Network printing speed

Can't post to HP NG today, so I'll try here:
Small 2000 network, no print server, printing ACAD14 to HP800 on share over
network (network IP connection to plotter with share rather than Centronic).
Users swore direct printing to plotter was too slow. They still complain
that it's not as fast as it used to be, but can't identify when it changed.
My hunch is it's because they're using ACAD 14 rather than 2000, which they
refuse to learn. I told them that 14 is not supported on W2000. Any advice
on how to improve performance?

 

While that idea has some merit, it involves extra work and learning for
users (resistant), unless it's completely transparent, including deleting
the files afterward) Personally, I think that the perceived slowness is due
to old PCs running at capacity (dual P2, 400Mhz, 512M), and nostalgia for S8
and Win 95...

 

"the boss is a CAD user, and the most resistant.