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From: authorplaceholder@labsms.UUCP.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Advise on Laserwriters?
Message-ID: <203200002@labsms.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 4-Apr-87 23:59:00 EST
Article-I.D.: labsms.203200002
Posted: Sat Apr  4 23:59:00 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 8-Apr-87 00:15:41 EST
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Nf-From: labsms.UUCP!lmm    Apr  4 22:59:00 1987


--

> We currently have an Apple Laserwriter (the classic) and are looking to
> add some more capacity. We are looking in the under $10K range. We
> mostly use it on Unix using the Adobe Transcript package, but also use
> it to a lesser extent with Macs. The machine's speed and versatility 
> with Troff have to be primary factors.

We have used a TI Omnilaser 2115 here, and it does postscript. It also
does other emulations (HP Laserjet), plotter. It seems to be a
heavier duty machine and uses a RICOH engine. When the toner runs out
you don't have to replace the entire cartridge (like on apple laserwriter)
You just add more toner. This cuts down on the average price-per-page cost
for printing. The printer is also faster 15ppm. vs. 8ppm (apple). It
has 3Meg of memory, 300 DPI and several built in fonts.  I'm not sure
of the cost of this monster, but it is under $10K.

> Though not the most serious issue, one question that comes to mind is
> Apple compatibility. The Mac downloads some 68000 object code to the
> Laserwriter to do bitsmoothing. How do the other Postscript printers
> deal with this, or are they just not all Apple compatible?

I was concerned about this also. However I took the apple laserprep file
along with a pictures that I downloaded from MacDraw & Fullpaint and
they came out out just fine on the TI.  You state that the Mac downloads
some 6800 object code for bitsmoothing. - - Are you sure its 68000 object
code? - - I think its just part of postscript.

Anybody else have any experience with the TI Omnilaser 2115?

On another note.  Has anyone tried the 'devps' softwer package from
Pipeline Associates (for troff to postscript conversions) VERSES the
Adobe Transcript package?


Larry McWilliams
ihnp4!labsms!lmm