Briefly describes the history of computer printers, discusses recent developments, and outlines some of the potential characteristics of future printers. Included are a glossary of terms commonly used to describe the various features of printers and a table listing the manufacturers' addresses, specifications, and costs of over 150 currently…

Describes and evaluates the hardware, operation, peripheral devices, software, and performance capabilities of the Atari 400 microcomputer system. (JL)

Describes and evaluates the hardware, operation, peripheral devices, software, and performance capabilities of the Radio Shack Color Computer System. (JL)

Describes and evaluates the hardware, operation, software, and performance capabilities of the Sinclair ZX81 personal computer. Designed as a beginning computer for learning BASIC, this compact, inexpensive microcomputer also has prepackaged software for tax computation, personal finance, education, graphics, and arcade-style games. (JL)

Describes and evaluates the components and performance of the IBM Personal Computer. Data processing and memory capacity, compatible software packages and programming languages, and system options are discussed. (JL)

Describes the unique features, available software, performance capabilities, system options, costs, advantages, disadvantages, and eccentricities of the Osborne 1 microcomputer. A table summarizes specifications, features, and costs. (JL)

Describes and evaluates the basic hardware, peripheral devices, system software, graphics capabilities, operations, and other features of the low-cost Commodore VIC-20 color microcomputer system. Included are three simultaneous musical tones plus one noise generator. (JL)

Describes and evaluates the basic hardware, peripheral devices, functions, capabilities, and available software for the TI-99/4A home computer. A table summarizes the computer's specifications. (JL)

Describes two robots that can be communicated with in Logo--Topo and Tasman Turtle--and briefly presents merchandise information on Topo II and Turtle Tot. Educational issues and possibilities related to robot use in school classrooms are discussed, and a school visit to introduce students to robots is recounted. (MBR)

Describes and compares the features, performance capabilities, specifications, and available options for a number of recently-marketed microcomputers, including the Apple II Plus, the Atari 800, the Commodore PET 400 and CBM 8000, and the Radio Shack TRS 80 Model III. (JL)

Describes the software modules produced by Texas Instruments for use with the TI-99/4A home computer. Among the modules described are: Personal Real Estate, Programing Aids, Home Financial Decisions, Music Maker, Weight Control and Nutrition, Early Learning Fun, and Tax/Investment Record Keeping. (JL)

Discusses features essential to good art software or paint systems and provides descriptions of 10 art software packages to illustrate range available to home computer artists--Complete Graphics System, E-Z Draw 3.3, Flying Colors, Graphics Magician, Micro-Painter, Paint, Paint Magic, Paint Master, Poor Man's Graphics Tablet, and Rainbow Graphics.…

Describes and evaluates the hardware, software, peripheral devices, performance capabilities, and programing capacity of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum microcomputer. The computer's display system, its version of the BASIC programing language, its graphics capabilities, and the unique features of its data entry keyboard are discussed. (JL)

Discusses print quality, speed, print modes, buffers, and character sets of daisy-wheel and dot-matrix printers; briefly reviews features needed to print graphics and color; and presents a chart listing over 30 typical daisy-wheel and dot-matrix printers for comparison of features and price. (MBR)

Results of a national survey of 14,000 microcomputer owners provide a profile of the typical microcomputer owner as well as information on software and peripheral spending patterns and brand ownership, owner system and software satisfaction, and owner spending plans. Future market and ownership trends are discussed. (MBR)