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From: dltaylor@cns.SanDiego.NCR.COM (Dan Taylor)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.emulations
Subject: Re: Postscript printers
Message-ID: <910@cns.SanDiego.NCR.COM>
Date: 24 Apr 91 22:24:54 GMT
References: <39358@cup.portal.com> <1991Apr23.235348.9765@Think.COM>
Distribution: na
Organization: NCR Corp. SE-San Diego
Lines: 45

In <1991Apr23.235348.9765@Think.COM> laird@think.com (Laird Popkin) writes:

>If you're looking specifically for a Postscript printer, I would advise
>against the IIp.  Why?  First, it is pathetically slow when compared to any
>other Postscript printer 

I'm getting 4ppm under PostScript & WordPerfect on my Amiga. I know this
isn't blazing, but it doesn't seem "pathetic".

>Second, it's quite expensive to expand RAM and can't be expanded
>otherwise.

4Mb RAM for < $400.  Not that bad.  Also, Pacific Page sells various
interface cards for it.

>A Postscript printer that I would recommend highly is GCC's BLP
>II, which comes with 2 Mb RAM expandable to 4 by adding off the shelf
>SIMMs, and it also has a SCSI port for adding a hard drive.  Best of all,
>it lists for under $2K.

This sounds pretty good.  Who is "GCC"?  What paper trays, interfaces,
print speed, etc. do you get for <$2000?

>Of course, if you have a cheap 20 Mb hard drive on your printer, you only
>need to download the fonts once <grin>.

True, but what's the price hit?  (Not a flame, just a question.)

>>The IIP and the Pacific Page cart support serial communications if you 
>>need to go this way with Amax.

Serial is nice for "tinkering" with the interpreter, too.  I have a
startup file that prints letterhead automatically on the first page,
graphics and all.

A IIP is limited by having only one cartridge slot, although with PS
I'm not sure you NEED another.  Might be nice to have HPGL.  But,
it is designed as a "Personal" laser printer.  It's easy to clean,
swap toner, etc., and HP's manuals are quite good.  Also, since there
is price competition on sales, and multi-vendor add-on support, you
might factor these into your decision.

Whatever you buy, I think your Amiga and PS will get along nicely.

Dan Taylor