Perhaps a little embarrassed that its expected quantum leap in price-performance for the RT is still not ready for announcement, IBM decided against trying to upstage DEC’s desktop launch, contenting itself with the introduction of two new letter-quality 24-wire models in its Proprinter line. The Proprinter X24E and wide-carriage XL24E can print quality text and graphics on envelopes, cut-sheet pages and four-part forms. At 288 chps in 12 pitch draft mode, they are about 20% faster than the X24 and XL24. A new Pro park one-touch paper parking feat ure enables continuous forms to re main in the printer while envelopes or cut-sheet pages are being print ed. A 14Kb print buffer is stand ard, there are single-drawer sheet feed and 11 font FontSet options, and the printers are supported by PS/2s and IBM and compatible MS-DOS machines. The X24E costs $900, the XL24E $1,200, both now in the US.
