I would like a recommendation on an inkjet pinter that will allow me to print 11x17 PDF files. Also a recommendation on a good PDF viewer. I have Fox-it but it keeps trying to refocus and is annoying. Adobe is OK, but limited. I know I’ve read postings about these issues over the years - but would like the latest information.
Recommendation on printer, not me, sorry. Although, I can recommend a pdf software for not only viewing but full editing as well (can do same as adobe but less $$) for around $100 dollars (well when I bought it last year it was 100 bucks before taxes). The name is ScanSoft PDF Professional.
If all you need is a pdf viewer, is there a problem with the [free] Adobe Acrobat Reader? If you need to create or manipulate pdfs, you might try PDF995; it’s available in a fully-functional free version (you just have to watch its sales pitch each time you use it, which goes away when you subscribe, for a very reasonable cost).
Can’t help you on the inkjet; we use an HP LaserJet 5200tn for both letter size and 11x17. Like its 8100 series predecessor, it works great. Only “problem” with the 5200tn: Its letter-size paper tray only takes about half a package of paper at a time, not a full package (not much of a problem…).
Our corporate IT department has distributed PDF995 to our 50,000 desktops. It is a pretty versatile free program, but if you want to stop the adverts, you must pay a small fee, something less than $10. http://www.pdf995.com/
P. S. – I use WordPerfect, and Adobe Acrobat (full professional version) chokes (and won’t work) on “WordPerfect Characters” – iconic and typographic symbols, like the shadowed checkboxes I use in my checklists. PDF995 takes those in stride. (I suspect Corel and Adobe couldn’t come to terms on licensing fees.) I can live with PDF995’s sales pitch, but If I didn’t already have Adobe Acrobat, I’d probably buy PDF995…
Before buying the 11x17 printer, check what size drawings you typically use. If they are 22x34 you are fine, but if you are using 24x36 drawings, then you may want a 12x18 printer for true half scale prints. We have had a reliable HP one in our office for many years, cost was about $500 iirc.
I’m using a HP Deskjet 9800. I’ve had it for about 2 years so far and it seems to be a pretty good workhorse. I use it for the bulk of my printing in letter and tabloid (11 x 17) size.
I use it for all of my drawing printing from PDF. My clients send me their drawings full size and I reduce them down to fit the margins for a full sheet or can highlight specific details to get a larger print (NTS) of a detail needed to understand what is going on.
I also use it to print posters in small quanities for my choral group, so the quality is pretty good.
We use Bluebeam PDF software and it’s amazingly powerfull. It’s overkill for just a reader, but for document creation & annotation, few are better.
Any HP 5000 series printers will be a long lasting workhorse.
If you need a 12 x 18 printer (not a common size, as far as I know), you may want to consider 13" x 19" printers, a relatively common size for “photo” inkjet printers. You can probably find several models made by Epson, HP and Canon. High resolution photo printing would be a bonus… There are probably a lot of used ones availaible on the internet, as well; look for a current or recent lightly-used model, with separate cartidges for each color (at least for black).
Thanks to Bob and Richard. I will try the product. Being and independent spec consultant working our of my home office I like to hear about others and their experiences with software add-ons. The reason for the printer question is that architects will only send PDF files when they want proposals. I insist on drawings if they sign a contract. Marshall, I will keep that size in mind.