Fujitsu VM4-WIN

The Fujitsu VM4-Win is ideal for the Windows user, producing sharp and clear printouts at a standard resolution of 300 x 300 dpi, which is optimised by Fujitsu Enhanced Imaging Technology (FEIT) to produce 300 x 900 dpi at an engine speed of 4 pages per minute.

Being a Windows GDI device means that all all printouts will appear as shown on screen without the requirement for large amounts of printer memory.

Separately exchangeable toner cartridge and print unit and low energy consumption in standby and sleep mode provide economic and environmentally friendly operation.

GDI Printing

Printing from Windows can be a slow process, because the document must be translated from its Windows format into the language in which it must be printed (eg, PCL or PostScript). This format, complete with information on the resolution, typeface and paper size, is then transmitted to the printer, which interprets the instructions. The printer's language then converts the data into a 'raster' (or bitmapped) image. The raster image is then printed out.

To overcome the delay in printing from Windows, manufacturers have been researching a new technology known as Graphical Device Interface. GDI sits in your PC and does all the processing and translating required when printing a document from Windows. So instead of having to undergo two stages of translation, the data is translated once, in Windows. The image is then sent from the computer to the printer in a bitmapped format, ready for printing. The printer effectively becomes a box with an engine. The idea is to use the full power of the PC. Theoretically no buffer memory is required because the bitmapped image is sent to the printer in synch with the paper feed speed - thus using the paper as the storage medium which is where we wanted the data anyway !

Advantages of GDI

From the user's point of view, there are several benefits to GDI technology. One is that it has resulted in cheaper printers~ simply because there is less hardware - in theory, you need no emulations or resident fonts. This ability to produce a relativlity inexpensive laser printer should make laser printing accessible to those who would normally opt for an inkjet because of the cost.

Another major benefit of GDI printing is the fast running speed and first page printout. This increased speed is due to the nature of the translation process (see above) and of course the greater the power of the PC driving the printer; the more the benefit. The engine prints as it receives the raster data, and at least for the moment, the PC processes far faster than the printer can run. in addition to the advantages of speed, it is possible to have true WYSIWG (What You See is What You Get) printing because the size and style of fonts is dictated by Windows typefaces rather than the printer's resident typefaces.

There are some limitations to the GDI method of printing, mainly that such a printer can not be shared either via network sharing or the older printer switch box sharer due to the lack of bi-directional data flow when using such methods.

Installation

Preparing the Print Unit & Toner cartridge

This printer operates as a Windows GDI printer, this requires that is operated with the supplied Windows driver.

Please note that the interface is bi-directional this means that this printer cannot be used with printer sharing devices or as a shared network printer.

Specifications

Technology                                           LED

Resolution             Standard          DPI         300 x 300

                       Enhanced          DPI         300 x 900

Processor                                            Fujitsu

Print Speed            PPM               Pages /     4                                        
                                         Minute

Emulation              Standard                      Windows GDI

Resident Fonts         Bitmap                        Any Windows installed TrueType font

                       Scaleable

                       Option

Slots                                                1 (Simm)

Paper Capacity         Bin 1             Sheets      100

                       Bin 2             Sheets

                       Output            Sheets      50

Paper Weight           Auto              gsm         64-90

                       Manual            gsm         64 - 105

Memory                                   Standard    -

                                         Option      1/2 mb

Set Up

Interfaces                               Standard    Bi-directional Centronics

                                         Option

Weight                                   Kg          7.2

Noise                  Standby/Sleep     dB (A)      ? / 0

                       Printing          dB (A)      48

Power                  Standby/Sleep     watts       25 / 10

                       Printing          watts       400

Dimensions             Height            mm          130

                       Width             mm          345

                       Depth             mm          387

Consumable Life        Toner             pages       1600

                       Drum              pages       10,000

MTBF                                     hours       4000

Print Volume                             pages/      3,000                                    
                                         month

Part Numbers & Options

Print Unit                (10,000 pages)        CA02417-C923

Toner Kit                 ( 2 x 1600 pages)     CA20147-C903

Fuser Unit                ( 60,000 pages)       CA02417-C943

1mb Ram upgrade                                 CA02417-C851

2mb Ram upgrade                                 CA02417-C852

Paper cassette            (A4)                  CA02417-C710

Paper cassette            (Letter)              CA02417-C711

Switch & Jumper Settings

There are no switches or jumpers on the VM4-Win.

All configuration is controlled from the supplied Windows driver.