Re: mac & IIGS compatible printers

[joko@crl.com (Joe Kohn)]

In article <199502110635.BAA29697@beauty> tschmidt@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu 
(Tim Schmidt) writes:

>While reading the latest Shareware Solutions II (great job, Joe!), I
>see that when looking for a printer for a IIGS, one should look for
>keywords such as "HP Compatible, LaserJet Compatible, or PCL Compatible."
>
>I would like to use this printer on both a macintosh and my beloved IIGS.
>So, my question is, will these printers also work on macintoshes?  If
>not, what printers WILL work for both?
>
>  Thanks,
>    Tim
>
>_._._._ tschmidt@agnus.acs.ohio-state.edu _._._ schmidt.180@osu.edu _._._._

Please keep in mind that the recent "buyer's guide" article in Shareware 
Solutions II about high quality printers had a focus on getting the "most 
bang for your bucks." The least expensive laser printer you can connect 
to an Apple II are those that are designed for use in the IBM PC world. A 
couple of common examples of good deals are the HP LaserJet 4L (with a 
street price of $499) or the Okidata OL400e (street price of $399).
 
So, the truth of the matter is, if you want the best deal possible, shop 
for "HP Compatible, LaserJet Compatible, or PCL Compatible." Because of 
Harmonie, any of those printers are essentially "plug and print" with a 
IIGS. For the IIe/IIc user, the NAUG Printer Disk will let you easily 
print from AppleWorks Classic (or you can just set up an AW Custom 
Printer and enter codes).

When you're talking about using a laser printer on both an Apple IIGS and 
a Mac, you have to pay considerably more money. A printer that works on 
both could easily double the price. Why? Laser printers used on Mac 
computers are PostScript printers and networkable. 

Of course there are many printers that will work on both IIGS and Mac, 
but IMHO, the extra $400 or $500 or more that it would cost just makes it 
prohibitively expensive. 

But, again, that's just one person's opinion...based on getting the best 
value for your dollar. But, the opinion is also based on having used an 
HP LaserJet (designed for the IBM PC) on a IIGS for more than 2 years, 
without a single complaint. And, not once have I ever thought to myself, 
"Gee, why didn't I buy a PostScript printer so I could print from 
PublishIt4 at 300dpi."

I'll have to leave specific recommendations to others. But, I'll leave 
you with one thought...if you were to buy a HP LaserJet 4L for your IIGS 
and a DiskWriter 540 (with color cartridge) for your Mac, it would still 
cost you much less money than buying a laser printer that'll work on both a 
IIGS and a Mac.

Joe Kohn
Publisher, Shareware Solutions II

(And yes, my opinions _are_ the opinions of Shareware Solutions II)