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From: rrd@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Ray Depew)
Newsgroups: comp.periphs.printers
Subject: Re: Inkjet Printers Anyone?
Message-ID: <8400006@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM>
Date: 22 Feb 91 05:06:16 GMT
References: <4509@syma.sussex.ac.uk>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Lines: 50

In comp.periphs.printers, stevedc@syma.sussex.ac.uk (Stephen Carter) asks:

>We are currently looking at buying about 7 printers to add on to some
>PC's.  Users' expectations are (rightly) rising, so instead of the
>'normal' cheapo 9 pin dot matrix I have been costing in buying 24-pin
>printers.
>
>However, these printers will be in an office environment, some of them
>in shared offices, so noise is potentially a problem.  The jump in price
>is manageable, especially when in practice money will be spent on
>soundproofing  at least some of the 24 pin printers.
>
>So, I turn to Inkjets.  Hitherto our experience of Inkjets has been
>imperfect - we tried one a few years ago (Siemens) and it has not been a
>success.  (BTW the printers must be able to print on 'ordinary' office
>paper, and on ordinary continuous paper)
>
>Are Inkjets any good?  Are any makes better/worse than others?  Are
>consumables realistically priced?  
>
>Are the Epson ones any good?  (I have no special brief for Epson, its
>just that we know the command set!)

You need to treat yourself to a demo of the HP DeskJet 500 printer.  This is
a whisper-quiet inkjet printer that gives you laser-quality, 300 dpi text and
graphics.

Inkjet printers have come a long way since the first (embarrassing) days.  
The DeskJet printers have a disposable ink cartridge/printhead combination.
Replacing the cartridge is as easy as popping out the old one, popping in the
new one and pressing the "prime" button if you're nervous.  There's no way for
the ink to get on your fingers, clothes or anywhere, and it's good to --
what is it? -- 25,000 pages, I think, on average?

DeskJets use the same PCL protocol as the HP LaserJet series, but you can
buy an Epson emulation cartridge that lets your DJ understand the Epson
protocol as well.

You asked if any make was better or worse than another; obviously, I'm
heavily prejudiced towards the DeskJet :-) .  But it really is a good printer,
and I doubt if you can beat its price.  It probably wouldn't do any good
to quote U.S. prices here, since you're posting from the U.K.  You can contact
any computer dealer or HP sales office for more information.


Regards
Ray Depew
HP ICBD -- IC's by Bill and Dave   
Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
rrd@hpfitst1.hp.com