TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: QUESTION: Epson or HP? From:Geoff Bradbury <bradg -at- BIGPOND -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 9 Feb 1998 07:57:47 +1100
Kim Keegan wrote:
>
> Hi gang - I'm asking for your professional opinions again.
>
> I'm in the market for a color inkjet printer. I've focused my research
> on Epson and HP (pretty much because I know I can go pick one up off the
> shelf at CompUSA or BestBuy), and have printed out specs for various
> printers from these manufacturers' websites. Now I want to hear from
> actual users.
<snip!>
Greetings Kim...
I've been using an HP 820 CXi colour inkjet for over a year now. What a
pearler! It gets used for everything from product slicks to 500 page
manuals to CD-ROM covers and birthday cards. The cost of consumables (ie
cartridges) is very reasonable compared to the EPSON 4220 I was using on
my last contract. The increasing range of stock suitable for inkjet
printing is constantly growing, so I can print glossy covers as well as
great looking pages for that "just so" look.
The HP also supports nice features such a duplex printing. Sure, you
have to take the paper out of the tray and feed it back in to print the
reverse of each page, but it's efficient and independent of the printing
application.
And for speed? Well, it may not break the sound barrier but you can
start off a sizable print job and know it'll be done by the time you get
from (a longish) lunch.
Gotchas? I'd maybe like the HP 1000 (?) model 'cause it handles A3-size
paper - great for creating A4-size pages with bleeds (the 820's
non-printable margins make bleeds impossible, but the same applies to
most printers). Also, the 820 model is optimised for the Windows
printing system (forget using it on a Mac).
...cheers!
_____________________________________________________
Geoff Bradbury - Technical Writer at your service...
Call me on bradg -at- bigpond -dot- com
"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly
by."
- Douglas Adams
