🚀 go-pugleaf

G'day,

rachel@virago.org.au (Rachel Polanskis) writes:
> I was thinking of a HP5L, if it will work with linux.
> Any gotchas with this one?

We've had an HP5L on our linux box at home for about a year.  In general
we're very happy with it.

It was the only laser printer under $1000 that used a real printer
language.  There were several for less money that used Windows GDI.

Nearly all our printing is TeX output from dvilj4.  The quality is
excellent.  You do need to use 600dpi fonts though.  On other HP4/5
models I've used 300dpi fonts and been unable to tell the difference.
But on the 5L, 300 dpi looks lousy.  I don't know what the difference
is.  It does claim to support resolution enhancement.

I haven't had a need to try ghostscript but I wouldn't expect any
problems.

It comes with 1M of memory.  The only time I've had problems is with a
fairly complicated MusixTeX page (it printed half the page and flashed
the error light).  The memory is an unusual type that's presumably
harder to find and more expensive than simms.

There's only a parallel port on it.  No serial.  This may be a problem
if you want to connect it to some other unix box.

The printer centres the paper in the input tray.  This means you need
to specify an explicit offset when you print on paper narrower than US
letter.  I use A4 and A5.  I haven't got a clean solution to this yet.

Having no proper paper input tray is a nuisance if you want to leave
the window open and it's breezy.  I also worry about dust.

The first unit we had left repeating marks on the page.  We took it
back to the shop.  There was the same fault on a couple of other
units.  The one we ended up with is fine.

We had some trouble with paper jams for a while.  We tried different
brands of paper but that didn't help.  It's been fine for a while
now.  Maybe it'll be a problem in the winter.

Despite all the negatives, I do recommend them.  I think probably the
only alternative is a second hand printer.  I hope this has been some
help.

Regards, David.
-- 
David Kettler <David.Kettler@dsto.defence.gov.au>
Radar Land Surveillance, Microwave Radar Division
Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Australia