The data sheets look almost identical, but HP e3000 customers can hope for some changes in the new LineJet line printers, formerly known as the LP Series. HP announced pricing on the printers at $ 5,995 for the 500P, $8,265 for the 500Q (adds a quietized cabinet), $10,595 for the 1000Q (steps up to 1,000 lines per minute), $14,350 for the 1500Q (goes up to 1,500 lpm) and a 1500Q with a power stacker for $17,995. They’re available Feb. 17. e3000 customers are hoping the new models (which have a D on the end of otherwise identical HP part numbers for the LPs) have new firmware inside, something more compatible with MPE/iX (details in our Briefs item on LPR).

Most of the newer models have one significant difference: they come standard with the new LineJet Print Server (an internal Ethernet card with a built-in printer home page) and the new LineJet Printer Manager (a Java application that uses the Print Server to troubleshoot LineJets, configure them and monitor their status through user-defined criteria). The Print Server has MIB II network support for SNMP software. HP said in its data sheet that the Print Server-Print Manager combination could be set up with Internet Service Providers to let managers get e-mail notice of printer warnings and problems. The e3000 division is the home of these LineJet products, but they work with Unix and Windows NT systems, too.