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IBM 6400 Line Matrix Printers Get Faster, Smarter by Alex Woodie IBM rounded outs its 6400 family of line matrix printers last week with the introduction of two new top-of-the-line models, the i2s and the i24. The two new printers are faster than the previous standard-bearer in the 6400 family, the Model i15, and bring new features to IBM's Printer Management Utility for the 6400, including the capability to send an e-mail alert when certain events occur, such as a ribbon that needs changing. 
The 6400 line of printers are back-office workhorses used by manufacturers, distributors, shippers, and retailers that need to print large volumes of continuous forms. The printers connect to a range of IBM and non-IBM computers, ranging from PCs and Unix boxes to S/390 mainframes and AS/400 servers, via Ethernet, Telnet, ASCI, coax, or twinax connections. Because of its flexibility and efficiency, IBM is positioning its 6400 line of matrix printers as good replacements for older band-printer technologies. The 6400 line previously topped out at a speed of 1,500 lines per minute in fast draft mode on the IBM 6400 Model i15. The new Model i2s, which was announced earlier this year but ships later this week, prints the same quality as the Model i15, but at 2,000 LPM, in fast draft mode, is 33 percent faster than the i15. The dual hammerbank i24--a special purpose model designed for high-volume text report printing--goes even farther, nearly doubling the Model i15's top draft mode speed, by printing at 2,400 lines per minute, at a quality of six lines per inch. The i2s and i24, like other members of IBM's 6400 and 4400 printer lines, can be managed using IBM's Printer Management Utility, a Windows program that simplifies managing multiple printers. When the i2s and i24 printers are connected to a host computer via Ethernet, the Printer Management Utility will send an e-mail alerting the appropriate individual to various printer situations, such as when its ribbon runs low. In that situation, the user would then install a new "clean hands" ribbon, an IBM design that includes 5 feet of non-inked leader on the end of the ribbon to keep ink off the installer's hands. As with other 6400 models, there is an optional Power Stacker available with the i2s and i24. This attachment installs within the printer cabinet (some 6400-line printers come with an open pedestal design) and raises or lowers the stacks of forms, based on the height of the paper detected from two infrared beams, so the paper loads more easily into the printer. The Power Stacker also features a pull-out tray to catch printed forms, so they don't land on the floor. When a Power Stacker is installed on these printers, you cannot use the 10/100BaseT Ethernet card with a coax or twinax adapter, limiting its use in iSeries and zSeries environments, a restriction that does not exist on other IBM 6400 printers. With the greater print speed offered by the Model i2s and i24 printers, IBM says its 6400 line is well positioned to replace older band printers, such as the IBM Model 4245 and 6262 printers. The Model 6400 line offers many advantages over band printers, including lower cost, high reliability, greater ease of use, lower power consumption, and no need to change bands for different font styles. However, IBM cautions that, depending on the application, the 6400-line may not be a suitable replacement for the typewriter-like quality offered by band printers, and users should give careful consideration before replacing their band printer with a Model 6400. In iSeries environments, the i2s and i24 are supported by OS/400 V4R5 or later, PC Support/400 Version 2.3 PersonalCommunications for AS/400 for Windows Version 4.0, and Client Access/400 Version 3.1. The Model i2s costs $14,999, and the Model i24 costs $16,499. The printers begin shipping Friday. For more information on the IBM 6400 line of printers, go to www.ibm.com/printers/6400.
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