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From: wwtaroli@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Bill Taroli)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Re: Which is better:  HP DeskWriter, HP DeskJet or the GCC PLP IIS?
Message-ID: <1990Sep8.054615.25881@rodan.acs.syr.edu>
Date: 8 Sep 90 05:46:15 GMT
Sender: wwtaroli@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Bill Taroli)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Lines: 49
In-Reply-To: <114@atux01.UUCP>

In article <114@atux01.UUCP> you write:
>I have been looking into possibly getting a laser printer.  I'm wondering if
>any of you know or feel that one of these printers is better than the other
>and why.
>
>HP DeskWriter (for ~$700)
>HP DeskJet (for ~$500)

Well, I currently use an HP DeskWriter (2278A). Basically, there is no
difference in the hardware of the two printers. However, the DeskWriter has
been given I/O ports to match the Mac. Also, you'll find that the DeskWriter
does not have a font cartridge slot since fonts are generated from the Mac.

Another problem with using the DeskJet would be the requirement of a special
cable and printer driver software.

So, if you were to make a decision between these two printers, your best 
choice would, in fact, be the DeskWriter. It has Mac ports and driver software
included. 

BTW, you will find two different versions of the DeskWriter out there. A now
discontinued 2278A, and the newly released 2279A. The ONLY difference between
these two models is that the 2279A adds support for AppleTalk. So, if you 
are using the printer in a single user environment and can save some money
by getting a 2278A, do it!

Also, amidst many confusing opinions, the DeskWriter DOES work with ATM. The
DeskWriter comes with customized fonts that tend to scale better with HP's
page generator (licensed from Agfa Compugraphic), but will coexist with ATM
just the same. The process is: if HP font outline is installed, use it; 
otherwise, request 4X font. If ATM is available, it would be used to generate
the 4X font, which would then be downloaded to the printer.

If you have any other questions about the use of the DeskWriter with the Mac,
mail me directly.

Regards,

Bill Taroli
Hewlett-Packard Company
Corporate Marketing Administration Systems
Sales Order Statistics Group

wwtaroli@rodan.acs.syr.edu
--
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* Bill Taroli (WWTAROLI@RODAN.acs.syr.edu)    | "You can and must understand  *
* Syracuse University, Syracuse NY            | computers NOW!" -- Ted Nelson *
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