Epson EPLN-1200

The Epson EPLN-1200 isn't the prettiest printer in this test. The styling is rather old-fashioned, like an early LaserJet, and paper input is unusual in that there's no removable tray. Instead, you load the paper straight into a front compartment. This opens like a bread bin, accepting up to 250 sheets of A4, A5, or American sizes up to Legal. The bin also handles envelopes, although you have to remove other media before printing. Whatever paper you're using, care needs to be taken to adjust the paper guides correctly or the path will be skewed to an angle. You can increase capacity up to 1,250 sheets with two extra 500-page feeders.

The version 4.2 drivers supplied for Windows 95 are actually for Windows 3.1 and aren't fully functional in the 32-bit environment. In particular, the overlay capability - where you can store a letterhead or watermark for concurrent printing - is inoperable. However, a later driver version (4.36) available on Epson's Web site does support overlay under Windows 95. You'll also be able to download a proper Windows 95 universal miniport driver which will give you a standard printer driver interface. Take a book to read if you download either, though, as Epson's site is one of the slowest we've come across.

Like some of the other printers on test this month, the Epson has a false duplex feature. With this option turned on, you become a human duplex unit. The driver merely prompts you to flip over the paper and return it to the bin for a second print. But the manual isn't entirely clear about how this works, and you'll need a little trial and error to get the paper orientation correct.

From a performance point of view, the Epson is only a fair performer and is placed in the middle of the overall performance charts. It comes with 2Mb of RAM as standard which can be expanded to 64Mb, and it gets the most out of this with something called Memory Improvement Technology, or MITech, which optimises memory use. The EPLN-1200 also has BI-RI Tech for a pseudo-1,200dpi print resolution, but the improvements this offers are fairly minimal.

Network and Postscript 2 versions of the EPLN-1200 are both available for less than £1,000, which is reasonable value. But with faster, higher-quality printers available for only a little more, the Epson isn't the best option around.