Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Dream Machine ( Build your own PC ) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Howard R. Hansen who wrote (2021)	8/21/1998 1:58:00 AM
From: peter michaelson	Respond to of 14778

Thanks Howard. I took a look at the PC Magazine article you mentioned. What's missing is a side by side comparison of all available laser multi-functions. In searching, I'm finding a paucity of information on printers in general, which seems odd considering that the total cost of printing probably equals that of the PC over the life of the system. Good business/website opportunity! Peter

To: Howard R. Hansen who wrote (2021)	8/21/1998 10:37:00 AM
From: Sean W. Smith	Respond to of 14778

>> I think I want to buy a multi-function laser printer. I printed out Brother & HP demos at some local stores today and they are beautiful! I forgot how nice laser output is. Any advice for me? << The November 4, 1997 edition of PC Magazine, the copy devoted to printers, recommends the Brother MFC-4550. This was the only laser multifunction printer PC Magazine liked. All of the other recommended multifunction printers were ink jets. I own an MFC-4550 and its a great printer/copier/fax but it certainly has some limitations that aren't obvious up front. 1. The printer has no built in emaulation (PCL or PS) so it uses a Windows GDI driver. This printer is only SUPPORTED under 95. Yes it works under 98. You cannot print to it from ANY dos application even from within windows. There is also NO NT Driver for it. Also the included driver will not print over a NETWORK. The scanning/fax and other features are not available on the network either. Honestly I have never used the scanner or the fax/modem capability. I do use it to send and receive plain paper faxes and as a copier and its superior to inkjets for both of these tasks and was the main reason I bought. There is a workaround for this problem although Brother will not tell you. I found this via experimentation. If you download the printer driver for the Brother HL-720 you gain three things. 1. Faster printing with significantly less CPU overhead. The stock MFC4550 sucks compared to this one. 2. Printing over the Network now works. 3. They have an HL-720 driver for NT that works over the network. It prints fast reliable and toner is cheap. If you can live with the dos limitations and don't have grandoise plans about scanning or faxing from a network client this a great home office device. BTW: The built in fax switch works well too with my voice line and answering machine. The 6550 seems to be a waste of money. Hope this helps... Sean