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From: dpm@cs.cmu.edu (David Maynard)
Newsgroups: comp.periphs.printers
Subject: Re: Texas Instruments Microlaser
Message-ID: <1991Apr11.152719.8117@fs7.ece.cmu.edu>
Date: 11 Apr 91 15:27:19 GMT
References: <1991Apr10.040605.28078@fs7.ece.cmu.edu> <9472@rsiatl.Dixie.Com>
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Organization: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
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Since there has been a lot of interest in the TI microLaser recently, I
decided to summarize some of my experiences and suggestions that I've often
privately mailed to people.

> 1 MB memory.  2555739-0001  $345.00

Yes, TI's upgrade prices are absurd!  Luckily, there are now 3rd-party
memory boards for the microLaser.  They are currently selling for about
$90 for a 1Meg expansion board.  Many of the dealers are offering a lifetime
warranty on their memory boards.  I found 1.5Meg to be too little memory for
complex documents (combining Scribe and FrameMaker).  I haven't had any
problems with 2.5Meg though.

> ... What you CAN buy is the postscript board for the full 35 font
> implementation (which contains exactly 4 ROMS and a couple of TTL packs).
> This beauty costs >>>>>>>> $1000 <<<<<<<<

The (relatively old) CompuAdd catalog I have lists the 35-font PostScript
board as selling for $599.  That is probably still a little high, but at
least it indicates that you might find it cheaper somwhere else.  If you do
buy the upgrade, be sure you get the newest revision that includes ATM in
ROM.  The board I have is v3.635 and only has 1 or 2 ROMS on a TINY board.

I've been told NOT to buy the overpriced envelope feeder because it doesn't
work well and only holds a few envelopes.  People who need multiple trays
might be better off with something like the Panasonic 4455 or one of the
other brands.  For me, the main selling points for the TI were the compact
size and the fact that its single tray holds 250 sheets (more than many).
It also doesn't have any flimsy protruding trays for my cat to sit on (or
break off).

Shoppers should also be aware the that RS232/Appletalk board is optional.
Most Mac dealers quote prices that include the board; most PC dealers don't.
The combined Appletalk/RS232 board was ~$125 when I bought mine.  The
RS232-only board was cheaper but harder to find.  I opted for the Appletalk
board to improve the printer's resale value.

The advice I give anyone considering the microLaser is to look in "MacWeek"
(or even one of the monthly Mac magazines) to find the best prices.  I've
had only limited experience with the companies that advertise there, but
prices have been dropping weekly as the TI's become more popular with Mac
users.  You can almost buy a PS35/XL for the same price I paid for a regular
PS35 last August.  Even if you prefer to buy from a local dealer, it is best
to know the current market pricing.

-David
-- 
 David P. Maynard (dpm@cs.cmu.edu)
 Dependable Solutions & CMU ECE
 Pittsburgh, PA  15213
--