Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!seismo!husc6!bloom-beacon!think!ames!ucbcad!ucbvax!decvax!decwrl!sun!korn%cory.Berkeley.EDU@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU From: korn%cory.Berkeley.EDU@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU (Peter "Arrgh" Korn) Newsgroups: comp.text.desktop Subject: Re: Questions about Epson GQ-3500 Message-ID: <23723@sun.uucp> Date: Fri, 17-Jul-87 12:17:12 EDT Article-I.D.: sun.23723 Posted: Fri Jul 17 12:17:12 1987 Date-Received: Sat, 18-Jul-87 17:05:28 EDT Sender: news@sun.uucp Distribution: comp Organization: What, me organized??? Lines: 65 Approved: desktop-request%plaid@sun.com > 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? ---------------------------------------- Submissions to: desktop%plaid@sun.com -OR- sun!plaid!desktop Administrivia to: desktop-request%plaid@sun.com -OR- sun!plaid!desktop-request Paths: {ihnp4,decwrl,hplabs,seismo,ucbvax}!sun