Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!usc!ucsd!ucbvax!VENICE.SEDD.TRW.COM!ries From: ries@VENICE.SEDD.TRW.COM (Marc Ries) Newsgroups: comp.laser-printers Subject: Re: HP LJ II/IIP questions Keywords: HP, Laserjet, IBM Proprinter emulation Message-ID: <227@venice.SEDD.TRW.COM> Date: 3 Jan 90 01:31:33 GMT References: <8912262206.AA05615@crayola.cs.UMD.EDU> Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Organization: TRW Lines: 78 Approved: laser-lovers@brillig.umd.edu In article <8912262206.AA05615@crayola.cs.UMD.EDU> fayne@tellab5.TELLABS.COM (Jeffrey Fayne) writes: ->I am interested in purchasing a HP LJ IIP to replace my aging dot-matrix ->and daisy wheel printers, but have a few questions regarding the LJ II series. -> I was too. That's why I decided to purchase an HP IIP. -> 1) Everything I've read about the IIP claims it's identical to the -> II except for the page-per-minute output. In fact InfoWorld gave -> the IIP a higher rating than the II due to the fact the IIP gives -> you extra fonts (actually the same amount of fonts, but extra in -> the fact that they are rotatable). Are these claims correct? -> I plan on using the IIP at home so the ppm rating doesn't bother me. -> Am I really getting a II albeit at a slower speed ? Yes the fonts are rotatable. I have been using the IIP for about two weeks (mostly w/AMI Professional under MS Windows/286). So far everthing seems to be a-ok... the print quality is GREAT. Yes, it's slow (for graphics, but so what, so my computer.) Get a laser print spooler like Laser Torqz. -> 2) Why didn't HP allow for Proprinter/Epson emulation in the II ? What -> is necessary to allow my PC to do Epson compatible graphics (ie -> graphics mode screen dumps)? Probably because it would have raised the price (I paid $950w/toner) or that HP wasn't into supporting "Epson" PCL. There is at least one PD/ shareware program that attempts (I haven't tried it) the epson to hp conversion (called ibm2hp). -> 3) What does it take to do Postscript emulation. Can I use postscript -> compatible programs and features on the LJ with this capability? Cheapest is with one of the PostScript interpreters like UltraScript, Freedom of the Press, GoScript, etc. They do work. A PS "cartridge" is also a possible choice. -> 4) Are these 3rd party "multi-font" cartridges all they are cracked up -> to be ? Any recommendations on which ones are the best? That's one of the reasons I decided to go with HP vs. one of the many "look-a-likes" because I wanted TO BE SURE the carts, etc., would work. Some of the clones do not like all of the possible HP compatible carts. Note that the IIP only has one cart slot. -> 5) Im starting to see public domain/shareware LJ fonts becoming -> available. What does it take to download these soft-fonts to the -> LJ. First. FTP 8-) Then, you can code the download directly in PCL or via PD or $$$ programs that will do it for you, or via an interface like Windows. Some programs like SoftCraft's WYSIFonts can also create the "screen" fonts (ie, for Windows) for the .spf printer fonts. -> 6) How is the LJ memory upgradable? Memory board or just by adding -> addition RAM chips ? Considering the above factors how much memory -> should I consider having (considering I do graphics, would like to -> one or two softfonts resident and would like to do Proprinter -> emulation)? With the base 512K, you can probably print with several 8 to 14+ point softfonts w/o a problem. The larger the font, the more memory is used. Most of the Postscript interpreters need a minimum of 1MB of memory, while the Pacific Data PS Cart requires 2.5MB. Economically, the 2MB add-on board seems to make the most sense. Street prices look to be about $400+/- for a non-HP 2MB add-on board. -> I know many of these questions are based on generalities but any help -> would be appreciated! No problem. -- Marc Ries ries@venice.sedd.trw.com (ARPA) somewhere!trwind!venice!ries (UUCP) #include