[WEB4LIB] networked printer

[Andrew I. Mutch]

I don't know what the standard is for workstations per printer but I think
a 4000N is plenty enough even for 6 workstations being used for full
Internet access.  I've had a half-dozen staff workstations running on a
4000N being used for web documents, office applications, graphics and
design programs and it has handled everything without some much as a
hiccup.

Andrew Mutch
Library Systems Technician
Charter Township of Waterford, MI
Waterford Township Public Library


On Wed, 23 Dec 1998, James Klock wrote:

> What you probably want, if you're really only supporting these six
> stations, four of which are restricted to PAC usage, is what is commonly
> called a "workgroup" printer.  Hewlett Packard's LaserJet 4000N is an
> excellent example, which comes with a network card factory installed (the
> 4000 series has several varients, each of which is just a LJ 4000 with one
> or more of the optional accessories factory-installed).  If you're already
> using laser printers from another manufacturer (Lexmark, Panasonic, Xerox,
> whoever) in your installation, you might consider one of that
> manufacturer's products.
> 
> There are those who will tell you that you should want an HP LaserJet 8000,
> which is currently HP's top-end printer.  Frankly, it's overpowered for
> your current needs.  Unless you see your network printer usage increasing
> twofold (which doesn't neccesarily mean more workstations: if you were to
> start offering full Internet access on all six OPAC machines, that would be
> about a twofold increase on the printer) I'd stick with a 4000 series.  
> 
> Any networked laser printer you buy today should be highly configurable
> using network-based software, which will allow you to configure the printer
> fully from any machine on your network (well, any machine with the right
> software installed on it).  
> 
> >We currently have 6 terminals that are used mainly as OPAC, although 2 have
> >full Internet Access as well.  Right now, one of them has a cranky
> >dot-matrix printer locally attached to that PC.   We are looking into
> >putting a laser printer onto the network, so that any terminal may print to
> >that printer.  Does anyone on this list have any suggested hardware?  It
> >would have to include a network card, and then be connected to our hub.
>