High time for high-resolution - 10 600 dpi laser printers are evaluated - includes related summary article - Hardware Review - Evaluation

Home Office Computing, Oct, 1994 by Stephen W. Plain

Epson ActionLaser 1600

Rating: ** 1/2

WIN / DOS

The 6-ppm Epson ActionLaser 1600 is one of only two printers in this review selling for under $1,000. But low price doesn't mean low end. The ActionLaser 1600 provides very good performance among 6- and 8-ppm printers. Output is attractive, though the printer's paper handling is limited. PCL5e comes standard, and another $329 will get you a proprietary PostScript level 2 emulation.

The printer's short and deep design resembles a personal copier. You load paper by lifting a cover in front and sliding the stock down into the slanted multipurpose tray. Though the tray takes up most of the unit's front, it handles only 150 sheets; an optional second tray takes only 250 more. In default mode, face-down output is oddly ejected forward from the unit; only a flimsy-looking plastic stopper inserted into slots on top stops the paper from sliding off the printer. The standard parallel and serial interfaces are located on the left, curiously closer to the front than the rear.

It's easy to change the printer's toner. When you open the hinged rear portion of the top, the cartridge pops up conspicuously. Output was generally very clear, but test photographs tended to be darker than the other printers', despite several intensity adjustments. Though a little strange in design, the ActionLaser 1600 is a cost-effective way to get 600 dpi onto your desktop.

HP LaserJet 4Plus

Rating: ****

WIN / DOS

HP LaserJet 4MP

Rating: *** 1/2

WIN / DOS / MAC

HP targets two distinct markets with these comparably priced 600 dpi solutions. The LaserJet 4MP is a 4-ppm model, street priced at $1,350, that is suitable for personal desktop use or for hooking up to two or three systems; it comes with parallel, serial and LocalTalk interfaces. The LaserJet 4Plus is a sturdy, 12-ppm unit--street priced at $1,450, it's equipped with parallel and serial interfaces and offers the fast performance you want as documents get more complex or workgroups sharing one printer get larger. Both printers offer exceptional output and construction.

The LaserJet 4Plus's construction and paper handling are superb, and the stylishly arched top holds a well-lit and easy-to-operate control panel. Like the LBP-860, the 4Plus uses a single-line LED display to show status and setup menu options. The 4Plus comes standard with PCL5e, but for $2,479, you can purchase the 4M Plus, with Adobe PostScript level 2 and a LocalTalk port onboard. (You can also upgrade the 4Plus later with those same options.)

The LaserJet 4MP, a smaller unit with less elaborate construction, crams in a lot of functionality for a 4-ppm system. It comes with PCL5e and Adobe PostScript level 2 standard. (Its sibling, the LaserJet 4P, drops the LocalTalk interface, PostScript, and the price to $1,229.) As with the 4Plus, the output is superb. The main things you give up are the 4Plus's 12-ppm speed and more comprehensive paper handling. Because of its simplified design, the 4MP doesn't have the front-loading, 100-sheet multipurpose tray you get with the LaserJet 4Plus, a feature that can be very handy. (Both printers also have a 250-sheet input drawer.)