them would be much appreciated. > Also, comments about where you purchased yours and whether you were > happy with the dealer would be great. I think the built-in Times and Helvetica clones make it worth it. It's cheaper that the LJ II too. I've only been using it for a week though. I got mine from Random Access. I've been working with them for several years now. They're one of my regular PC vendors. I paid $1602 for it. >Thank you very much for your time! I will be summarizing to the net, so >feel free to email if you like. BTW, least I besmirch their name, I'd >like to mention that I am a big fan of HP and have used their products >happily for years. I'm just a bit confused as to what to buy! Get the LJ III. Fer sure man. >Thank you again. You're welcome. -- Marshall L. Buhl, Jr. EMAIL: marshall@seri.gov Senior Computer Missionary VOICE: (303)231-1014 Wind Research Branch 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401-3393 Solar Energy Research Institute Solar - safe energy for a healthy future