LaserJet 5M Max RAM

[lastmile77]

I've got a LaserJet 5M (the "Mac version") with all the options except for the stupid IR receiver. I just got a free pile of 32MB 72-pin SIMMS. I thought they were 16MB and tonight I figured I'd upgrade the LaserJet RAM to its max. There are 4 SIMM slots but the 5M has a PostScript SIMM so that leaves only 3. The max is supposed to be 52 MB. I think this breaks down to 4MB onboard + 3x 16MB SIMMS. Well according to the test page printout I now have 100MB . If 64 MBs worked (don't think I have any) it could be bumped up to 192 MB.

Is there anyway I can test to see if it really utilizes all of it? Find a huge file and time printing with different amounts of RAM?

Have PostScript fonts been largely replaced by TrueType ones? It took some reading before I understood the idea of the font simms that are available for this printer.

 

[register]

The memory maxing out of a printer like this is only useful when you plan to frequently use a lot of different fonts. The memory requirements even for high resolution printing is not that much in greyscale. Having stored the fonts in the printer reduces the overhead of tranferring the fonts needed for each single print job, which slows down printing especially when the printer is connected via LocalTalk. With an ethernet connection you will hardly notice the difference. Keep in mind, that you will have to upload the extra fonts to the printer using a Printer Utility software each time you restart* the printer, as the SIMMs are volatile memory. In case the 5M has got a harddisk drive (like some Apple LaserWriters), you might better use this to store your font collection.

*I would not recommend to have a Printer of this age on standby over night, because of the unnecessary power consumption.

 

[lastmile77]

Oh yeah, it stays off unless I need it, to save power. Thanks for the info.