Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!viusys!uxui!unislc!dgb
From: dgb@unislc.uucp (Douglas Barrett)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st.tech
Subject: Re: HP Deskjet
Message-ID: <1991Mar6.182031.11905@unislc.uucp>
Date: 6 Mar 91 18:20:31 GMT
References: <bhwhelan.667837119@unix1.tcd.ie>
Organization: unisys
Lines: 63

From article <bhwhelan.667837119@unix1.tcd.ie>, by bhwhelan@unix1.tcd.ie (Brendan Whelan):
> Does anyone own/know anything about the Hewlett Packard Deskjet
> printer. I'm particularly interested in knowing how it performs
> on an ST.
> Are drivers easily available for it?
> Is there a substitute driver that can be used from most packages with
> it?
> What is it's quality really like?
> How expensive are the cartridges and - most importantly- how often do
> they have to be replaced?
> 
> THanks in advance.
> 
> B.

I have about 18 mounts on a Deskjet II now.  I would not buy it again if
I had it to do over again.

The thing performs as you would expect HP equipmnet to.  Well.  The
cartridges are about $50 and I have bought 1 new one.  Many people heat
a paper clip and burn a couple of small holes in the things and refill
them for the cost of ink.  When the printing holes become clogged a new
cartridges is purchased.  The Deskjet emulates a couple of other printers,
(I bought an Epson emulation cartridge) and I use the laser jet option
on software that has it.  So interfacing it has been no problem.

The thing is SLOW in graphics mode.  I mean about 20 minutes/page to print
stuff from Page Stream (a product I think anyone should be wary of).  And
this for 300^2 resolution.  I must contrast this with an Epson comp 9 pin
printer which I can drive to ~270X240 resolution and dump Page Stream at
about 5 minutes/page.  Granted the dot matrix goes thru a lot of ribbons
(which i re-ink), but usually I just can't wait two days for a document to
print out.

In an effort to reduce the print time, I have installed two memory extension
cartridges.  There is a noticable improvement in character mode, and no
noticable improvement in graphics mode.

But if;
	you primarally want to use the thing in character mode
	you place a high value on noise abatement
	you can live with a slow printer (with quality at many
	    laser printer's level)
	your pocket book feels the price delta between this
	    product and a laser printer
	this is a good choice

However;
	if you will ever want to dump code for review you will 
	probably want a dot matrix anyway, and a 24 pin Epson 
	compatible can be driven past 300^2, is cheaper and is
	cheaper per copy.

	if you need to print a large volume of data in graphics
	mode (desk top publishing) stay away from this printer.
	You will grow old waiting for page 50.


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My opinions are mine, but can be rented for a modest cost.  Users
assume all liability.

dgb