Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!cmcl2!nrl-cmf!ames!pasteur!ucbvax!MITRE-BEDFORD.ARPA!ted
From: ted@MITRE-BEDFORD.ARPA
Newsgroups: comp.laser-printers
Subject: Re: LN03 --> LN03R Upgrade
Message-ID: <8804251530.AA03865@brillig.umd.edu>
Date: 18 Apr 88 13:08:29 GMT
References: <8804152005.AA29695@brillig.umd.edu>
Sender: usenet@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
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Lines: 52
Approved: laser-lovers@brillig.umd.edu

>Our Department is considering upgrading a LN03 laser printer to a
>LN03R (PostScript compatible).  Some questions:
>                  ??????????

	The LN03R is a PostScript printer made by DEC, not a
PostScript *compatible*.

>   o  Has anyone already installed the upgrade?  Would you
>       recommend it?  Is it *really* PostScript compatible?

	As far as I know, DEC doesn't sell an upgrade.  They sell you
a new printer.  However, AST (the maker of the Turbolaser) is going to
sell a upgrade kit that will allow your LN03 to understand PostScript,
HPGL, and work in native LN03 mode.  Because AST buys PostScript from
Adobe, there should be no compatibility issues.

>   o  What 2.{9,10}BSD software will drive it?  Is there a 2BSD
>       version of SSC's TranScript filter available?

	Who is SCC, I tought Adobe made TranScript?

>   o  Is it "easy" to print Macintosh-generated output on the
>       LN03R under 2BSD?

	You have to do a bit of trimming of the Apple PS header, but
it can be done.  (BTW, the LN03R has no Appletalk port, the AST
upgrade will though.)

>Kenneth H. Jacker

*** FLAME ON ***
	My personal opinion, write-white ricoh engines don't do very
well on text (read: they stink).  They leave toner shadows on a lot of
the letters (look inside an 'e').  They perform even worse when
printing on textured paper (like rag bond) because the toner doesn't
adhere in the cracks.  The OPC belts don't last as long as they
should, and supplies are too expensive.
*** FLAME OFF ***

	Take the money and buy a new printer based on the Cannon SX
engine.  The print quality is excellent, they are quiter, cheaper to
run, and the black regions are much better that the old CX engines.
The QMS 810 and the Laserwriter II's printers are based on this
engine.  You can get an 810 for about $4200.  If I remember correctly,
the AST upgrade will cost almost $2000.  It doesn't make sense to me
to spend that much on an upgrade (which is still vapor-ware) when you
can have a new printer.

Ted Ede -- ted@mitre-bedford.arpa -- The MITRE Corporation -- Burlington Road  
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