LaserWriter Plus

[der Mouse]

>> The functional difference is that when I print complex Postscript
>> documents to the PCL-only printer, it is much *FASTER*.  The
>> computer has a lot more computons available for rendering than the
>> Postscript printer does.

> I have a similar setup at home, but I still send PS to my 4ML
> because, in side-by-side comparisons, the computer-rendered output is
> slightly worse than the 4ML's output.  The 4ML's curved lines seem
> anti-aliased or something; they're smoother.  Halftoning looks a bit
> better too.  But that's just my opinion.  Both printers are 300 DPI
> (the 4ML has "resolution-enhancing technology", not sure if that is
> marketing-speak or actual features though; the PCL printer does not).

Probably actual features, if you can see the difference.  I suspect
that the smoother curves and better halftones are exactly what the
"resolution-enhancing technology" does.  (I'm not sure in what sense
it's still 300dpi; perhaps if I knew the guts of the thing I'd be able
to say something more definitive.)

> Back in 1988, when sending a semi-complex page took tens of minutes
> to spool, PS was magic for me -- computer control was returned in
> less than half a minute and I could keep working while this complex
> page was formed on the printer.

I still remember the time, soon after we (at the university lab I
worked for at the time) got our first LaserWriter, when I wrote PS code
to print a plot where a point (X,Y) was white or black according as X
and Y were relatively prime or not.  (Experimenting with an unusual
data procedure to the image operator.)  I printed a few sheets at low
and medium resolutions (eg, 100 pixels each way on an 8" square), then
cranked it up to full 2400x2400 dots (300dpi * 8").  Sending the file
took moments (9600 baud serial line) - but the printer just sat there.
I had to leave it overnight. :-)

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