UPGRADING REPAIRING PCs

Printers 195
Table 7.5 lists major printer models that support various versions of
PCL. It is not exhaustive; check your printer’s manual for details
about its PCL version and features.
Table 7.5
Versions
Hewlett-Packard Printer Control Language (PCL)
Version Date Models Benefits
PCL 3 1984 LaserJet
LaserJet Plus
Full page formatting; vector graphics.
PCL 4 1985 LaserJet Series II Added typefaces; downloadable macros;
LaserJet IIP series support for larger bitmapped fonts and
graphics.
PCL 5 1990 LaserJet III, IIID, Scalable typefaces; outline fonts;
IIIP, IIIsi HP-GL/2 (vector) graphics; font scaling.
PCL 5e 1992 LaserJet 4, 4M, 4L, 600dpi support; bidirectional
4ML, 4P, 4MP, communication between
4 Plus, 4M Plus, printer and PC; additional
5P, 5MP, 5L,
5L-FS, 5Lxtra, 6L,
6Lxi, 6Lse, 6P, 6MP,
6Psi, 6Pse
fonts for Microsoft Windows.
PCL 5c 1994 Color LaserJet
Color LaserJet 5, 5M
Color extensions
PCL 6 1996 LaserJet 4000 Faster graphics printing and return to
LaserJet 2100 application; better WYSIWYG printing;
faster graphics printing; less network traffic;
better document fidelity and full backwardcompatibility
with PCL 5 and earlier versions;
uses object-oriented printer
commands.
PCL 6 requires a Windows 9x/NT/3.1
printer driver; non-Windows operating systems
can use a PCL 6 printer as a PCL 5e
printer.
Comparing Host-Based to PDL-Based Printers
Most printers use a page description language (PDL). PDL-based
printers receive commands from applications or the operating system
that describe the page to the printer, which then renders it
before printing. More and more low-cost printers are using a hostbased
printing system in which the computer renders the page
instead of the printer.
Use Table 7.6 to determine which type of printer is suitable for
your users.