psc@lzaz.UUCP (Paul S. R. Chisholm) (12/10/85)
< Oxygen is for people who can't take New Jersey > Yes, the Toshiba 1340 is a good value for output that's *very* nearly letter quality. I reviewed a number of NLQ printers; of the 1340, I said: "The Toshiba's letters are beautiful, fully formed, and extremely typewriterlike. In fact, when I described this survey to some friends, I showed them Toshiba's sample. Several of them said, "OK, that's what a dasiy wheel printer does. Now let me see some dot matrix output." The Toshiba tied for second place in the survey [one point behind the Epson LQ1500; on a scale from zero to twenty-seven, the 1340 scored 20 points], but I'll admit that it's my personal favorite. The underlined descenders [a real test of a NLQ printer] cost the 1340 its only "unacceptable" rating, given by an editor [George Scithers] who was consistently unforgiving on that point. (The editors gave the Toshiba's sans serif typeface sample 19 points.)" The TI 855 was also a very good value for the money. Since then, I've seen samples of the Epson FX-85, and like it a lot, for the quality, the compatibility, and the price ($500). I don't know anything about the new Toshiba P341 or Epson LQ800 or LQ1000 printers. For more comments, print samples, and a double blind survey of SF editors' opinions on what makes it and what doesn't, see "Are Near Letter Quality Printers Near Enough?" in the November 12, 1985 (v4 #23) issue of PC Magazine. -- -Paul S. R. Chisholm The above opinions are my own, {pegasus,vax135}!lzwi!psc not necessarily those of any {mtgzz,ihnp4}!lznv!psc telecommunications company. (*sigh* ihnp4!lzwi!psc does *NOT* work!!! Use above paths.) NOMINATE MARK LEEPER (mtgzz!leeper): HUGO AWARD FOR BEST FAN WRITER IN 1986