🚀 go-pugleaf

 ]Since HP has their newest line of DeskJet printers out now - the 550 and the
 ]550C (mono & color, respectively), the price on the 500C has fallen
 ]dramatically (almost $200 less).  So, I am seriously considering getting a
 ]500C for my Mega4STe/1040ST computers.  Has anyone ever used HP DeskJet
 ]printers with ST's?  Are there incompatibilities?  Are there any special
 ]drivers, etc., that I will need to get?  Any info will be appreciated, so
 ]please reply with whatever you insight you may have.  I don't have much time
 ]before I have to decide.  Thanks in advance.     8^> 

I have not used a color HP DeskJet, but I have had HPDJ 500 for over a year. 
It works fine with Atari; just plug it into the parallel port and no problem. 
However, some computers like mine like the DeskJet to be on BEFORE you boot the
computer.  If I don't do that, then the Atari (Mega ST) won't even know it's
there.  If you don't have a DJ driver, you can usually get away with an HP II
driver.  Color drivers are available for PageStream... I don't know about
anyone else.

The drawback is that you have to be picky about paper.  What is great for a
photocopier or laser may not be the greatest for a inkjet.  25% cotton bond in
general gives the best results, but most people won't notice.  Hammerhill Laser
Print (24#) and Solar Copy paper are pretty good for regular wood pulp stuff. 
Wilcopy DP is borderline.  Strathmore Legacy paper works great when it is new,
but seems to get worse as it sits around.

HPDJs are short on internal fonts, but with a DTP or GDOS (yuk) wordprocessor,
you should get nice results.


|| Ronald Chan [rchan@terapin.com]
|| A Pocket Knight  *-{-----------