Epson's Stylus Photo 960's design is very
similar to that of the more expensive Stylus Photo 2200, but the 960's paper
carriage can handle paper no larger than 8.5 inches wide. On the other hand, it
costs $349, rather than $699. Like the 2200, the 960 has plenty of
paper-handling goodies, including a spindle attachment for feeding rolls of 4-
or 8.5-inch-wide paper, plus an automatic paper cutter and a sling that catches
finished snapshots when they're done. You don't have to empty the 960's
cut-sheet paper tray to operate the paper cutter, as you do with the 2200; to
print on heavy stock, however, you have to attach a special feeder that blocks
the 960's ordinary output tray (the 2200 feeds straight through from the back).
The 960 is like the 2200 in another important way: It produces
superb glossy photos, with lifelike color, good shading, and fine detail. And
because it uses ordinary black ink, the 960's text looks somewhat better--the
black is more solid, though it still shows a little roughness in larger
letters.
