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Tom Deyerle
Joined: 14 Apr 2004
Posts: 17
Location: Carmel, California
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 Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 1:18 pm Post subject: Printer recommendation |
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| I'm a one person operation (Landscape Architect) and am looking for a good quality reasonably priced printer that will work seamlessly with PowerCadd (6.1.1) and my Mac (Powerbook G4 OS 10.3.4). I need to print at least 24"x36" prints. Does anyone have a recommendation for a printer that will work right out of the box? Thanks for your time. |
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John Cruet
Joined: 30 Apr 2004
Posts: 284
Location: Guilford, CT
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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See if you can pick up a discontinued Encad CadJet 2. It's fast, and beautifully compatible with Microspot x-Rip.
I've been quite pleased with the results I've been getting.
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John Cruet
G4/733 w/1028 mb RAM & OS 10.4.10, Classic-free, skuzzy-free (runs PC7)
MacBook Pro 2G Intel core duo 2 gig RAM & OS 10.5.4.
PowerCadd 8, WT 9
Canon iP710 printer
www.johncruet.com |
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Bo
Joined: 14 Apr 2004
Posts: 43
Location: Newport Beach, CA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 5:15 pm Post subject: |
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Searching back in the list may get some comments, but:
1. HP does lead the field in large-format plotters: http://www.hp.com
2. FLAAR.org has a website devoted to wide format imaging & some info comparison stuff is in pdf format.
http://www.wide-format-printers.org/
3. THE GREAT DEBATE: Software RIPs versus Hardware Postscript built-in: I don't know the answer on this. Hardware PS in HP devices is pricey. Software RIPs are cheaper. Hardware RIP PC Boards are pricey. I've used all sorts of stuff over 15 years, and the built-in PS with the HP I've used up till now (650c; the first one) is the ONLY ONE which ALWAYS worked. Several PowerCADD users note that Microspot RIP or others give better image quality. As I said, it is a great debate.
4. Price: HP may not be the cheapest, but they do have the nod for rugged reliability. My 650c PS is still going after 10 years (though I run it on OS 9 yet), and I don't use it heavily.
5. GIMP-Print is built-in or supplied with Panther 10.3.x, so there is a partial RIP solution for some versions of printers which can drive a variety of plotters and printers. There have been some posts about this on the board in the past.
Good Luck - Bo |
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lavardera
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 420
Location: merchantville, nj
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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the least expensive options for a new large format are the HP designjet 100, 120, 130 series which work with OSx and I believe OS9 out of the box.
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greg |
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Bill Stanley
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 315
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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Gosh, based on the comments I see here occasionally one might wonder if any printer works seamlessly. It would seem that with the introduction of Unix and the many possible combinations of configurations there is always a way to mess it up. Someone has found a solution to every printer imaginable. However someone has had a problem with every printer imaginable.
Alas life has become more complicated with the increase in computer capabilities.
Bill Stanley |
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patrickm
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 322
Location: santa barbara, ca
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 9:27 pm Post subject: |
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I've been using my HP755cm for 6 years and it is bulletproof. It works great under OSX. I primarily use it for black and white construction drawings and am quite satisfied. I bought it used from eBay and have had no problems. I just checked on eBay and they are going for $1,800 to $2,000.
Lately, I have been sending PDF files to the local print shop for printing sets, so my use of the plotter has decreased. I mainly print half-sized check sets. I can see that in a year or so, I may sell the plotter and buy a tabloid size ink jet, primarily to save space in my office. |
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Nick
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 100
Location: Long Island, N.Y.
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| Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 11:25 am Post subject: HP DesignJet 100 |
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I purchased the HP DesignJet 100 for $999 and it worked right out of the box with system X. It has a 13 x 19 100 sheet tray and you can hand feed 24 x 36 prints. This printer has four ink cartridges.
I am now running running OS 10.3.4 with the latest PowerCadd and
WildTools.
You might want to consider the roll feed option on the 120 or 130 if you are going to print a lot of 24 x 36 prints
I have had no problems with this printer and I am very happy with the output. |
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celento
Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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A little late to reply on this, but here's my .02
Never, ever, ever buy a large format printer that requires rip software. We have spent countless hours wrestling with HP's crappy rip software. While the plotters are good, (okay the ink dries up in the carrier too often) HP has LOUSY Mac rip software!!!
Dave Celento |
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