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.