Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!hplabs!hpcc05!hpdmd48!sgothard
From: sgothard@hpdmd48.boi.hp.com (Steve Gothard)
Newsgroups: comp.periphs.printers
Subject: Re: Information on Okidata 400?
Message-ID: <16830006@hpdmd48.boi.hp.com>
Date: 29 Jan 91 19:57:23 GMT
References: <1991Jan26.184127.18254@cs.columbia.edu>
Organization: Hewlett Packard - Boise, ID
Lines: 43


 Ok, maybe I should have said don't compare apples and oranges. My point is
 that if you want a "Laser Printer" then you have to pay more because
 lasers and mirrors cost more than LED's.  As for advantages and disadvantages
 of each technology read PC Magazine, Feb. 13, 1990.  One obvious advantage
 of using a laser is that the beam can be modulated enabling the use of
 Resolution Enhancement Technology. While this is not done on the LJIIP
 using a diode array precludes any future use of modulation techniques.
 An obvious disadvantage of the LED array is that the array must be located
 in close proximity of the photosensitive drum and can become contaminated
 with toner particles and block the light output of the LED's causing holes
 in characters.  Also if a single LED should die a white streak would appear
 in the output and the LED array would have to be replaced. 

 I guess I am anoyed at Okidata refering to their printer as Okilaser
 thus implying to the average consumer that it is a "Laser Printer"
 when in fact it is not.  Also before someone invests in a product
 they should do some research and answer some important questions.

 1) What kind of support can I expect?
    a) When I buy the product.
    b) 3 or more years from now.
 2) Why does company A sell their product for less than a comparable product from company B.
    a) Maybe the products are not really "comparable" due to different technologies.
    b) Is one company trying to buy "Market Share"?, and if so how long can they afford to
       do this if they don't succeed.
 3) Is this product line profitable for the company?, strong profits from a product line
    help to ensure future support for products, weak profits or worse losses from buying
    market share make for a shakey future.
 4) How available are accessories, upgrades, consumables, fonts, memory, software support, etc?
 5) How expensive are accessories, upgrades, consumables, fonts, memory, software support, etc?
 6) How well is this product supported by independent hardware and software vendors?
 7) What is the reliability of the product and the manufacturer?
 8) How well does the product meet my needs?
    a) Now.
    b) 3 or more years from now.
 9) Can the product be upgraded to meet my changing needs?

 Enough said, I have to get back to work to keep ahead of the competition.

 Steve Gothard
 Hewlett Packard
 LaserJet Capital of the World