topic Re: Which Plotter for Mac OSX?? in Documentation

Which Plotter for Mac OSX??

Anonymous — Fri, 19 May 2023 20:26:38 GMT

Hello,

I know this has been asked before, but as I have searched through, I can't find a consenus. Here's my situation:

I am running AC9 on a G5 Mac (dual 2.0gHz) and need a 24" plotting solution, instead of the PDF option which has worked fine, but I really want a "set it and forget it" solution plotting from PM. Can those Mac users weigh in on a reliable solution?

Thanks!

+pablo

Re: Which Plotter for Mac OSX??

Thomas Holm — Tue, 04 Jan 2005 22:24:26 GMT

For plotting/printing from the Mac, Postscript in the plotter used to be a requirement for good quality output. Not so anymore with OSX. HP has good hardware. Find the option that fits your capacity requirement, (starting with the 130 series) and test it before buying. Bring an OSX machine with Archicad/PM installed to your dealer, if necessary, and test.

Re: Which Plotter for Mac OSX??

TomWaltz — Tue, 04 Jan 2005 22:32:34 GMT

We're using the Kip Starprint 2000 and 8000.

They took a little setup, but have worked well since. The 2000 jams if you change paper rolls a lot (we have 3 different paper sizes in ours). The 8000 absolutely screams, printing 22 Arch D sheets per minute, but it's a but pricey.

Re: Which Plotter for Mac OSX??

Rick Thompson — Wed, 05 Jan 2005 16:40:14 GMT

Depending on how much you want to spend... I am very happy with an Oce 9300. That models gone, but I would assume the new version would be even better. It is very fast (it's laser plotter), never jambs, "cheapish" to run, no warm up (huge) and great prints. I run about 20,000 feet per year and never think about it.

Re: Which Plotter for Mac OSX??

Stress Co_ — Fri, 07 Jan 2005 04:51:20 GMT

Find the option that fits your capacity requirement, (starting with the 130 series) and test it before buying.

Don't by an HP 130 if you plan on printing to Vellum or T-bond. This printer uses pigmented ink and so ...these are "unsupported" media.

Marc

Re: Which Plotter for Mac OSX??

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Jan 2005 16:58:34 GMT

We used both an HP750C (older) and an HP1055CM+ (newer) across our network with no serious complaints. Try different bond papers until you find one that you like the results on.

Re: Which Plotter for Mac OSX??

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Jan 2005 21:19:41 GMT

We have 3 G5 machines all 2.0 and higher and one XP machine. We bought a HP Designjet 800 PS and have spent three days trying to get the macs to print without error from our Macs. We are using Archicad 8.1. When it does print...It looks great and seems to be an easy machine to deal with. We have had tech people from Graphisoft and HP trying to help us and we are still without reliable printing capabilities. So...Maybe I would look for a different machine. Or at least be prepared for a bit of work in the setup process.

Good luck,

Re: Which Plotter for Mac OSX??

Rick Thompson — Tue, 11 Jan 2005 21:40:10 GMT

rhewer wrote:
When it does print...It looks great and seems to be an easy machine to deal with. We have had tech people from Graphisoft and HP trying to help us and we are still without reliable printing capabilities. .

Good luck,

For what it is worth... plotting on the Mac via the plot command, or via Publisher, has not worked right in a long time, even on AC9. However, it works great if you use Plotflow. For whatever reason that has been the only reliable way to plot with a Mac in my experience. Plotflow is a much better route in my opinion for many reasons. I have reported this as a bug several times, but for me Plotflow remains the method of choice, and actually a very good one.

Re: Which Plotter for Mac OSX??

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Jan 2005 18:26:29 GMT

i just got an HP designjet110 plus nr. it has 24" roll feed. usb connection. works great so far. $1,523.prints fine to bond and vellum

donald mac donald

mac G-5, V-9

Re: Which Plotter for Mac OSX??

Anonymous — Sun, 13 Mar 2005 20:12:31 GMT

Pablo,

We have 5 Dual 2.x G5's and an HP Designjet 800ps 42" model. The plotter is awsome and once we worked out the bugs it seems to be fine. Just make sure you update all the drivers and firmware. Should only have to do that once. We plot all the time now and have had great results.

Rob

Re: Which Plotter for Mac OSX??

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Apr 2005 14:04:01 GMT

Just an update..

Bought a HP DesignJet 130nr on eBay for $1200 bucks.. works fine for me Thanks for all your suggestions.

+pablo