Re: [linux-audio-user] Suggested laser printer for score printing? - Linux-audio-user

12 Aug 2005

Hi Malcolm,

I use an HP LaserJet 4000 N for printing & I am always pleased with the
quality. Not bad for £50 s/h a couple of years ago.

Even better, I have never had to do anything regarding setting it up
from within the system. Both Debian & Ubuntu seemed to recognise it
instantly during installation & it is just always there, ready to go.

I think that most straightforward laser printers should be fine.
Personally, I would recommend HP based on experience, but if looking to
buy second hand, avoid the HP 4050 printer/fax - I do remember from
reading at Linux Printing that this will not work at all with Linux.

Gavin.

...
  Message: 10
 Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 22:32:18 +0100
 From: "Mr. Spock" &lt;spock(a)canopus22.demon.co.uk&gt;
 Subject: [linux-audio-user] Suggested laser printer for score
 	printing?
 To: linux-audio-user(a)music.columbia.edu
 Message-ID: &lt;20050812213218.GA1343(a)canopus22.demon.co.uk&gt;
 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

 Hello,

 [I've just delurked and re-enabled Mail Delivery for this list for a 
 while to ask this question; there's usually too much traffic for me
 to keep up nowadays, sadly.]

 I Googled and looked at the archives but there's not much here about
 printing music notation. I'm needing to buy a printer that will be
 ideal for score printing and also plays well with Debian/DeMuDi.
 Since I don't really need colour, I'd prefer a laser printer.
 I'll stick with black+white A4 for now for cost reasons -
 I'm looking to spend about 200-300 UK pounds (about $300-500) max.

 I've not yet used Lilypond or any other scoring software, but believe
 that Postscript is a major plus. I know that Ghostscript exists to
 convert Postscript documents, but figure that if my printer natively
 understands PS it will be quicker and save processor time.
 Is Postscript Level 3 required, or will Level 2 suffice? PJL? PCL5?
 I also want a networkable one to share over my (wired) LAN.

 I've looked at the very informative pages about Linux Printing:

 http://www.linuxprinting.org/suggested.html

 ...and am considering getting a Kyocera Mita FS-920, FS-1010N or
 FS1020 or maybe something else by another penguin-loving company.

 Since I do have a fondness for old lo-tech gear, I did entertain ideas
 about a refurbished HP LaserJet 4 or 5 (fond memories from college
 days) after the high praise these old tanks got on Slashdot a while
 ago, but am thinking they may be a bit slow/tired compared to modern
 kit. My main considerations are reliability, build-quality,
 cost-per-page, speed and looks. I won't be printing reams and reams,
 and I can always manually re-enter pages to do duplex (both sides)
 printing.

 Sorry if this seems Off-Topic, but I wanted to check firstly that
 a Postscript mono-laser is a good choice for music. If necessary I'll
 take the discussion elsewhere to ask about specific models, unless
 anyone here has any good recommendations/horror stories to share.

 Thanks for your suggestions,
 -- 
 Malcolm Smith 
 http://www.canopus22.demon.co.uk/ 