🚀 go-pugleaf

dave@stat.tamu.edu (Dave Perry) writes:

:I am in the market for a new printer (an upgrade from a panasonic 9pin)
:and I am curious as to which printer would be best as far as useable
:speed and output quality.  My options are DeskJet 500, and lower end
:lasers (Okidata OL400 or Sharp XJ9500). What kind of experiences has 
:anyone had with these?  What's print speed and quality like? Any input
:will seriously be appreciated!

I use a DJ500 at home with TeX.  

Quality:  I find the quality to be top-notch; it's visually
undistinguishable (at least by me) from Laserjets.

Speed:  The speed on the other hand is the pits -- partly because of the
printer itself, partly because I've found no way to drive it (from Unix)
except in graphics mode, so HUGE intermediate files get built from the
.dvi's and sent to the printer.

Costs:  Consumables cost-per-page appears on the high side, given the
cost of HP inkjet cartridges over here; but I haven't tried any
cost-reducing alternatives such as DIY ink refills since my print volume
is low enough not to worry me on this score.  I use the same paper as on
lasers so no differences on that.

Operation:  Operation is *impeccably* simple and hassle-free; not ONE
problem with paper jams, ink smear, or suchlike in 10 months of
(admittedly lowish-volume) operation (wish I had THAT smooth a ride with
the Laserjets etc here at work!).  Very small footprint, connectors and
switches that are physically designed and placed so as not to be moved
accidentally... in short, a little marvel.

Docs:  The tech ref manual has a glaring hole in that it tells NOTHING
about downloaded-font operation -- it claims it's "too complex" a subject
(for a TECH REF??!?!?!!)!  I would gladly strangle whomever took that
decision, making the very expensive doc in question totally useless to me.
Apart from the effects of that on the lack of downloaded-font dvi drivers
(see above under "speed"), it shouldn't impact you.  Apart from this
Titanic-level disaster, docs are passable, although not up to the usual
excellent level of other HP docs.
-- 
Email: martelli@cadlab.sublink.org                   Phone: ++39 (51) 6130360
CAD.LAB s.p.a., v. Ronzani 7/29, Casalecchio, Italia   Fax: ++39 (51) 6130294