Epson EPL-N1200EN

Print quality for text output was excellent at 600 « 600dpi. Yet another version of image enhancement is used, called RITech (Resolution Improvement Technology) by Epson. It does the usual smoothing of jagged edges. Graphics quality was good at maximum resolution, with plenty of detail and only minor banding. The printer driver offers plenty of control over your document, with a manual duplex function for printing on both sides of a page.

The Epson EPL-N1200EN comes into a market area with strong competition from Hewlett-Packard, and is pitched directly against the LaserJet 5M (reviewed p120, issue 21). The 5M is also a 12ppm, network-ready laser and costs around £200 more. For that extra outlay, you get as standard PCL6 and PostScript Level 2 languages, 6Mb of memory, an IR port, a network card which also includes a LocalTalk connection, HP's excellent JetAdmin software and a wider range of optional extras. Epson has produced a solid printer with good performance, but it's up against some stiff competition and the LaserJet 5M is better value for money.

Author: Dave Mitchell