From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhuxt!mhuxj!cbosgd!mark
Newsgroups: net.info-terms
Title: Re: relative merits of hp terminals
Article-I.D.: cbosgd.2826
Posted: Fri Nov 19 23:12:57 1982
Received: Sat Nov 20 07:44:46 1982
Reply-To: mark@cbosgd.UUCP (Mark Horton)
References: uwvax.690

Actually, I understand that the problems with the 2621B have been
fixed in the terminal currently being shipped by HP.  The 2621B
has replaced the 2621A, so you can't get the A anymore.  If you
order one you'll probably get a B.

The HP 26xx series is a reasonable terminal with little braindamage.
The arrow keys were botched (this may be fixed in the 2621B, it
certainly is fixed in the 2626), standout mode is slightly strange
(they appear to have used magic cookies that do not take up a space
on the screen), and the caps lock key is particularly annoying, but
easy to disable.  The keyboard has a very good feel, and the display
is particularly sharp and easy to read.

The bad news is that the terminal is very overpriced for the features.
The Heathkit H19, at less than half the price, has most of the features
of the HP (except no detached keyboard and only one page of memory)
and a few extra features (less verbose escape sequences, status line,
inverse video instead of underlining for standout).  The Ann Arbor
Ambassador costs slightly less than the 2621 and is a considerably
better terminal (larger screen, more flexible, lots more features).

The 2621P has a nice quiet built in thermal printer.  For considerably
less money, you can get a separate impact printer that will connect
to any terminal with an RS232 printer port (such as the Ambassador).
The C.Itoh 8510 printer, at $800, is very good.  Lately I have seen
ads for similar printers for around $500.