[anoetic]

I am in the market for a laser printer. Primarily for labels, PDFs, illustrator files, and word docs. I was interested in a postscript printer and found some used Laserjet 8500s online. Since I can't go to the store to try it out I was wondering what people thought of the quality of the 8500 (600 DPI) vs a HP 1200 (1200 DPI) or a Brother 1470N (2400 X 600 DPI) or a Brother 1850. Is it just as good or is it better just to get one of the other new printers available.

Also, how does PCL 6 in Jaguar compare to postscript emulation on a laser printer -- for PDFs, Illustrator files, and word docs.

Thanks for your help.

[anoetic]

Sorry wrote laserjet 8500 meant to write Apple Laserwriter 8500.

[OreoCookie]

Do you know how huge a LaserWrite 8500 is? A new printer is the far better alternative. I'd recommend Kyocera-Mita, they have cheap toner and good quality. Although you have to ?tinker' a bit as there is no installer for OS X. But you just have to copy the postscript description file into the appropriate folder (/Library/Printer).

[Nick Ahlfs]

The 8500 is terrific. But I would go with a newer generation: 1200 dpi. Check reviews of large format b/w printers. Many use the same basic "engine" --Fuji, I believe.

For example, when I bought the 8500, it was identical in nearly all respects to an IBM printer.

Look at Xante or GCC brands. And keep in mind that these are business machines which are very durable and are capable of producing thousands of copies a month, if you need to.

Whatever you buy, get as much memory as you can built in to speed up the download time to the printer.