Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!pasteur!ames!oliveb!amiga!cbmvax!higgin From: higgin@cbmvax.UUCP (Paul Higginbottom MKT) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga Subject: Re: laser printers for Amiga? Keywords: printers, laser Message-ID: <5966@cbmvax.UUCP> Date: 13 Feb 89 22:09:49 GMT References: <1742@tank.uchicago.edu> Reply-To: higgin@cbmvax.UUCP (Paul Higginbottom MKT) Distribution: na Organization: Commodore Technology, West Chester, PA Lines: 97 In article <1742@tank.uchicago.edu> arxt@tank.uchicago.edu (patrick palmer) writes: $I have been thinking about getting a laserprinter for my Amiga [...] $1. What brands of "cheap" laser printers are people using on Amiga's? Since I work at Commodore I probably get access to more toys than the average Amiga user. However, I have used matrix, color, HP laser, and now PostScript Laser and so I have quite a bit of experience as to what you get with each. Before starting, it's important to note that almost all current laser printers are 300dpi resolution, so they are all equally CAPABLE of putting the same stuff on paper. The difference is in HOW an application can describe a page to the printer - limitations in fonts, does every dot have to be specified for a line, or is a command available to draw one? Etc. Non-PostScript -------------- All non-PostScript printers basically work in one of two modes: Use the built-in fixed fonts, OR do EVERYTHING in a bitmap and output huge quantities of data to the printer to achieve good results. The built-in fonts are usually nice, but FIXED; only certain sizes are available. They allow cartridges to be plugged in but check that your software supports those fonts in the cartridge however. Also, the fonts generally cannot be output in shades of gray, rotated, scaled, etc. On the other hand though, fonts CAN be downloaded to the HP if you have more than the normal 512K or memory, and whole page bitmaps can be done if you have significant amounts of memory (1.5Mb should be enough - you need 1Mb for 300dpi full page bitmaps. There are word processing, desktop publishing and font utilities available for non-PostScript laser printers. I won't be naming names as I cannot endorse products. PostScript ---------- PostScript has mathematically defined (outline) fonts, structured graphics, with the power to scale, rotate, fill, and do other effects. It's a real language too, not a bunch of codes. PostScript can be slow however (depending on what you're printing), and the printers are EXPEN$IVE (typically 2x) relative to non-PostScript lasers. This is due to the memory requirements, and the licensing of the PostScript interpreter and fonts from Adobe. As opposed to non-PostScript printers, PostScript is slow for text, and fast for (non-bitmap) graphics. Slow is relative though, and lasers are often perceived as slow because nothing appears to happen (except a blinking light) until a beautiful page slides out. A matrix printer though makes enough noise and shows the product bit by bit to make you realize it's DOING something and therefore seems quicker. As for Non-PostScript, there are word processing, desktop publishing and font utilities available for PostScript laser printers. Comments -------- 1. If I were to get non-PostScript, I would make sure to get additional memory. 2. Output to PostScript printers is generally more flexible (scaling, rotation, etc.) 3. (Last, but most importantly) It depends upon what kinds of things you want to produce. I would say that you don't need PostScript to do memos, uniform (not elaborate) documents, and reports. PostScript can do some sophisticated things, but you may not need those capabilities. $2. Were these printers easy to use (i.e. supported in 1.3, did not require $cables from Afghanistan, etc.) Hook-up on all is simple (serial or parallel). PostScript is not supported directly within our operating system, but more and more software is supporting it, and PostScript printers usually always come with built-in HP emulation (and others) anyway which IS supported in 1.3. $3. How important is Postscript for an Amiga user? I mostly use Scribble! and $would like to make simple plots (i.e. line drawings, not grey scale). ... See above. It depends. $(What I am getting at is: is ability to expand to Postscript compatibiliy $an essential feature for the prudent buyer?) See above. It depends. Sorry I'm vague, but I wouldn't want to tell you how to spend your money. PostScript is powerful and expensive, but you may not need it. Being a car nut, I often make car analogies: You may not need a sports car which is powerful and expensive if all you want to do is get from A to B. I hope this helps. Paul. Disclaimer: the purpose of this message is to provide information and not to endorse any products in any way.