Epson does it again - already Highly Recommended
Written: Mar 11 '01
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Pros: Superb fast text handling
Cons: Graphics average
The Bottom Line: A class performer. A better than average printer with a slightly higher than average price. Windows a snip - DOS an optional extra! An award winner
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| AlanCrax's Full Review: Epson EPL 5800 Laser Printer |
I was in the need for a new laser printer for my home office situation. My needs are not that uncommon in that I do a lot of repetitive word processing. As I standardised much of my output in the years when WordPerfect for DOS was king my output format was to the Postscript standard of an Apple LaserWriter. When Word became the Windows standard I migrated most of the routine work to this later program but my major reporting format (with its boilerplate libraries and its liberal use of the WP51 macro language) has prevailed. I have not wanted to take on board a full scale conversion of these major documents to Word2000. Consequently my choice of laser printer has had to be capable of adapting to both formats.
I have installed two Epson EPL5700 printers in the office and am very happy with their outputs. Unfortunately one is the basic ‘L’ model which copes admirably with Windows programs but cannot take the DOS based output.
My need for a new machine coincided with the introduction of the EPL5800. It has a better resolution and a faster page per minute speed. It is a different shape but (mercifully) it uses the same toner cartridge and photoconductor unit as the 5700 (unlike the previous 5500). I had the optional Postscript board added.
Set up could not have been easier. The machine sits on the parallel port (although is does come with a USB option). Installation of drivers was from the provided CD-ROM (it does not recognise the EPL5700 drivers) and took only a matter of moments. Communication between the printer and Windows is quick and informative (‘paper out’, ‘paper jam’, ‘low toner’ etc) There were no problems in accommodating the LaserWriter formatted output from WP51. It does default to an automatic blank page between print jobs in this mode for which I have not yet found the switch off.
Otherwise performance is fast (10 ppm in text mode) and the printer sounds quieter than its predecessor. It has a fairly small footprint on the desk although the paper feed cartridge (150 sheets capacity) does project a little from the front.
Here in the UK the price for the base machine is £ 236 +VAT. The PS option is £ 443 + VAT. I was happy to pay the advanced price for my pedantry!!
Overall I have been very happy with this printer and it has become the work horse of my home office environment. I was even happier when the UK edition of Personal Computer World magazine for March 2001 carried out a group test on the ten most popular entry level Laser printers. Working details and comparative output is published. The Epson EPL5800 was given a Highly Commended. The final assessment concluded: “The final award … for the simple reason that it delivered the best quality text printing we’ve seen in this price bracket. Since high-quality text printing is very important in a business environment, the Epson is an attractive SoHo option”
The magazine runs a Group Test FaxBack service which can be contacted on +44 (0)9065 600632 quoting reference 2000.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): See review
Operating System: Windows
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Epinions.com ID:
AlanCrax
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Member: Alan Craxford
Location: Tyne and Wear, UK
Reviews written: 212
Trusted by: 37 members
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