CrystalPrint Publisher - PostScript-compatible page printer
                         Copyright 1989 David Batterson


     Although Apple Computer continues to dominate the PostScript laser printer
market with its LaserWriter Plus, IINT and IINTX models, several printer
companies are going after a chunk of this growing business.
     Qume Corporation has done an superb job in creating a laser-class printer
which matches the LaserWriter IINTX not only in printing speed, but output
quality.  This was verified by extensive independent tests conducted by
Infonetics, Inc. of Santa Clara, and published in "The Infonetics Analyst."
     [Since this printer uses Liquid Crystal Shutter technology rather than a
laser, it is technically a laser-CLASS printer, not a laser printer.  This
makes no difference to the end user, however, as it works virtually the same.]
     The CrystalPrint Publisher was found to be considerably faster than the
IINT, and in some cases (desktop presentation and graphics) outperformed the
IINTX configured with a hard drive.
     Infonetics also reported that the "CrystalPrint Publisher's font metrics
were quite good in all instances and compatible with LaserWriter IINT output in
every tested file, including a number of quite demanding applications in the
page composition and graphic arts document categories."
     My evaluation didn't take place in an expensive testing lab, running
benchmark tests.  I simply used the CrystalPrint Publisher in the real world
situation, printing hundreds of pages of word processing, presentation
graphics, desktop publishing and paint program files.
     The only glitch I encountered was while printing some graphs and charts
created with Pinstripe Presenter.  In text charts, the "bullets" did not line
up with the text.  Likewise, in the legend for graphs, the little boxes didn't
line up with the graph titles.
     I can only conclude that the problem is with the Pinstripe Presenter
PostScript printer driver, as I had no problems using the program previously
with a dot matrix printer.  I also experienced no similar problem with any
other software while using the CrystalPrint Publisher.
     So how does this printer do its magic?  First of all, it uses the WEITEK
XL-8200 HyperScript-Processor, a 32-bit RISC raster image processor designed
especially for page printers.  There's also 3 megabytes of RAM, and 1.5 MB ROM.
The CrystalPrint Publisher uses the Casio LCS-130 marking engine.
     For most uses, the output from the CrystalPrint Publisher will be
perfectly acceptable for your document printing needs.  For those situations
where you need true typeset quality, use this printer for proof copies.  Then
use a service bureau to obtain PostScript typesetting, like the Linotronic 300
provides.
     The CrystalPrint Publisher comes standard with parallel, serial and
AppleTalk interfaces.  It will accept letter, legal, and DIN A4 or B5 paper
sizes.  The input bin holds 100 sheets.  Resolution is the standard 300 dpi.
It also prints transparencies (I tested the Polaroid 1076 brand).
     The drum unit was originally believed to handle only 10,000 pages.  The
printer was engineered so that it wouldn't print past 10,000, without replacing
the drum.  Later tests concluded that the drum would print 20,000 pages before
needing replacement.  The disabling mechanism has been eliminated from the
printer, and you now use your own judgement as to when the drum needs
replacing.
     You get the same eleven font families as the LaserWriter IINT, but there's
a total of 39 rather than 35 typefaces.  Fonts include Bitstream Dutch,
Bitstream Swiss, Courier, Symbol, ITC Avant Garde Gothic, ITC Bookman, New
Century Schoolbook, Bitstream Swiss Narrow, Zapf Calligraphic, ITC Zapf
Chancery, and ITC Zapf Dingbats.
     The four new fonts (added through a firmware enhancement) are Swiss Light,
Swiss Oblique, Swiss Black and Swiss Black Oblique.  These are Helvetica
typefaces equivalent to Adobe Helvetica soft fonts.
     The firmware enhancement provided the printer with enhanced font caching,
to improve printing speed even more.  Also, the CrystalPrint Publisher can now
make better use of Bitstream PostScript-compatible soft fonts.
     Owners of the earlier models can take advantage of a "return-to-depot"
upgrade, paying only shipping costs both ways.  On-site upgrades are available
for $125.  That's quite a bargain, and an example of fine customer service.
     Along with the overall performance of this printer, it has "the smallest
footprint in the page printer market" (15.7" wide x 13.4" deep x 9.1" high).
All in all, it adds up to an exceptional value.
     The CrystalPrint Publisher has a suggested list price of $4,499, much less
than Apple's IINTX.  (Why make Apple Computer any richer when you don't have
to?)  Replacement drum and toner sets retail for $129 and $99, respectively.
Check with your local Qume dealer, or contact Qume Corp., 500 Yosemite Drive,
Milpitas, CA  95035; 408-942-4000, FAX: 408-942-4052.
                                       #
      David Batterson does a lot of printing, and tests a lot of printers.
Send your comments via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON.