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From: starr@shell.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: HP ThinkJet Printer
Message-ID: <174@shell.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 8-Apr-84 00:09:24 EST
Article-I.D.: shell.174
Posted: Sun Apr  8 00:09:24 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 13-Apr-84 01:52:53 EST
Organization: Shell Development CS Group, Houston, Texas
Lines: 56


     A	recent	letter	to  net.micro  re. the new HP ThinkJet printer
     claimed that the character quality was somewhat poored than a dot
     matrix printer. I held actual ThinkJet output up against standard
     Epson output, and there is really	no  comparison.  The  ThinkJet
     output  is  MUCH  better. Their characters are formed in an 11x12
     matrix (vs. 9x5 on the Epson). Output of the ThinkJet printer  is
     apparently  degraded  when  you  do not use a special clay coated
     paper. Apparently, the clay absorbs the ink more quickly than can
     be done on standard paper.

     Additionally, the ThinkJet printer  has  the  following  features
     (note  that  I have not seen one of these printers, I am going by
     what I was told by the HP salesman).


     a)  Two graphics modes.. 96x96 dots/in. and 192x96  dots/in.  The
	 192  dots/in.	is  vertical,  and  requires two passes of the
	 print head.

     b)  Low res (96x96) graphics, boldface, underline etc.  all  come
	 out  at  the *same* speed. In other words, the printer can do
	 one line of graphics as fast as it  can  print  one  line  of
	 characters!

     c)  Printer  weighs 6 lbs., and has a footprint about the size of
	 an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper.	Noise  level  is  said	to  be
	 quieter  than	the  thermal  (ala  Silent 700) printers. This
	 means you can peacefully coexist with	family	and/or	fellow
	 workers (finally).

     d)  A  switch  inside  the  printer  will tell it to look like an
	 Epson, so that your graphics (screen dumps, etc.) will  still
	 work.

     e)  The  print  head  (with sufficient ink for 500 pages) is dis-
	 posable, and replacement cartridges cost $8.00.

     f)  A maintenence contract is available for $2  per  month  (yes,
	 $2).  For  $4	per  month,  a	repairman will fix the printer
	 onsite. This indicates (to me) that HP has a  pretty  durable
	 product here, in which they have alot of confidence.


     As  I  said, I got most of this info from the salesman. If any of
     the above info is inaccurate, please post the truth to the net.

     I ordered one for home use after  hearing	the  above  info,  and
     seeing  an actual printout example. The salesman quoted a 16 week
     delivery time, as the product was just announced. I hope my  poor
     NEC 8023 holds out that long!

     Besides,  anyone  familiar  with HP products knows that HP builds
     quality, reliable stuff. And  finally,  they  are	pricing  their
     products  for  the average consumer. I hope HP sells a million of
     'em.