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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: rednova on March 30, 2009, 11:57:46 PM
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Dear Friends:
What is the best printer to use with my amiga 1200?
Specifically for use with pro write and professional page.
I will just giveaway my inkjet for free, and buy a printer that is most compatible.
rednova
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The best printer for your Amiga is not a printer per se. It is a program called TurboPrint. Why would you throw away an inkjet? Because you think it wouldn't work? Or because it doesn't have a parallel interface?
If that's the case, then you have a ton of choices. At your local GoodWill, ePay, Salavating Amy, etc. you will find various "obsolete" printers w/ parallel interfaces. InkJet, BubbleJet, Laser, Dot-Matrix, whatever. Heck, there's even a USB<>Parallel adapter if need be.
OR you could always get a Subway & TurboPrint if you'd like to use a semi-modern printer with your Amiga.
BTW: I have a VERY modern USB only Inket printer I use with my A2500 (thanks Deneb, Turboprint, etc.). Get this... without fudging around with the settings too much, I can get the output to look as if an ancient dot-matrix printer produced it! lol That's extremely hilarious as this is a top end, photo-realistic, 7 cartridge printer I am using. I LOVE it! lol
Reminds me of the Gorilla-Banana Atari 8-bit days :-)
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I agree with above, you have many options. I think some word processors (Final Writer/Copy?) will output a postscript file that can be moved to a newer (and faster printing) computer.
My personal choice is to use a 12pin Epson compatible (like a Panasonic) with Final Writer. The output is very good, and the tractor feed always works. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but, I beleive that a 12 pin might tax the cpu less than newer printers. The ribbon can be stored in plastic bag with a damp paper towel to keep moist.
I have a DeskJet 855c. It does a good job, even has color output. It's not fast. The biggest problem I have is the cartridges are spendy and I never get much use from one before they dry out. I don't need to print much. Also, the rubber feed rollers get coated in dust and stop grabbing the paper.
Since I no longer use a modem on the serial port, I may try an Apple printer. I think there are drivers for these dating back at least to OS 2.1
Just to say it, Final Copy and Final Writer probably give the best output with old printers.
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Even all POSTSCRIPT-compatible (not those with "drivers" to emulate it) laser printers are fine.
People will doubt you use an Amiga with it. :-)
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rkauer wrote:
Even all POSTSCRIPT-compatible (not those with "drivers" to emulate it) laser printers are fine.
Yup, that's what I use on the rare occasions when I print anything from my Amigas. Results are great, as expected.
- Ali
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I use TurboPrint with my Canon BJC-250 & i560's on both my A1200 and Amigaone OS4.1 without problems.
clint
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save2600 wrote:
Reminds me of the Gorilla-Banana Atari 8-bit days :-)
I -still- have my Gorilla-Banana printer! (As well as my Jay Miner 800) I wonder if it can be interfaced to an Amiga? Talk about trailing edge tech.
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I think Studio Professional II works better than Turbo Print. Maybe it depends on which side of the Atlantic you live on, (NTSC vs PAL machines) and which printer(s) you use.
For the actual printer, I use an old Canon BJC 230 for color and an HP 4M laser for high quality black printing.
With my A1200, running OS 3.5, I use the Amiga drivers with Final Writer 97 and Pagestream with excellent results! Pro Write's output doesn't measure up in this setup (it's not horrible, but not as good).
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I might be stingy.. But when i need something to be printed, I just E-Mail it to my work :-D
Back in the day, when I had a working printer, I used a Seikosha SL-95 Coler, 24 pin matrix printer.
And I actually managed to find a picture (http://images.gittigidiyor.com/1571/15712097_0.jpg) :-)
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For me the best printer for my Amiga is the HP Photosmart C6280 (http://hirudov.com/misc/HPPhotosmartC6280All-in-One.php). It have everything I need, the printed images are good even with the Workbench (AmigaOS) built-in printer options, and it can even scan and copy. Another plus is that I use it from any computer on the network, be it A1000, A1200 or AmigaOne.
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HP Laserjet with some more ram ! ;-)
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Well, I've always used TurboPrint 7 with all of my Epson Stylus Photo printers. Text is very sharp, but graphics are amazing, especially when I use the high-end papers from the art supply store...
One of my other hobbies is model railroading, I've used my Epson to make miniature signs, decals, safety placards, etc. It's pretty cool that you can make a sign that's literally 4mm x 4mm, that's still readable (with a magnifier, anyway..)
8-)
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Hi,
I've had great results on my Classics with TurboPrint and An HP 895C Deskjet. All around great performance. Separate black ink is a plus.
Chris
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I agree with Save2600 -the best printer is Turboprint! :lol:
Actually, unless you have a driver for the printer, it's pretty much useless and Turboprint has drivers for semi-modern printers; even those with USB ports :-D
I have 2 printers; an HP6P with Postscript module & 16mb Ram (that cost a bundle!) which is great for fast b&w printing. It takes Postscript output which many Amiga programs output.
I also have an HP Deskjet 5550 if I want to output in colour. It's slower than B&W but it's also slow on the PC I have it connected to (it has a parallel & USB interface), but gives good colour, has Duplex module and cartridges last ages, even when not used in a while.
Hope that helps! :crazy:
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rkauer wrote:
Even all POSTSCRIPT-compatible (not those with "drivers" to emulate it) laser printers are fine.
People will doubt you use an Amiga with it. :-)
OK, so literally any true postscript-compatible printer with a parallel port should work flawlessly with any Amiga OS?
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@orb85750
OK, so literally any true postscript-compatible printer with a parallel port should work flawlessly with any Amiga OS?
They should. Even network or USB PS printers. I've got 2 PS printers; one is a USB HP Business Inkjet connected to a network through a usb-network adapter and the other a Xerox network PS printer. Both work very well with all of my Amigas (OS 3.9 and OS4.1). I use lpr from Aminet. With PS of course you don't need Turboprint or Studio printer and printing is very fast.