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From: dapron@hpsmpa.HP.COM (Mike Dapron)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.wanted
Subject: Re: Deskjet PLUS vs. Deskwriter
Message-ID: <31530001@hpsmpa.HP.COM>
Date: 23 Aug 90 22:59:08 GMT
References: <30495@unix.cis.pitt.edu>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, CSMC (Loveland)
Lines: 40

GET THE DESKWRITER!!!

I bought a DeskJet PLUS one month before we (HP) announced the
DeskWriter.  The DeskJet PLUS will work if you use one of the
third-party printer driver packages targeted at the HP LaserJet.
I believe Grappler or Grappler LX might work.  I can't remember
the name of the package that I used (I'll find out and post it
tomorrow).

I had a few complaints about the way the DeskJet worked with the
printer driver I bought (I don't know if the Grappler products
have the same problems).  First, I could never get the DeskJet to
print at 300dpi, even with object-oriented draw programs.  Second,
it was much slower than the same DeskJet PLUS running on a PC-clone.
In short, I couldn't *always* take full advantage of all the DeskJet's
features (like built-in fonts), and I couldn't *always* take advantage
of QuickDraw.

I quickly sold my DeskJet PLUS and bought a DeskWriter, and I'm very
happy.  QuickDraw is happy too.  I now have high-quality, scaled fonts;
300dpi resolution on the scaled fonts and draw graphics; faster operation;
and the flexibility to take advantages of programs like Adobe Type
Manager.

You might shop around on the price of the DeskWriter too.  HP has just
announced a "new and improved" DeskWriter that supports AppleTalk.
The older models should be dropping in price "real soon now."  The HP
employee price has dropped about 30-40%.

In short, if you want to get by cheap and dirty, and you don't mind an
occasional compatibility or expandability problem, perhaps the DeskJet
PLUS is a good answer.  BUT... if you can spare the extra bucks (or if
you can find a good stock reduction sale) get the DeskWriter; it's
made to work with the Macintosh.

I hope this helped!!

Mike Dapron
HP Colorado Surface Mount Center
dapron@hpsmpa.lvld.hpcom