Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ukma!xanth!rlb
From: rlb@cs.odu.edu (Robert Lee Bailey)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Epson LQ500 vs. Panasonic KXP 1124
Keywords: printer peripheral
Message-ID: <8639@xanth.cs.odu.edu>
Date: 26 Apr 89 02:25:38 GMT
References: <18003@dunkshot.mips.COM>
Reply-To: rlb@cs.odu.edu (Robert Lee Bailey)
Organization: Old Dominion University, Norfolk Va.
Lines: 55

In article <18003@dunkshot.mips.COM> jeremy@mips.COM (Jeremy M. Schneider) writes:
>I am trying to choose between the LQ500 and the KXP1124 for a home printer.
>
>The advertised speeds are very close.  The prices are comparable, both
>in my range.
>
>Concerns:
>
>1.	Compatability with existing programs, specifically lotus 123 (ver 3?) 
>	and wordperfect 4.2.  Do both or either have emulation modes that
>	are likely to be recognized by most programs?
>
>2.	Print quality.  I want to be able to send out good looking
>	correspondence.  My wife will want to produce a thesis on it.  Have 
>	you seen both?  Which is better?  What about different varietys of
>	fonts?
>
>3.	Graphics resolution.  The 1124 is advertised to have 360 x 360 dpi,
>	which is better than the 500.  Comments?
>
>4.	Dependability.  Epson has a history of making (dependable?) printers.
>	Does Panasonic (or whoever is really building it)?  I can get the
>	500 with a 1 year parts and labor warranty from the vendor.  The 1124
>	comes with a two year parts and labor warranty from the manufacturer.

I have a Panasonic KXP-1091 that I bought over three years ago.  I have had
NO problems at all.  My wife uses a Panasonic KXP-1592 at work.  Its over
two years old and again NO problems.  A friend has a KXP-1092; same story.

In my opinion, the Panasonic printers are like the Rock of Gibralter.  I
use it with a variety of software.  Wordstar, WordPerfect, Windows 386,
Printmaster and others.  So far I have not found any incompatibilities.
If the programs don't have a Panasonic driver, I just use the Epson FX
settings.  Those seem to work just fine.

My only complaint about my 1091 & my wife's 1592 is the ribbon.  Panasonic
uses a VERY small ribbon and it costs about $10 retail.  Because it is so
small it tends to wear out faster than the Epson.  My solution was to buy
reloads & stuff 'em myself.  I have since found that MEI sells brand new
ribbons (in a cartridge) for $2.38.  Now, the small ribbons don't matter!

One caveat: The KXP_1124 is a 24 pin printer.  This will give you great
looking printouts, but, not all software has drivers for the 24 pin
models.  I "think" that it will work with the drivers for the Epson 24
pin models, but, you might want to check just for sure.  If you don't want
a 24 pin printer take a look at the Panasonic KXP-1191.  This is their new
9 pin model. It looks almost exactly like the 1124 and has paper parking,
front load single sheet feed, and a bunch of fonts.  AND its FAST too.
I think its around 240 cps (instantaneous - not throughput).

Summary: IMHO you can't go wrong with a Panasonic.

	No connection - just a satisfied user!

		Bob Bailey