🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <8912020804.AA27404@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>, 01659@AECLCR.BITNET (Greg Csullog) writes:
> One netter asked if anyone had UltraScript experience. One work group at my
> company is PC based but one Atari enthusiast convinced the group to buy a Mega
> an SLM804 and UltraScript. Now, the PC users direct their PostScript files to
> the ST and everyone is VERY happy with (i) the quality and (ii) the cost
> effectiveness of the system. We have a lot of STs on site and the SLM804 has
> wowed a number of people - hopefully we can get more on site.
> 
Actually, with the new TOS 1.4, you should be even better off. TOS 1.4 can format,
read, and write REAL IBM 3.5" and 5.25" floppies. So, transferring files to
the Mega ST to be printed on the SLM804 should be a snap. 
Don't you wish that you could hook the Mega ST up to your IBM PC network
(LAN) though?? That would really enhance your use of the Mega ST4/SLM804.

> RE: Rich Covert, maybe it's YOU who has the problem and not Atari
You are 100% correct, I do have a problem with the SLM804. That is, I used to
have a problem with it. Now I don't :-).


Well, first let me say that I sold my Atari SLM804 laser printer because
of dissatification that I have had with it the last year. I don't want to
rehash them here. Let me just say that the SLM804 is an EXCELLENT laser
printer for ST only work. It is fast and is reasonable well supported by
third party vendors (though not by Atari :-) ). the SLM804 does not work
well with pc ditto (or even pc ditto II), prints at only 144 dpi with Spectre
128 (unless you buy UltraScript), and doesn't have LaserJet or Epson
emulators.

I bought my SLM804 in March 1988 for $995 from my local dealer. I would NOT
have paid more for that printer. I am buying a Panasonic KX-P4450 laser 
printer for $1399 + $300 for the extra meg of RAM from a local store.
For the extra $700 I get the following features:

o Epson FX-286e emulator

o Diablo 630 emul.

o Panasonic 1092i emul.

o IBM Proprinter emul.

o HP Laser Jet Plus emul.

o 11 ppm print speed

o dual paper trays

o 1.5 megs of memory in the printer (freeing up one meg of 
  memory in the ST)

o Downloadable fonts, 4 fonts internal

o $35 toner carts every 5,000 pages
 
o $90 developer every 13,000 pages

o $189 laser drum every 20,000 pages

o Optional envelope paper tray, other sizes also available

Now, this printer is very well supported by Mac third party vendors.There
are a number of commerical printer drivers for Mac and the LaserJetplus.
There are plenty of printer drivers for the IBM and the Laserjet Plus.
There are plenty of GDOS drivers for the ST and the LaserJet Plus.
PageStream and Calamus support the LaserJetPlus.

Plus, there are all of those ST programs which require an Epson printer.
Now I will be able to use them with my laser printer. Heck, I could even
use the Epson printer drivers for the Mac.

I called IMAGEN and was told that UltraScript works fine with Laser Jet Plus
printers. So, there again, I am not losing anythin by buying the Panasonic
KXP4450 laser printer. And I don't need UltraScript to get 300 dpi printouts
in the Mac/Spectre mode. I can use the LaserJet Plus drivers.

All in all, the extra bucks that I am paying for the Panasonic laser printer
are well worth it to me. And I am getting a FASTER printer (11 ppm vs 8ppm of
the SLM804).

So, if your local ST store doesn't sell the SLM804 for less than $1700, than
you might want to consider the KXP4450. 

To summarize, the SLM804 is an excellent laser printer for a very narrow
application (ST work). With the addition of UltraScript it is even better.
But, for a few dollars more (in my case a new SLM804 would cost $1300) you
can buy a more general purpose,faster, laser printer that will work with more
applications on the ST and will work with David Small's Spectre and even
with Bill Teal's pc ditto. Please look at other printers before buying the
Atari SLM804. You might be pleasantly surprised at the laser printer market.


-- 
 Richard E. Covert (covertr@gtephx) 
  (602) - 581-4652 
|  AG Communications Systems, Phoenix AZ   |
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