Laser Printers and upgrading old G3 powerbooks to USB
From mccollum@colorado.edu Sat Jan 22 09:46:18 2000
Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2000 23:55:55 -0700
From: Dave McCollum
Reply-To: Textures Mailing List
To: Textures Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Textures] Printers
Hi,
First of all, I just bought the new Lexmark Optra M410n (the Ethernet
version). A USB version, Optra M410 is available through various
online resellers for under US $600. The printer has 600/1200 dpi, 12
ppm, is easily RAM upgradeable (use Simple Technology RAM --- it is
1/4 the price of Lexmark's RAM), and emulates level 3 PostScript.
Other than very expensive printers, or Apple's defunct LaserWriter
8500, it was the only printer that support level 3 PostScript. FYI,
the Ethernet version sells for under US $700. Actual printing is
extremely fast (close to the PPM rating) and the output is very nice
looking.
And, it's just your lucky day... MCE has introduced an upgrade for PB
3400c, 2400c, and the original PB G3... it is an upgrade to the PC
card bus... the upgrade takes the bus from 16 bit to 32 bit (called
CardBus)... it's about US $99.... And, for another US $79, you can
get a CardBus to USB adapter with 2 USB ports. So, for around US
$180, you can use USB peripherals with your PB 3400.
Hope this helps. The URL for MCE is:
They are a small company, but I have bought several things from them
without any problems.
-Dave McCollum
mccollum@colorado.edu
> >At 11:34 AM -0500 1-4-00, Karl Sigman wrote:
>>
>>>I have a Mac G4, and need a good PS printer (with USB port) for using
>>>Textures; not connected to a network.
>>>
>>>What are some good makes/models?
>>>
>>>($400-$700)
>>>
>>>
>>>Many thanks,
>>
>>I recently got an HP LaserJet 2100TN and I **love it**. This
>>particular model has built-in Ethernet, but there are 2100 models
>>(2100M) without Ethernet and with USB (you will need the new HP USB
>>card) which (I think) are cheaper. Mine was a little over $900.
>>
>>It has PostScript Level 2 emulation (have had zero problems with
>>this), the output is phenomenal at 1200 dpi and it is very fast (fast
>>processor and 10 ppm output). Textures documents come out quickly and
>>look great.
>>
>
>I have a similar problem for a home PostScript printer
>
>and at about half the price of the 2100M
>is the Lexmark Laser Optra E310
>which I think merits attention
>For its characteristics check through
>http://www.lexmark.com/
>In particular
>Built-in USB port and PostScript Level 2 emulations standard
>
>I don't have a G3 or G4
>but rather a PowerPC 603ev processor in a PB3400c
>so my dealer tells me that there is no suitable PC card with USB ports
>that can be used with it.
> Question: IS THAT REALLY SO ?
>I am also told that the optional Ethernet (10BaseT/10Base2) external adapter
>costs almost as much as the printer itself !
>So it seems that I am forced back on the higher price level!
>AGAIN: IS THAT REALLY SO ?
>Can someone suggest a remedy
>
>cheers
>lionel lovitch
>
>Lionel Lovitch
>c/o Dipartimento di Fisica
>Universita' di Pisa
>piazza Torricelli 2
>I 56100 PISA (Italy)
>
>tel. +39 050 911305
>
>fax +39 050 48277
>
>e-mail lovitch@difi.unipi.it
>
>
>
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