The Epson Stylus Color 860 is one of the newest printers in this months group test. In Epsons more than comprehensive range it sits near the top, offering high speed in addition to impressive print quality.

Specifications-wise this printer is very similar to the cheaper 760: it boasts the same ability to produce variable dot sizes right down to four picolitres in size, the same 1,440 x 720dpi resolution, and corresponding USB/parallel connections. The two printers even feature the same chassis, except that the 860 has a transparent hood that allows you to see the exact progress of your print. Its always handy to know as soon as possible if your print-out is going obviously wrong; youll save on ink at the end of the day.

The 860 even has the same lower noise level rating of 42dB(A). True to Epsons claims its significantly quieter than previous models, although again not as soft-footed as the HP printers. Finally, the 860 looks to have the same new paper feed mechanism as the 760, although we experienced none of the same problems.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the 860 produced very similar results to the 760 in our tests. In fact, in our blind jury test the two tied in three of the image quality tests resolution, colour accuracy and photographic reproduction. In the other tests, better colour quality on plain paper and coated paper was enough to push the 860 in front, giving it sufficient advantage to place it alongside the Canon BJC-8200 and HP DeskJet 970Cxi. Unfortunately, as with the 760, text quality on plain paper left a lot to be desired.

In fact the only key differentiator, on paper, between the 860 and the 760 is improved speed, but even here there isnt that much difference. It produced a faster 4.8ppm plain paper text speed than the 760, and the colour A4 photograph popped into the output tray in a speedy nine minutes, 23 seconds. But despite this it actually performed slower when outputting the DTP and plain paper Corel image tests, dragging the speed score back to the same level as the 760.

All in all, the Stylus Color 860 is a fine printer. It cant match the HP PhotoSmart P1100 for all-round quality or the extra flexibility of its duplex unit and smart card slots, but it costs significantly less at a street price of $599. Overall though, the Stylus Color 860 isnt really worth the extra $100 to the
760 models.