Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ukma!rutgers!att!pegasus!psrc
From: psrc@pegasus.ATT.COM (Paul S. R. Chisholm)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Epson LQ500 vs. Panasonic KXP 1124
Summary: some comments on each family; but either way, use a dark ribbon!
Keywords: NLQ printer
Message-ID: <2844@pegasus.ATT.COM>
Date: 30 Apr 89 04:55:54 GMT
References: <18003@dunkshot.mips.COM>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 23

<"Would you like me to summon Data so he could offer a few dozen synonyms?">

In my experience, they're both good.  I did a survey on near letter
quality dot matrix printers (PC Magazine, v. 4, #23, November 12, 1985,
p. 143).  The LQ-1500 output didn't look like it came out of a
typewriter, but it was rated the best.  I preferred the Toshiba 1340,
which looked just like it came out of a Selectric with a Courier type
ball.  The first time (years later) I saw NLQ output from a Panasonic
printer, I literally looked at it for half an hour before I decided it
didn't come from a daisy wheel printer.  The Panasonic 1124 has much
better forms handling than an LQ500, too.

The *real* secret to getting good output from a dot matrix printer has
nothing to do with font design or number of pins.  It's much simpler:
use a good, dark ribbon!

For a little more, you might consider an HP Desket as well.  (Naturally
enough, I recommend you look at an AT&T 477, too; but that's in a
higher price range.)

Paul S. R. Chisholm, AT&T Bell Laboratories
att!pegasus!psrc, psrc@pegasus.att.com, AT&T Mail !psrchisholm
I'm not speaking for the company, I'm just speaking my mind.