Low-Priced Laser Printers On Line
Laser printers, once a luxury item, are becoming increasingly affordable. In addition to being faster than most dot-matrix printers, they produce very high-quality text and graphics at a resolution of 300 dots per inch. I’ve seen laser-printed documents that are almost indistinguishable from documents created on professional typesetting equipment.
Hewlett-Packard recently introduced the HP LaserJet IIIp, a “personal” and more economical version of its most advanced laser printer. You get a lot for your money with the IIIp. However, there are even more economical solutions that you should consider before buying.
The IIIp has the same printing technology as HP’s more expensive LaserJet III. However, it runs slower and has a lower suggested retail price of $1,595; it’s available in some stores for under $1,200. Hewlett-Packard has also lowered the price of its older personal laser printer, the IIp, to $1,295, but I’ve seen it advertised for under $800.
The IIIp and IIp use the same four-page-per-minute Canon printing mechanism (called an “engine”), which is rated for up to 6,000 pages per month. The IIIp, like other printers in the LaserJet III series, has an updated version of HP’s printer language, called PCL 5. The newer language, along with more sophisticated electronics, translates into better print quality, faster performance and greater control over the size of your printed characters.
All laser printers have built-in fonts, but most limit you to a narrow range of sizes. HP series III printers, however, have built-in “scalable fonts” that allow you to print characters at virtually any type size. The IIIp comes with scalable Times and Univers fonts, along with Courier and “line printer” fonts that are available in limited sizes. HP and other companies offer additional fonts on plug-in cartridges and on diskettes.
Another improvement, called “resolution enhancement,” allows the printer to automatically vary the size and placement of dots, resulting in smoother gradations along the edges of printed images. The improvement is especially noticeable with drawings or when using large type faces.
The speed of the IIIp printer engine is the same as the IIp’s and half that of the regular III. However, the IIIp frees up your PC for other tasks more quickly while it is printing your document.
The actual printing speed of any laser printer depends on a variety of factors, including the printer’s engine and electronics, the software you’re using and the speed of your computer. The IIIp, according to Hewlett-Packard, can process business graphics up to 10 times faster than the HP IIp.
Both the IIIp and IIp come with a “multipurpose” paper tray that can handle up to 70 sheets of paper. The same tray is used for envelopes and other media. Unfortunately, you have to first remove the paper to print an envelope. An optional paper tray ($195) holds an extra 250 sheets and frees up the multipurpose tray for single-feed envelopes, transparencies and other media.
Both machines allow you to add an optional PostScript cartridge that provides access to 35 additional scalable fonts. HP laser printers are designed for IBM-compatible machines but can be used with an Apple Macintosh when upgraded with the PostScript cartridge, additional memory and an AppleTalk connector.
For me, the printer’s scalable fonts are a major attraction. I like the freedom to express myself in any type size, especially when I’m designing party invitations, flyers and other eye-catching documents.
Fortunately, there are a number of software programs that provide font scaling for users of other laser printers, including older HP-compatible models. Adobe Type Manager and Bitstream Facelift--which work with any HP-compatible printer--provide scalable fonts to users of Microsoft Windows.
My favorite font program, MoreFonts, provides 25 scalable fonts and works with all Microsoft Windows programs as well as with WordPerfect, LetterPerfect, Microsoft Word, MultiMate, XyWrite, Ventura Publisher and First Publisher. The program now works only with HP-compatible laser printers, but the company will soon release a version that works with dot-matrix printers, ink jets and other types of laser printers.
The program costs $149 and is available from MicroLogic Software of Emeryville, Calif., (800) 888-9078 or (415) 652-5464. Hewlett-Packard can be reached at (800) 752-0900.
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