Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!cbnewsh!brion
From: brion@cbnewsh.att.com (brion.n.feinberg)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Re: HP Laserjet IIP
Message-ID: <1991Jan31.155221.25764@cbnewsh.att.com>
Date: 31 Jan 91 15:52:21 GMT
References: <1991Jan31.054635.6992@cs.uiuc.edu>
Distribution: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 34

From article <1991Jan31.054635.6992@cs.uiuc.edu>, by gillies@cs.uiuc.edu (Don Gillies):
> 
> Yesterday I noticed that the HP IIP laser printer price has dropped to
> about $895 from new york city mail order businesses.  This is only
> about $200 more than a deskwriter.  Is anyone using a IIP with their
> macintosh?  How well does it work, and can you compare it to a
> deskwriter? 
> 
> With the prices so close, a laser printer would seem to be preferable
> to a deskwriter for many reasons (less c/page, no smearing, better
> halftoning, etc).

This isn't quite so simple.  You will need to upgrade the IIP to 1 Meg
of RAM.  Last I checked, that cost over $200 for 3rd party kits.
You will also need to buy MacPrint - that's another $90.

MacPrint works great, but it is slow (unless you use only the built in
fonts in the printer).  If you don't already own ATM, you will need
it with the IIP, but is isn't essential for the DeskWriter.

Other issues to consider: DeskWriter works on LocalTalk and can be
shared on a network.  You will have to buy a NetSerial to share a IIP.
Also, the DeskWriter driver allows page size scaling (25% - 400%) just
like the LaserWriter drivers.  You can't do this with MacPrint (my ONLY
gripe with MacPrint).

In my previous job I had access to a LJ II, so I used MacPrint and
loved it.  In my new job I had to buy a printer, so I bought a DeskWriter.
I am happier with the DeskWriter because it is so much faster, although
you are correct that the quality isn't as good as a laser printer.

Brion

brion@homxb.att.com