Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!emory!hubcap!cballen
From: cballen@hubcap.clemson.edu (charles allen)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.ms
Subject: Re: Need recommendation on lowest cost, full featured laser printer
Message-ID: <1991Apr25.015254.4391@hubcap.clemson.edu>
Date: 25 Apr 91 01:52:54 GMT
References: <1991Apr24.142106.17102@cbnewsh.att.com>
Distribution: na
Organization: Clemson University
Lines: 45

From article <1991Apr24.142106.17102@cbnewsh.att.com>, by rkl@cbnewsh.att.com (kevin.laux):
> 
> 	I need recommendations for a low cost, full featured laser printer.
> Pages per minute is not critical, but being able to do 300 dpi in graphics
> mode, availability of soft fonts, quality, ease of use, etc. are.
> 
> 	Also, (having been following the Win+WinWord+Deskjet 500 thread),
> would the Deskjet 500 be an acceptable choice instead of a laser printer.
> 
> 	HP brand is preferred.  Use will be 'desktop publishing' ala Windows
> applications (Word, Excel, Project, Powerpoint, etc.)
> 
> 	Thanks.
>
How about IBM brand?  I recently saw a demonstration of a relatively new
ink jet printer from IBM.  It sounded pretty good.  It's "IBM single unit
price" was $1,099 as of 1/91.  It's called an ExecJet printer.
I'm not sure about the availability of soft fonts.  Does anyone out there   
know?  
Here's it's features:  DRAFT: 6ppm   LQ: 3ppm   GRAPHICS: 360X360 dpi (slow)
one pamplet says 13.6" printing and another says paper up to 17" wide.
I think the sales rep. said it could print 2 8.5" pages side-by-side.
VERY QUIET!
Good paper handling  (cut sheets (100 bin), tractor sheets, envelopes, thick
     paper)
3 optional font cards.
standard 30kb print buffer.
optional 128 Kb "download memory card"  (sounds like soft fonts?)
standard parallel printer interface
optional serial interface.
10 million character ink cartridge (LQ mode).
I was impressed by the quality of it's output.
The ink was DIFFICULT to smear and quick drying.  (but don't get it real wet!)

So, it's graphics are better than some cheap laser printers, and it's 
price isn't bad.  (The wholesale price should be significantly less, shouldn't
it?)  Sounds like a good one to me..
Has anyone actually had any real-world use of it?
How does this compare to the DJ500?
 
PS:  IBM sold it's printer division!  Their products should be better now ;-)
PPS: their printers never were as bad as apple's!
DISCLAIMER:  These opinions of the ExecJet are based on a first impression only!
             My opinions of apple's printers are based on 4 years of painful
             experience !