#NEC890 with Mac
9 messages in this thread
Thanks for your reply. I'm under the impression that the Apple LaserWriter is
about $5000. Can you tell me where I might find the $3500 price range?
Dennis,
I bought my LW II NT at Priority One in Irvine, CA for $3500. I was actually on
my way to another dealer where I was going to buy the 890 for $3600. I didn't
even mean to bring it up as I thought Apple prices were high and rather rigid,
but happened to mention the 890 to the Priority One salesman. Without batting
an eye he said thirty five hundred and I bought it on the spot. I do think it
is a better machine than the 890 due to the density of the blacks. I do however
wish that it had a parallel port as serial transmission is slow and the 890
beats it there. Since you are going to be driving the printer from a Mac (I
think that's what you said), the Apple talk connection will improve that
situation.
Rich
Rich –
I have not been that impressed with the AppleTalk speed of the LC-890 and tend
to group it within the family of serial-connected devices. Also, apparently, to
avoid certain legal/cost factors, NEC uses a DB-9 connector rather than the
DIN-8 for AppleTalk. I didn't think I would have any problem getting a DB-9 to
DB-9 connector in the Wash DC area (I have a 512E cranked up to 2M), but ended
up having to make my own. What that meant was a loss of 5 hours – once getting
the LC-890 home I couldn't use it right away (it takes time to search through
the hard drive for that seeminly insignificant download of pin configurations
made a year ago).
Oliver
Oliver,
That's interesting. I thought that the Apple Talk speed was much better than
9600 bps. I am only using serial transmission (Amiga and PC) and thought I was
losing something in the speed race compared to Mac to LW transmission.
The DB-9 connector is a much better connector re the physical design and
durability.
Rich
Hi, I am puzzled as to why you had to build your own cable. I have a Mac+ and
NEC LC-890 and like you, I needed a DB-9 cable which I got from a local Apple
dealer. The cable has a DB-9 connector on one end and an Appletalk "box" on the
other which is standard for connection to Apple's LaserWriter. I, of course,
needed a DIN-8 – AppleTalk "box" for the Mac and cable to connect the two
"boxes" which I got from the dealer. Each kit came with cable, cable
extender/splice and the connection box-cable-connector. My kits are Computalk
made by Advanced Electronic Support Products, Inc., but Apple's are the same.
Another option is to use Farallon's PhoneNet kits which use standard phone
wire. So, NEC used DB-9 so that it would be capatible with standard AppleTalk
kits. Where did you check in Washington? Apple dealers? If so, wasn't the
dealer familiar with AppleTalk (LocalTalk)? If not, I'd find another dealer.
BTW, if you don't like AppleTalk speed TOPS has a new product that speeds up
AppleTalk by a factor of 2 or 3 (don't remember). I am not sure what it is
called, but it may be FlashCard. I saw an ad in the last issue of INFOWORLD.
It is being touted as an alternative to ETHERNET which is far more expensive.
If you are familiar with INFOWORLD check the ad or call MacConnection at
800-622-5472 to mention one source. Hope this helps.
Jay J.
Thanks for the referral to Priority One. The office I'm buying the unit for is
in Orange County.
Dennis,
Small world! I looked in my receipts to see if I could find the salesman's name
who sold me the LaserWriter, but I can't find it.
Good luck.
Rich
The list price of the Apple LaserWriter IINT was $4600, and that of the IINTX
was $6600, unless they went up in the last round of price hikes. You should be
able to find reasonable discounts from list on the Apple printers.
Thanks for the information. I'm checking prices at Priority One (a large
outlet in Southern California) recommended by Dr. Rose.