Apple IIgs - Manual (Page 38)

Page 38 of 84 II gs
Printed: Thursday, July 25, 2002 12:14:50 PM
you have used the Control Panel to designate your RAM disk as your startup disk drive, it is
drive 1 in slot 5. If a 3.5-inch drive is designated as your startup drive, the RAM disk is
drive 2 in slot 5.
Choosing Peripheral Devices
Here are some things to think about when you're evaluating any peripheral device:
Does it work automatically with the Apple IIgs and your application? It doesn't matter how many
fancy features a printer or modem has if you can't get it to work with your computer.
Does it have all the features you want not just the features you need today, but the features
you'll want down the road? You should buy hardware the way you buy clothes for kids with room
to grow.
How much does it cost? You should do some comparison shopping, but don't trade away
compatibility with your software or the features you need just to get a bargain.
What kind of service and support come with the hardware? Is there an adequate warranty period?
Can you get inexpensive service coverage?
Printers
A printer produces a paper copy of documents you create with your computer. Some are designed
exclusively for printing text; others are especially good for illustrations and can even print
in color. Decide what's important to you and look for a printer that meets your needs.
The single most important consideration in choosing a printer is compatibility with your
software. You want to be able to choose the Print command from the menu without worrying about
whether your printer will know how to interpret the bits that come streaming out the printer
port and down the cable. Most applications designed for the Apple II work automatically with
the ImageWriter, the ImageWriter II, and printers advertised as being compatible with the
ImageWriter.
Graphics-based applications, and some word processing programs are graphics-based, usually
require a dot matrix printer. Make sure you get a printer that works with your applications.
The second most important consideration is print quality. Do you need text that looks as if it
came from a typesetter, or is it OK if you can see the little dots that make up each character?
In general, you'll get the most professional quality from a daisy wheel printer. But not
everyone needs professional quality, and other types of printers are cheaper and can do more
things—like graphics.
The most common types of printers are dot matrix, daisy wheel, and thermal transfer printers.
Desktop publishing: If you need typeset-quality printing, a fourth option is a laser printer,
like the Apple LaserWriter. Laser printers are more expensive than other types, but for
professional-quality printing, they are fast and save you the cost of having your work typeset.
Dot Matrix Printers
Dot matrix printers form characters with patterns of dots. They're fast, economical, ideal for
graphics, and fine for drafts, memos, and personal letters. Because of the way they form
characters, dot matrix printers can produce a wide variety of type sizes and type styles
(boldface, italic, and so on) so you can create headlines and other special effects. You can
even get dot matrix printers that print in color.