Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!maverick.ksu.ksu.edu!hoss!glacier!price From: price@glacier.unl.edu (Chad Price) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware Subject: Re: Compatibility: Laserjet II, II/D, III ? Message-ID: Date: 1 Aug 90 16:50:45 GMT References: <3964@rex.cs.tulane.edu> Sender: news@hoss.unl.edu (Network News Administer) Distribution: usa Organization: University of Nebraska, Computing Resource Center Lines: 95 In <3964@rex.cs.tulane.edu> 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: PLease note that most of your questions are answered in the HP advertising literature. The IID is not a new release - it has been out at least a couple of years. >1. Are the II/D and the III totally software compatible with the II? The soft fonts are compatable. THere are other differences such as the number of fonts which can be loaded at once, the number allowable per page, etc. >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? My wife has a III in her lab. I have a IIP. I can't see a whole lot of difference in the text we use. There are more likely to be visible differences in graphics output. >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. THe III is newer, has more convenience features & cheaper. The III has scalable fonts built in so that for most normal purposes, soft fonts are not needed. >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. The IID is "heavy duty" - it has a higher MTBF rating, it has larger paper trays, it prints on both sides of the page if you tell it to. THere are other differences also. >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? A partial answer is that font cartridges (to the best of my knowlege) are interchangable amoung all of the series II printers and with the III. >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. We all have opinions, some are more or less valid. The validity of mine are limited by the fact that I have used lots of the original LaserJet, a few Plusses, no LJ500s, 2 IIPs, 1 III, and 1 IID (once). I would buy a III except for a situation where exceptionally heavy use will occur. It has more features, it is cheaper, and extra memory is available 3rd party cheaply. I would purchase mail order from the cheapest place that looks like it will actually deliver the goods. HP stands behind their products >100%. Most HP dealers locally will be able to fix whatever goes wrong. I have never seen an HP LJ printer die during the warrenty period (Yes, I know about the power supplies on the IIP, but HP Fed-X'd a new one to me at no cost to me & mine did not fail). IMO, steer clear of Businessland. The local shop was very uncooperative about the IIP power supply replacement, and from what I gathered, HP had lots of complaints about Businessland with regards to the IIP power supply replacement program. I had a problem with my IIP (I thought), and the HP engineer who designed the I/O for the IIP got involved and helped me solve the problem (which was reversely polarized, ungrounded outlets) . I will post more on this in the Laser Printers group in a day or so. Final conclusion - you can't go wrong with HP Laser Printers. IMHO the III is the best of the lot for general use. Chad Price price@fergvax.unl.edu >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! >Thank you again. >Dave Doerschuk >doerschu@rex.cs.tulane.edu