Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!clyde!att!osu-cis!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!accelerator.eng.ohio-state.edu!kcgl1.eng.ohio-state.edu!RUSS
From: RUSS@kcgl1.eng.ohio-state.edu (Keith Russ)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: HP DeskJet printer
Message-ID: <1257@accelerator.eng.ohio-state.edu>
Date: 20 Dec 88 22:30:25 GMT
References: <29843@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu>
Sender: news@accelerator.eng.ohio-state.edu
Organization: Ohio State University
Lines: 38

>I consider buying a HP DeskJet printer for my pc and would appreciate any
>comment about that printer. In particular, I want to know how it compares
>with the more expensive HP LaserJet II in terms of quality and speed.
>Also, do I need to get a memory expansion in order to print whole-page
>graphics? Thanks in advance.
>
>>>>SKS<<<

I've worked a little with the DeskJet and the LaserJet II, and find that
the DeskJet does a very nice job printing; in fact, I believe it does a
slightly better job on some letters using the symbol set.  It is quite a
bit slower however, not quite as dark a print as the LaserJet (but great
for an inkjet), requires a RAM catridge for any downloadable fonts
you might wish to use, can't use the same downloaded fonts as the LaserJet,
also can't use LaserJet font cartridges...  It is capable of full-page,
300dpi graphics if the graphics are sent serially; offhand, I can't tell
you which programs work that way.  Graphics printing, however, is SLOW.

I have seen somewhere a program that translates HP plotter code for the
DeskJet, and some of the BBS are starting to acquire DeskJet fonts.  I
presume more software support will be forthcoming; for now, you have to
depend on its control code similarity to the LaserJet series (I believe
it uses the control codes of PCL III (and PCL may be wrong; it's been
awhile) whereas the LaserJet II uses PCL IV).

Also, since you're at OSU check out the CTE store in Lord Hall.  They offer
good prices on the cartridges (font and RAM), but the DeskJet price is
the usual.

If you get one, be sure to test various paper brands on it.  The best paper
to use will not bleed with the ink; we found that the xerographic paper we
use is not suitable for the inkjet (no surprise there).  But paper does
make a heck of a difference.


K. Russ
Dept. of Chem. Eng.
OSU