🚀 go-pugleaf

>   If you have used the Epson GQ-3500 laser printer, please contact me
>soon.  I think its about the best page mode laser printer around today,
>and I am interested in what features are best and worst, in your opinion.

I strongly disagree.  The store that I work for (when I'm not doing things
like writing letters on the Usenet) sells both the Epson GQ-3500 and the
Okidata Laserline 6 (as well as quite a few other laser printers).  

While Epson is indeed a great company, and supports their products well(*),
the Okidata is less expensive, just as solidly built, more compatible,
has more RAM, and is in general the better buy.

>But it can print on most paper products, including envelopes, and work
>on transparency film.  Very handy.

I've yet to find a 'consumer' laser printer (the desktop models costing
under $5,000) that didn't do all of the above.  The only special feature
of the Epson is it's ability to center paper coming in from it's input
tray that's of a non-standard size.  But feeding off size paper in along one
margin isn't that much of a hassle.

>   Also, do you know what toner is used ?  The cartridge looks like it can
>be easily refilled.

Both the Epson and the Okidata use the Ricoh engine, which has three parts:
the Drum Kit #1, Drum Kit #2, and the toner.  Kit #1 needs to be replaced
every other toner replacement, and Kit #2 >>shouldn't<< need replacement
normally, 'cept after a very long time.

>   Do you know if the J-RAM Laser 3 board can be used with the '3500 ?

I don't believe so...

>   Have you tried the LaserJet Plus identity card ?

No, just the LaserJet.  If you get the Plus card, you will also need to
purchase more RAM (doesn't come with the card).  Sorry... you will WANT
to purchase more RAM; it's not required unless you want to take advantage
of the added capabilities of the Plus card though.

>   Does it do a good emulation ?  Can it download fonts with this ?

Well, with the card, yes, the emulation is good.  However, Epson wasn't
shipping the card for quite some time, and many dealers had GQ-3500s that
they couldn't do much with aside from stack in back rooms (rather annoying
that).

Overall, I'd go with the Okidata for price; LJ series // for semi-capabilities,
and PostScript if you're serious.

(*)  One point I do want to mention re: Epson vs. Okidata:  The first
     batch of Ricoh engines were very bad (Drum Kit #2), and had to be
     replaced.  Epson issued a recall; Okidata has the replacements available
     free, but they're 2 months back ordered...  (and Okidata didn't call
     us; we had to call them after our customers called us with complaints).

Peter
--
Peter "Arrgh" Korn	 			Oh when, oh when will my MacII
korn@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU				 arrive?  Oh where, oh
{decvax,dual,hplabs,sdcsvax,ulysses}!ucbvax!korn	      where can it be?
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