Desktop Laser Printing via NEC Silentwriter LC 860 Plus

                       Copyright 1988 by David Batterson



     A laser-class printer produces output identical to that of an actual laser
printer.  Rather than a laser, the technology is LED (light-emitting diode)
array electro-photography.
     I chose for review NEC's LC (laser-class) 860 Plus, the middle offering in
the LC 800 family.  (The cheaper LC 850 features text-only (no graphics), while
the top-of-the-line LC 890 has PostScript page description for intensive
desktop publishing (DTP) use.)
     I anticipated a difficult setup process, but it turned out to be rather
easy.  However, getting it out of the box onto a table or printer stand
requires two people.  The weight--68 pounds--and bulk are considerably more
than an average dot matrix printer.
     The user's guide is well-done, providing illustrated step-by-step
instructions.  First, in goes the photoconductor cartridge (which contains the
drum--lifespan about 5,000 pages).  There is a warning not to "expose the drum
to light for more than 60 seconds at a time." The Problem Solving section of
the guide indicates that such exposure causes a blurry background; the solution
is buying a new cartridge.  I took their word for it, and did not try for 90
seconds!
     The disposable toner cartridge (which lasts for about 2,500 pages) has an
elegant design which makes loading a snap, and no soiled fingers! Pop in the
sheet guide, plug in the power cord and parallel printer cable, load the paper
(up to 250 sheets) in the hopper, and it's ready to print.  The LC 860 Plus
also has a serial port; DIP switches must be changed from the default settings
if serial hookup is desired.
     Per usual printers, the self-test works nicely.  Instead of a soft-touch
on-line button, NEC calls it Pause Continue; it's the same thing.  Warm-up
takes less than two minutes; faster than some copiers. The control panel
features LCD-display for messages, and only four buttons to master (easily
done).
     The Font Set button selects the four fonts.  Although the manual listed
four types of Courier fonts, the actual ones supplied were Courier 10 Pitch
(Portrait), Courier 10 Pitch (Landscape), Line Printer 6 Pitch, and Letter
Gothic 12 Pitch. Two slots in front accept various optional HP-compatible font
cartridges; more than 40 styles are offered.
     A print density dial below the panel controls the lightness/darkness.
Printed pages come out face-down, thus are in order.  To make pages exit
face-up, a slot is opened underneath.  The face-up slot must be used when
printing transparencies.  Recommended paper is 16 to 20 lb. for auto feed, and
16 to 24 lb. for manual feed or in the included second hopper.
     Paper sizes for auto feed are standard 8.5 inches in width, and 11 or 14
inches in length.  The manual feed slot will accept paper 5.5 to 8.5 inches
wide by 5.8 to 14 inches long.
     I simply used regular copy paper, and it worked great.  Using some old
Classic Laid stationery wasn't so successful. The texture of that paper caused
a paper jam.
     From the first self-test through hundreds of pages later, the printing was
dark crisp black, with no washouts.  When pages emerged, several times I wet my
fingers and rubbed the printing to see if it would smear or flake off.  It did
not.
     The LC 860 Plus emulates the HP LaserJet Plus, the IBM ProPrinter, and NEC
3550 Spinwriter.  Internal memory is 1.3 MB.  The second hopper is standard;
face-up tray is optional. Printing speed is eight pages per minute.
Microprocessor is the 80136.  Noise level is 52 dbA while printing, and 45 dbA
standby.  Print density is 300x300 dpi.  The developer station runs for about
100,000 pages.
     An obvious question is:  can one do desktop publishing (DTP) with this
printer?  The answer is yes and no.  I tested PFS: First Publisher, compatible
with the HP LaserJet and Apple LaserWriter.  It worked as well as could be
expected, considering that results are limited by this low-end publishing
program, and a printer lacking PostScript.
     To use PageMaker, Ventura Publisher and other heavyweight contenders in
the DTP field, you need PostScript (or an emulation, like ImageScript from
Personal Computer Products, Inc.).  Therefore, NEC's top-of-the-line 890 is
required.
     I have few complaints with this particular printer.  The DIP switches are
a bit hard to reach but that's typical with many printers. Good ventilation is
suggested while using the LC 860 Plus.  The smell was unpleasant, much more
than a typical copier machine.  At a list price of $2,995, it looks like a
pretty good value if heavily discounted.
     For more information, contact NEC Information Systems, Inc., 1414
Massachusetts Ave., Boxborough, MA  01719; (800) 343-4418; (617) 264-8635.

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     David Batterson is an independent computer journalist, reviewer, and
technical writer.  His e-mail address is MCI Mail: DBATTERSON (or 273-7218).

     The nicely-d