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From: mccabe@proline.cs.unc.edu (Daniel McCabe)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Re: Experience with Quickdraw printers
Message-ID: <15773@thorin.cs.unc.edu>
Date: 24 Aug 90 18:56:52 GMT
References: <5881@m2c.M2C.ORG>
Sender: news@thorin.cs.unc.edu
Reply-To: mccabe@proline.cs.unc.edu (Daniel McCabe)
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Organization: University Of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
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In article <5881@m2c.M2C.ORG> bergman@ceres.m2c.org () writes:
>
>  I expect that the high speed of the fx would allow it to do printer
>  spooling and processing in the background without significantly affecting
>  the speed of "normal" tasks such as using a word processor.  Anyone
>  have experience with this?
>

I run a (classic) PLP from an accelerated Mac II.  The PLP requires full CPU
attention when sending the image to the printer, so you don't have background
printing ability with the PLP.  However, even with a stock Mac II, image
generation time is respectable (compare the 16 MHz 68020 in the Mac II
with the 12 MHz 68000 in a LaserWriter; this argument holds modulo Postscript).

>  I've heard good things about the PLP from GCC, and the BLP looks nice 
>  as well.  Any bad points?

One of the biggest complaints that most people have with the PLP is that toner
loading can result in a big mess (because the toner cartridge is not a sealed
system, unlike Canon toner cartidges).  However, if you are reasonably 
careful, you should have no problems. I haven't made a mess yet.  This is
an issue for both the PLP and BLP, since they both use a Ricoh engine, but 
not the new PLP II (I think).

I also had problems with streaking on the page.  GCC sent me a new gizmo
(OPC?, cleaning assembly?) for free, which fixed the problem.  BTW, this
was AFTER the warranty expired.

Cheers,
danm

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with GCC other than as a satisfied 
customer.