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From: Charlie.Mingo@p4218.f421.n109.z1.FidoNet.Org (Charlie Mingo)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: TI Microlaser experiences ?
Message-ID: <674906412.0@blkcat.FidoNet>
Date: 21 May 91 19:31:15 GMT
Sender: Uucp@p0.f40.n109.z1.FidoNet.Org
Lines: 65

sharp@cs-sun-fsa.cpsc.ucalgary.ca (Maurice Sharp) writes:

MS>     I am debating about buying either a TI-Microlaser (probably the
MS> 17, possibly the 35) or the Apple Personal Laserwriter LS. Since I
MS> get student rates, the TI is actually more expensive, but it does have
MS> postscript.
MS> 
MS>     My questions about the TI are as follows. First, does it do
MS> background printing? 

      Yes.  All PostScript basd laser printers use the Apple LaserWriter print
driver which supports background printing.

MS> How is the speed, it says 6ppm, but does it
MS> really put out that fast (the LS beats an old Laser Plus by a large
MS> amount)? 

    Well, it depends on the complexity of the graphics you are printing.  For
normal text pages, it's about 6ppm.  If you give it something truely complex
(like printing fancy PageMaker output) it'll take correspondingly longer.

    I expect it will always be as fast or faster than a LW LS for comparable
output.

MS> Does it work with the new TrueType font technology? 

   All PostScript lasers can use TrueType if the mac is either running System 7,
or using the new LaserWriter driver released in March.

MS> How reliable is it ? 

   A friend of mine has had the PS35 for a few months with no problems.  TI has a
fairly good reputation for manufacturing quality products.

MS> Are 3rd party ink cartridges available? 

    Not to my knowledge, but TI toner cartridges only cost US$41, so it's not a problem.  (Supposedly good for thousands of pages.)

MS> Is the 35
MS> that much better than the 17 (i.e worth around $1000 more) ? How
MS> reliable is it ?

    It's identical, except that it has 35 fonts in ROM instead of 17.

    I wouldn't pay a thousand dollars for the extra fonts, but you don't really
have to go that course.

    The TI PS17 is advertised in the June MacUser at about US$1300 
(available locally in Washington, DC for $1200).  The PS35 is advertised 
at $1599 (available locally for $1525).  I gather from your price references 
that you are contemplating paying thousands of dollars for either TI printer.  
Don't do it.  Order it from the States and save a bundle (even after paying 
exchange and 7% GST;  there used to be a 10% duty on electronics coming into 
Canada, but friends have told me that it was removed under the FTA;  call 
Canada Customs to check).

MS>     If you had to make a similar choice, what would you choose ? (The
MS> TI will cost about $5-700 more than the LS, less than Freedom of The
MS> Press). It would be run from a IIci 80/8.

    I'd get the PS17 for US$1200.  The LaserWriter LS sells for about US$900-950,
and I think PostScript is worth paying $300 for.


 * Origin: mingo@well.sf.ca.us  mingo@cup.portal.com (1:109/421.4218)