CompuServe Messages

John, I just bought the 500C the other day, and have run some tests with it using the C= "beta test" 500C driver that is in the Data Libraries here. For what I have done with it, I have been rather impressed by its output, although I think that the paper I bought for it (Xerox 4200 20lb copy paper) is not the ideal type to use, but it was 500 sheets for $3! ..<g> When printing color graphics, the 500C makes black by combining the three ink colors (magenta, cyan, yellow) and this results in a dark greenish-grey tone, that is not pure black, but close. Aside from paper absorption of the ink on the Xerox paper, which results in a small amount of "smudge" along the fibers of the paper, visible if you look at the page from a distance of 6" or less, the B&W output of the printer is very sharp, nearly laser quality. I have not used the correct paper reccomended yet (a sample of which is included in the box), but I have seen printouts made with this paper using the 500 / 500C and you would be hard-pressed to distinguish it from a laser printer. Color performance is surprizingly good on the cheap paper, but for really vibrant colors (and lack of paper saturation) it is best to go with the clay-coated paper. In addition, the "Draft" quality mode of this printer is better than most dot-matrix printer's "NLQ" modes, so I intend to use the "draft" mode for most text uses, not to mention the fact that it saves ink. I think that for the price it is currently selling for (about $499) the 500C is an excellent value. The 550C is nice, but it is over $750, and for that price, you can get a laser printer, is you can live without the color. I wanted a general-purpose printer that offered laser-quality text and graphics, and the 500C adds the bonus of color (the machine CAN do color and BLACK text on the same page — it will prompt you to change the cartridge) for a small price. I'm happy I got it. — Dave <continued>