LaserWriter 8.x: Compatible With Level 1 PS

We have a Quadra 800 running system 7.5.1 with LaserWriter driver 8.2.2. When we print to an original LaserWriter, we get frequent PostScript errors. Prints fine from LaserWriter Driver 7.2

A related article "LW Driver 8.1.1: PostScript Errors with Bitmapped Fonts" says that there are problems printing from the LaserWriter 8 driver to the original LaserWriter due to shortage of RAM. It sees to indicate that this problem is specific to the original LaserWriter. I've heard that Apple does not recommend using the LaserWriter 8 driver with any PostScript Level 1 printer because they are not fully supported, and the customers with level 1 printers should use the 7.2 driver. Is this true? It seems to me that LaserWriter 8 should work as long as the printer has sufficient RAM (such as a LaserWriter IINTX or Personal LaserWriter NT with 4+ MB of RAM).
You are correct that using LaserWriter 8.x with PostScript Level 1 printers should work just fine. This is because LaserWriter 8 queries the printer at the beginning of the print job to determine if it is a PostScript Level 1 or Level 2 printer. LaserWriter 8.x is able to generate PostScript Level 1 code if it finds it is speaking to a PostScript Level 1 printer.

We are not aware of any performance tests that compare printing to a Level 1 printer from LaserWriter 7.2 and LaserWriter 8.x. Our suggestion would be to use the print driver that is more compatible with version of system software running (for example, LaserWriter 8 with systems 7.5). If you run into trouble with this, then you can try using LaserWriter 7.2 to see if it helps.

In using LaserWriter 8.x with the original LaserWriter printers, here are some suggestions that might help in printing:

- Try using ONLY the fonts available in the LaserWriter's ROM; not TrueType or Type 1.

- Enable "Unlimited Downloadable Fonts" in the options dialog of Page Setup.
Published Date: Feb 19, 2012