Transcript
Zebra®G-Series Desktop Printers Frequently Asked Questions June 2011
Specific to Enhanced G-series (R2.0) configurations from June 2011.
Questions & Answers
Zebra G-Series (R1.0) vs. G-Series (R2.0) What is the difference between G-series (R1.0) and Enhanced G-Series (R2.0) configurations? G-Series (R1.0) configurations were available from mid-2008. Enhanced G-Series (R2.0) configurations where available from June 2011. Enhanced G-Series (R2.0) configurations offer: Triple communication on GK and GX models. (R1.0) configurations only offered dual connectivity on GK models. Centronics parallel port. (R1.0) configuration offered DB-25 parallel interface. Auto-sensing Serial port – will adapt to suit either straight or null-modem cable configurations to provide support for legacy and current instillations. (R1.0) configurations offered null-modem (crossed) configuration. Energy Star – compliant power supply to efficiency level V How can I determine the vintage of each G-series version? The digit at the eighth position of the part number indicates the version. For G-Series (R1.0) configurations will be a “0” in the eight position for example: GK42-200120-000 GX42-100321-000 For Enhanced G-Series (R2.0) configuration there will be a “2” in the eight position, for example: GK42-202520-000 GX42-102521-000 New Enhanced G-Series (R2.0) configurations will also have additional product marking on the outer box labels. The out box labelling will also include a large black circle. How does the G-series differ from my legacy 4-inch 2800/3800-series printer? Mechanically the printer is similar. It provides a dual-walled, robust construction; however, the OpenAccess design has been improved upon to provide a more compact, easier media and ribbon loading system. Electronically, the printer is very different. A whole new electronics platform provides a wealth of features, including quicker processing, faster print speeds, dual resident programming languages and wireless communication. The G-series (R2.0) is backwards compatible with the 2800/3800 series and will integrate seamlessly into these legacy installations.
G-Series Technology Can the thermal transfer units operate in direct thermal mode? Yes. The GK420t, GX420t and GX430t can operate either with or without a ribbon to achieve both direct and thermal transfer modes of operation. Are the G-Series printers Windows compatible? Yes. All G-Series printers include a Windows driver. This driver will allow the printer to be used in conjunction with popular Windows applications. The Windows driver will enable the user to design labels in their applications of choice for output directly to the printer. Certified ZebraDesigner drivers are available to download from our web site at www.zebra.com. Are the G-series printers compatible with other Zebra printers? Yes. The G-Series printers have dual resident command language. The co-existent EPL and ZPL allows for seamlessly integration into legacy and current installations. You can swap your older Eltron desktop printers or add to existing applications, including ZPL based mobile, mid-range and high end instillations. Can the G-Series printers replace legacy Eltron desktops printers? Yes. The G-series resident EPL Line Mode and EPL2 means that older Eltron desktop application’s code and media handling can be supported. Specific to Enhanced G-series revision 2.0 configurations from May 2011.
Questions & Answers
What are the main differences between a GK420 and a GX420? The GX printer offers faster print speeds, extended memory, real time clock, moveable sensor and cutter options, plus wireless interface options. When should I direct the customer to buy GX in place of GK? Many legacy applications can be fulfilled with the appropriate direct thermal or thermal transfer GK printer, but new applications or situations of business improvement might require such features as moveable sensor, cutter, 300dpi resolution or a wireless solution, so this would see a GX printer as the preferred option. What connectivity options are available? G-Series printers come as standard with serial, parallel and USB. An internal 10/100 Ethernet option is available on both the GK and GX models. Ethernet configurations on GK models replace the parallel and serial interface ports. These configurations offer USB and 10/100 Ethernet. Ethernet configurations on GX models replace the parallel port. These configuration offer serial, USB and 10/100 Ethernet. 802.11b/g wireless radio with LCD display offered in combination with USB and serial interfaces (replaces parallel port) – GX-models only. Bluetooth with LCD display offered in combination with USB and serial interfaces (replaces parallel port) – GX-models only. Do the 2844 and G-series have the same serial port parameters? Yes. Revision 2.0 configurations have an auto-sensing serial port that will work with both straight and null-modem cables. Note. G-series revision 1.0 configurations use a null-modem serial cable. The specific serial cable has a part number of G105950-054 or alternatively uses the USB that ships with the printer. Do the G-Series and 2800/3800-Series have the same parallel port configuration? Yes. Revision 2.0 configurations offer a Centronics parallel port. Note. G-series revision 1.0 configurations utilised a DB-25 configuration. The specific parallel cable has a part number of 105950-025 or alternatively, uses the USB that ships with the printer. Can I upgrade a GK420 to a GX420 by simply installing firmware? No. The two products have completely different main logic boards. I need support of EPL Line Mode. Does the G-series support this? Yes. Direct Thermal G-series; GK420d and GX420d, support the legacy Line Mode of operation. I need support of EPL2, which G-series models have this? All G-series printer have dual resident languages. The co-existing EPL2 and ZPLII mean that any Gseries printer will understand and process either programming language. Can I get both 10/100 and Bluetooth on the same printer? No. Wired and wireless connectivity options are not available on the same unit. What printers does the OPOS driver support? The current mobile, desktop and mid-range printers that use the ZPL programming language are supported for integration into the existing Windows based point-of-sale application. Do the printers have OPOS drivers available? Yes. A UPOS compliant driver based upon the UPOS v1.11 specification with support for both .net v1.1 and Active-X are available. The drivers and associated programming guide can be downloaded from the utilities section of our web site at www.zebra.com. Is the G-series available in a 2-inch version? Essentially yes. While the G-series is a 4-inch desktop printer much of its functionality can be found in a smaller form factor. The 2824 Plus 2-inch desktop printer offers customers with comparable handling and control in a smaller footprint. Specific to Enhanced G-series revision 2.0 configurations from May 2011.
Questions & Answers
What ships with a G-series printer? The printer’s ship kit contains an Accessories CD, USB cable, Cleaning Pen, pictorial Quick Start guide, plus warranty and registration cards. The contents of the CD also include: User Manuals Spare Parts list EPL2 and ZPLII programming manuals ZebraNet operators manual ZebraDesigner Printer Drivers ZebraNetBridge utility ZebraDesigner label design application
Options and Accessories My customer likes the size of GX420d. Can we get 300dpi resolution in this size? No. The 300dpi option is available in a thermal transfer form factor only. Can the G-Series printers support Asian fonts? Yes. The GX printers with extended memory options printers have various font packs available to them, including Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. Please refer to the printer price list. Alternatively, the printers Unicode capabilities can be utilised for true global character printing. How much memory is standard on the G-Series printers? The G-series printers have 8MB SDRAM and 4MB Flash as standard. The GX printers have an optional 64MB Flash upgrade and Real Time Clock expansion that is available at the time of order. What options and accessories are available for the G-series? For a complete list of available G-series options and accessories, please consult the G-Series price list. What is the moveable sensor? The optional moveable sensor on the GX models provides a reflective sensor that can be positioned anyway along the media width to detect a black mark, die-cut or notch registration mark. It also includes multiple position transmissive sensor to cater for media with centralised through to offset registration mark. Will the Zebra Keyboard Display Unit (KDU) work with the G-Series? Yes. The Enhanced G-Series (R2.0) configurations of G-series have an adaptive, auto-sensing serial port that mean that both the KDU and KDU Plus can be supported without modification. Note. G-series revision 1.0 configurations will require a specific adapter to support the legacy keyboard. The part number is 105850-026; however, the KDU Plus can be supported without modification. Is the 10/100 Ethernet option field upgradeable? No. The internal 10/100 ZebraNet print server is not a field upgradeable options. This configuration must be chosen at the time of purchase. Can I use my older external ZebraNet 10Base-T print server on the G-series? Yes. The Centronics parallel port enabled G-series (R2.0) printers will support both the 10Base-T and 10/100 external Print Servers
Media and Supplies I would like to upgrade from my older 2800-Series. Will my labels be okay for use?
Specific to Enhanced G-series revision 2.0 configurations from May 2011.
Questions & Answers
Yes. The media handling of the G-Series will support your older media roll. It is however, recommended that you verify the print position as being correct and make any adjustments as necessary. Can I use my 27-series ribbons on the thermal transfer G-series? No. A specific G-series ribbon must be used. This will have notches on the ribbon core for correct instillation and location, plus a reflective trailer for ribbon out detection. Please refer to the supplies guide. I would like to upgrade from my old 2742. Will I need different labels? No. The adjustable media sensor option on the GX printers can be positioned to accommodate any media with a centralised registration mark.
Software Solutions Where can I get a copy of the Zebra Setup Utilities? As with all our driver, label design application and utilities, copies are available to download from our Drivers & Downloads section of Zebra.com. Are the drivers certified? Yes, the ZebraDesigner drivers have passed Microsoft Certification. What is Zebra Setup Utilities? Zebra Setup Utilities is a Windows® utility that enables you to quickly and easily setup and configure your Zebra printer. Packaged with the latest Microsoft® certified Zebra Windows drivers, the utility offers the following features: Printer Settings Wizard – Step through this wizard and configure basic and advanced printer settings, including label size, media type, hardware options and more. Print Quality Wizard – Step through this wizard to select a print speed and darkness setting that best suits your media. Make the selection from a range of printed labels. Alternatively, manually select a print speed and darkness setting. Connectivity Wizard – Step through this wizard to configure Wired and Wireless Ethernet or Bluetooth settings. Fonts and Graphics Downloader – Convert fonts and graphics and download them to the printer. Printer Tools – A window containing many common functions to control the printer, such as loading factory defaults, list stored objects, download files and many more. Direct Communication Window – Open and edit multiple files and send them to the printer, or view data returned by the printer. Which printers and printer languages are supported? The Zebra Setup Utilities supports Zebra desktop, mid-range and high-end printers. It supports both the ZPL and EPL printer languages. Which operating systems are supported? Both the Zebra Setup Utilities and the ZebraDesigner drivers are compatible with 32 bit and 64 bit Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 2008.
Specific to Enhanced G-series revision 2.0 configurations from May 2011.
