Memory allocation on PostScript LaserWriters varies greatly depending on many factors such as allowable paper sizes, standard amount of RAM, PhotoGrade/Fineprint capability, DPI, and so on. There are a few articles in the Tech Info Library that go into some discussion about how memory is handled for some printers. Here's a list of the ones we found:
"LaserWriter Pro 630: How Memory is Allocated"
"LaserWriter Pro 810: How Memory is Allocated"
"LaserWriter IINTX: Calculating Font Caching RAM"
"LaserWriter IINT and IINTX: How Its 2MB RAM Is Allocated"
"PostScript LaserWriter and Font RAM Availability"
"LaserWriter IINTX: RAM Allocation"
You could use these articles as "guidelines" in determining how RAM is allocated. Here are some excerpts from the articles, including some general information on how memory is handled in our Postscript LaserWriters:
* The MAJORITY of RAM in a PostScript LaserWriter is allocated for the page buffer (the area where the actual page is rendered before being printed).
* Page sizes and dpi values supported by the printer greatly determine the page buffer size. For example, to print a tabloid sized page at 800 dpi on a LaserWriter Pro 810 requires 14.1 MB of RAM for the page buffer alone. Thus, a LaserWriter Pro 810 with 16MB of RAM will only have approximately 1.9MB left for the PostScript interpreter, dictionaries, fonts, font caching, and so on.
* You can determine the amount of available VM by downloading the following PostScript code:
/Helvetica findfont 12 scalefont setfont
72 720 moveto
(Available VM: ) show
vmstatus exch sub 10 string cvs show
showpage
CAUTION:
If you choose to use the PostScript code provided in this article, you assume all risks involved in making these changes. PostScript code, if not entered correctly, can place the LaserWriter into a condition requiring service.
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