HP4 vs HP4+: Use same RAM, postscript card and jetdirect card?

[Muse]

1. Can I simply move the 4MB of extra memory in the HP4M (it has 6MB total) to the HP4+?

2. Will the Jetdirect network card I bought used and installed in the HP4M in order to make it a network printer on my wireless LAN (it's connected by ethernet cable to my wireless router) supply the same function to the HP4+ if I move it over and configure the HP4+?

3. Will the postscript card I bought separately when I converted my HP4 to an HP4M also convert the HP4+ to an HP4M+ if I install it in the HP4+ (along with the extra 4MB memory)?

I've been using an HP4M (when I bought it very slightly used it was an HP4, but had an extra 4MB RAM on top of the 2MB stock for the HP4, so I bought a postscript card for it to make it essentially an HP4M) since 1994, but now have an HP4+, a slightly later model with various improvements.

Uh, one more question:

4. Memory for these old printers is going very cheap now, presumably used. Is it worth while to buy extra RAM or is 6MB "sufficient?" One reason I ask is when I print manuals using postscript I often find that it takes hours but if I use the PCL driver it's very snappy. Don't know why that's happening.

 

[Muse]

OMG, 136 views and nobody knows?

 

[Paperdoc]

It looks to me like the unfortunate answer is no on moving SIMMS from an HP4 to a 4+. See this HP page listing accessories for Legacy LaserJets:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...pportFAQ&prodSeriesId=75419&prodTypeId=329290

It indicates that the RAM modules for 4 and 4+ models are different HP part numbers because they are different RAM - one is 36-bit, the other 32-bit. It also indicates that the Postscript modules likewise have different part numbers.

Regarding the Jet Direct card, only thing I found is this page:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...upportFAQ&prodSeriesId=27058&prodTypeId=18972

which seems to indicate that the card fits many LaserJet series printers electrically, but uses different face plates to fit mechanically. However, it seems all the 4-series printers use the same faceplate, so what you plan should work.

 

[Muse]

Ah, thanks! So, if I make the 4+ my network printer it won't have postscript unless I get a postscript module for it and additional memory. Certainly a LOT cheaper now than back in the day but I'm thinking it may not be worth it. Honestly, I'm not at all sure it was worth it to get the postscript module for my HP4, which effectively turned it into an HP4M (inasmuch as it had 6MB of RAM in it already). The PCL driver's output has always looked virtually equivalent to me as the postscript driver's output, so this begs the question "what the devil is the advantage of printing postscript, anyway?" Indeed, I've found that printing using the postscript driver is sometimes a very tedious process (inexplicable to me), and it can take literally hours to print a 60 page PDF (a product or software manual, usually), whereas the entire document will print in a few minutes using the PCL driver. The postscript driver is my default, but when I'm having trouble with slow printing I usually switch to the PCL driver for that particular document. I do imagine that I can find the postscript module for the LJ4+ pretty cheaply now, but I'm not at all sure it's worth the trouble and money. Extra RAM is undoubtedly very cheap now too, but I don't know if it's worth it either.

 

[Paperdoc]

Regarding RAM, I have 8 MB in my LaserJet 4 (not M, no Postscript). When I got it back in 1993 I bought an additional 2MB (so, total 4 MB) at a distressing price. It has been my unit of choice for high-quality black-and-white printing - few inkjets can come close to it. It always did full-page (including 8½" x 14") at 300 dpi, but could not do that sheet size in 600 dpi, and sometimes had difficulty with 600 dpi on 8" x 11". Some years later I found myself with a surplus 4MB SIMM module that fit the printer and it worked, boosting to 8MB total. Now 600 dpi always works well, and you certainly can see a big difference from 300 to 600 dpi on grey-scale artwork! That does not quite tell you whether 6MB is "sufficient", but I understand that using Postscript requires more RAM. That's why their Postscript RAM module always added 4 MB along with the Postscript interpreter.

I kind of agree with you about the need for Postscript - I've never used it or found need for it. Back in the 1990's, it WAS necessary for anyone using a Mac with a LaserJet, and it was useful for many PC users who worked with complex pages that required Postscript. But app software has advanced so much that the "need" for Postscript on PC's no longer exists, I think.

 

[Muse]

I've been poking around looking for information and just came upon the following, which raised my eyebrows:
- - - -
NOTE: The optional memory required for HP LaserJet family printers is directly influenced by the complexity of the graphics and soft fonts in use. With the introduction of MEt, optional memory may not be required for graphics printing. However, adding more memory may enhance printer performance. SIMM specifications for the HP LaserJet 4 Plus printer are 72 pin, 32 bit, and 80 ns. Presence Detect must also be available on the SIMM. (The HP LaserJet 4 Plus printer can use 36-bit memory from the HP LaserJet 4 printer.)
- - - -
Although HP's page for parts for legacy printers (linked by Paperdoc in previous post) makes no mention of this, the statement above concerning compatibility looks credible. The page is here:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=bpl02075&locale=en_US&prodSeriesId=25484&prodTypeId=18972

I found a 16MB SIMM for the 4+ for about $6.50 shipped, but may just move the 4MB SIMM from my Laserjet 4 to the laserjet 4+, it will evidently work. Don't know why they went from 36bit memory to 32bit but evidently the 36bit will work in the Laserjet 4+. Whether or not to bother with Postscript is another conundrum. It may well not be worth it. A little more memory can't hurt, I figure, however. Hopefully, the 36bit 4MB SIMM from the Laserjet 4 won't conflict with the 2MB 32bit SIMM in the Laserjet 4+.

 

[Paperdoc]

VERY useful note to find! Go for it!