Thanks to Reg and Bob for their prompt responses,

I don't think that the OL400e is still available, or at least,it isn't
listed on Okidata's current products list on their website. The particluar
model I was looking to buy was the OKIPAGE OP4W. It sounds basically the
same as what you are describing,Bob, except for one thing that concerns me
a bit, it is a GDI-based printer, which as far as I can decipher, means
that the software on the computer does the translation from the format in
which you are prining into the bitmap raster which the printer's LED array
needs. So, you have to have winvirus 95 running at the same time for it to
work. I'm a bit concerned that certain DOS-based programs may not like
this(although, they claim it will work with most DOS programs if running in
a win95 dos shell). It's memory is also listed as being only 128k, I guess
that this is because it is GDI based and the  computer's own memory is used.

Okidata seem to be big on this GDI concept. Almost all of their low-end LED
printers use it, with one exception, the OP6e or OP6ex. However, that is
around $225. Still probably within my budget, but I'd rather not pay that
much more if it isn't necessary (it is also 6ppm, which I don't really need).

The price on the OP4W is incredible, only $150 at Microwarehouse and
several other dealers, and just as you said, the toner is only $25 per
cartridge, and the image drum (supposed to be rated for 10k pages) is about
$114.

Thanks for your help and I'd appreciate any further comments.

Sean


At 08:42 PM 2/6/99 -0500, you wrote:
>I have an Okidata OL400e that I've been using for about
>three years. I've been extremely happy with it.
>The way it works is that there is a bar on the underside
>of the cover with a row of red LEDs the width of the
>paper. The paper transport moves the paper against this
>light bar, which has the same effect as the laser beam
>in a laser printer. Mine is set up to do 300dpi, but there
>are 600dpi units. Generally it has been very reliable,
>except for occasionally getting hungry on me (*). One
>nice thing is that the toner cartridges are separate
>from the fuser mechanism, so that when you run out of
>toner that is all you have to replace. In three years
>I've put maybe 40 or 50 reams of paper through it and
>have maybe replaced the toner four or so times and
>the fuser never. The toner cartridges usually run me
>abuot US$ 20-25.
>
>Generally, I find that print media that is designed for
>laser printers are almost always compatible with the
>Okidata. (I haven't found any that wasn't but I don't
>want to claim that there this never happens). One nice
>thing the OL400e is that if you extend the back tray and
>supply the paper from the single-sheet tray in the
>front, then the paper goes straight through the
>printer without being bent over a roller; this is
>really nice for envelopes and labels.
>
>--Bob
>
>* for some reason it seems to want me to give it some jam
>-- "FEED JAM" it always says -- and it sulks and won't
>print anything until I take the paper away from it and
>make it restart. I refuse to give it any, however, 'cause
>I figure it will just get my printouts all sticky :-).
>I think that sometimes it must talk someone into giving
>it some, because I find that I have to clean the paper
>rollers on occasion.
>
>--
>============================================================
>Bob Drzyzgula                             It's not a problem
>bob@drzyzgula.org                until something bad happens
>============================================================
>
|
| Sean Breheny
| Amateur Radio Callsign: KA3YXM
| Electrical Engineering Student
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