Path: utzoo!utgpu!utstat!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!att!chinet!les
From: les@chinet.chi.il.us (Leslie Mikesell)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.postscript
Subject: Re: what PS printers are HP compatible
Summary: NEC's aren't so bad
Message-ID: <8537@chinet.chi.il.us>
Date: 24 May 89 22:45:32 GMT
References: <778@jonlab.UUCP> <776@cbnewsc.ATT.COM> <779@jonlab.UUCP> <9768@dasys1.UUCP>
Reply-To: les@chinet.chi.il.us (Leslie Mikesell)
Organization: Chinet - Public Access Unix
Lines: 31

In article <9768@dasys1.UUCP> jab@dasys1.UUCP (Jeff A Bowles) writes:

>Now, I have to tell you about one experience with a company that
>vends such a printer. I have the little brother to such a beast,
>that is, I have an NEC Silentwriter LC-800, which is:
>    a. Two sheet feeders
>    b. "HP-compatible"
>    c. In some fashion, at some point, can be upgraded to the LC-890
>       which is Postscript and still HP-compatible.
>I assume that the LC-890 uses the same software for its HP-compatibility
>as the LC-800, which is why I'm posting this.

[incompatibility problems deleted...]

The office where I work has several NEC 860's and 890's.  We had some
HP incompatibility problems with the very first 860 which were fixed
with a replacement ROM installed under waranty.  We use at least a 
dozen programs that think they are talking to an HP laserjet and have
not had any problems with compatibility or downloaded fonts.  I have
not tested the 890's HP mode extensively because all the printers
are accessable on the same network and we normally keep them busy
with postscript.  We have not had any major problems with these printers
but we do happen to be a few blocks away from an NEC office and get
good service.  An earlier posting mentioned problems with spilling
toner while refilling the printers which I didn't understand.  There
is a clever interlock mechanism on the cartridge and machine opening
that won't let you open the box unless it is in a position where it
can't spill.  I happen to like the $15 toner box vs. >$100 for a
combined toner/drum that other machines use.

Les Mikesell