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From: carlson@gateway.mitre.org (Bruce Carlson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: HP DeskJet printer
Message-ID: <43231@linus.UUCP>
Date: 23 Dec 88 17:17:14 GMT
References: <29843@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu> <1257@accelerator.eng.ohio-state.edu>
Sender: news@linus.UUCP
Reply-To: carlson@gateway.mitre.org (Bruce Carlson)
Organization: The Mitre Corporation
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In article <1257@accelerator.eng.ohio-state.edu> RUSS@kcgl1.eng.ohio-state.edu (Keith Russ) writes:
>>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.

Several other points were addresse in the reply.
>K. Russ
>Dept. of Chem. Eng.
>OSU
Now for my comments:

I have a Deskjet at home and I agree with the comments by K. Russ.  On
the subject of print drivers and 300 dpi graphics I have some additional
info.

These programs have 300 dpi drivers (no additional memory needed) for
the deskjet and I have used the applications: 
Harvard Graphics 2.1, Windows 2.1, PFS First Publisher 2.0, TurboTax 89
Word 4.0 (HP provided the driver).  HP provided about 15-20 additional
drivers, but I don't remember which applications they were for.

I have used these applications and substituted the Laserjet 300 dpi
driver since they didn't have a Deskjet driver:

Gem Draw+, Quattro.

Most of the applications that have a specific Deskjet driver allow
you to use downloadable fonts or font cartridges.  I don't have either
one, but I think I will probably buy the extra RAM cartridge and the
software downloadable fonts.

If you use good quality paper (smooth, "hard" finish) it is hard to
distinguish Deskjet text from Laserjet text.  Graphics are also
nearly identical unless there are large black areas.  The black areas
tend to get overinked and the paper looks wavy (physically).  

HP also offers some emulation cartridges for the Deskjet.  You can get an
Epson cartridge and I think there may be others.

Bruce Carlson
Disclaimer:  I have no connections to HP, except as a customer