nguage (PCL) 6, the next-generation printer language that HP claims will deliver faster graphics printing, improved gr
ay-scaling, and a new font-synthesis technology.
The LaserJet 5 is rated at 12 pages per minute and prints at 600 dots per inch. It comes standard with 4 MB of memory and three SIMM slots. The printer has 45 TrueType fonts, and an additional 65 come on disk. Windows-based Font-Smart software helps manage fonts.
Two paper trays are standard: a 100-sheet/10-envelope internal tray and a removable 250-sheet paper tray. An optional 500-sheet assembly costs $299.
You can connect directly to the printer using a parallel or serial port. You can easily add network support by putting an HP JetDirect or third-party network card into the printer. An Infrared Device Association (IRDA)-compliant infrared serial port can be added with a $79 adapter.
The LaserJet 5N is identical to the 5 but comes configured with a JetDirect 10Base-T Ethernet card and HP's JetAdmin software. We tested the 5M, with its standard support for 10Base-T, BNC thin coaxial, and LocalTalk; 6 MB of memory; and
Adobe PostScript Level 2.
All these printers use HP's Resolution Enhancement technology (REt), a set of algorithms that instruct a printer to add, remove, size, and position dots selectively to produce smoother text and edges. The LaserJet 5 requires less printer memory than the 4 because of its hardware-aided adaptive data compression.
Usability Improves
HP put a lot of thought into the physical design and usability of this new line of printers. For example, molded-in handles make the 37-pound unit much easier to unpack and move.
The control panel has also undergone a much-needed and well-thought-out redesign. You no longer have to interpret tiny blinking lights or squint at an obscure code on a dim LCD. The LaserJet 5 has a bright, blue-green fluorescent, 16-character display that's easily readable from across the room or down the hall. Up to two 40-character plain-language messages can scroll across the display.
The control panel gives you access to menu choices a
nd eliminates the need to retrace your steps. Make your selections and push the printer's large Go button, and the printer is instantly on-line.
One real improvement is the new Job Cancel button, which lets you instantly stop jobs in progress. Other enhancements include an external paper-level indicator and molded-in numbers to identify the paper trays.
Driving PCL 6
These printers are the first to use PCL 6, HP's newest printer language. HP says PCL 6 is optimized for printing from Windows and similar environments. (See the sidebar "PCL Turns 6".) HP makes some impressive claims for PCL 6: faster graphics printing, improved quality, better correspondence between screen and hard copy, and smaller print data streams. But we found PCL 6 performance wasn't always what we expected.
HP provides three separate drivers for Windows: standard, enhanced, and PostScript. According to HP, the standard driver is compatible with PCL 5e files and performs best with simple text or mixed t
ext and graphics. The enhanced driver maximizes output for documents with complex graphics. And the PostScript driver provides new functions, such as
n
-up printing (i.e., multiple pages on each output sheet) and watermarks.
We first printed two graphics: a blueprint-style image (mostly lines) and a complex 3-D rendering with shaded polygons and curves. Both were printed via Broderbund's 3D Home Architect. The standard driver significantly outperformed the enhanced driver, by factors of 2 and 4, respectively. Repeating these tests on a faster computer showed smaller, but still large, differences.
HP engineers suggested we try more "business-like" applications, so we printed a file containing two graphics images and a watermark; then a complex WordPerfect 7 text page; and finally three PowerPoint slides. In general, the enhanced driver was about 10 percent faster than the standard driver (see the table
"Dueling Drivers"
).
Output from the two drivers showed differ
ences in size and shading, and the enhanced-driver output matched the on-screen display more closely. The PostScript driver was a little better yet.
The standard driver lets you switch to 300 dpi for printing draft images. The enhanced driver uses the same image resolution and printing speed in both cases; the economy mode saves toner by producing a lighter image.
Utilities and Networking
The
LaserJet 5M
ships with software and utilities to support DOS, Windows 3.x and 95, and the Mac. The Status Window utility alerts you to printer malfunctions via a pop-up window. Alternatively, status can be reported using voice alerts.
JetAdmin software supports the setup, use, and management of all printers connected to a network using HP's JetDirect print-server software. Supported network OSes include Windows 95 and NT, NetWare, OS/2 LAN Server, and Unix.
That Certain Something
Besides its high-quality output, ease of use, and rock-sol
id reliability, this printer has an extra appeal that's very real but hard to define. At BYTE, we work with a steady stream of good laser printers and we're used to seeing them leave. But the LaserJet 5M will be harder to give up.
It's not the smallest, the least expensive, or the fastest, but it's a winner. Targeted squarely at small office workgroups, the 5M has speed, connectivity, and flexibility, making it a good value for individual and home-office use.
Product Information
LaserJet 5M....................$2229 (as tested)
Hewlett-Packard
Palo Alto, CA
Phone: (800) 752-0900
Internet:
http://www.hp.com
Circle 997 on Inquiry Card.
A High Five for the Latest LaserJet
