I've had several electronic jobs myself, and yes, they are real pros at what they do.  You can not only change from pica to elite, but some you can even have proportional spacing.  You have things like autoreturn, and you can even justify the right hand margins to where they're squared off just like the left side.

Now, the reason they get such short shrift is because a lot of people don't understand them.  The users sometimes get confused with them (or they did whenever they came into offices for the first time in the eighties).  I remember my Great Aunt, who was a secretary for many years, fell in love with her IBM Wheelriter once she got to know it better.  And then there are those of us collectors, not naming names or indicting anyone here, that are dyed-in-the-wool manual typewriters only.  I can understand that, since this technology is the one they know, and they know it very well.  Me, I'm open to all.  However, if something really big should break down on an electronic machine, such as an E-prom chip or any of the other discrete components, I just don't have the tools to troubleshoot down to where to find the problem, but I can tell you this, overheard by an older television repairman:  You start unsoldering and soldering parts, you're going to be fixing on the unit for the rest of its life.  When a part becomes weak, it will weaken other parts, and when that weak part is replaced with a stronger part, it will continue to weaken the parts made weak by the originally weak part. 

I am definitely not saying that all electronic typewriters are doomed to this fate.  In fact, I have seen some to last quite a long time, and most of the time, it's a mechanical issue that would hang one up.  Oh they're a joy to use--just don't tinker with the insides too much.

Well clearly the progression goes

mechanical typewriter => electromechanical typewriter => electronic typewriter => valley of lost souls

Near the edge of the valley a small group of standalone word processors chitters among the rocks and fall upon travelers whom they believe may carry 8 inch floppies.

It's a matter of personal taste which of these critters you enjoy. I admit to a guilty pleasure in electromechanicals - losing the immediate tactile feedback of the manual they still sound like typewriters, write like typewriters, and I just find at least one a lot of fun, but then it is a hulking glowering office machine which I think is part of its charm. I don't like the little ones much.

This post has no point at all but I'm going to post it anyway...

 

It all depends on the school of thought you subscribe to.  For instance, do you collect typewriters because certain ones--mainly older manuals--have a certain "je ne sais quoi," and the newer, more modern electronic machines just don't have the same flavor?  Do you collect typewriters because you want to take up writing?  Or do you collect typewriters simply  because punching keys and wondering about all the things this machine or that machine can do appeals to you, regardless of antiquity or value?  I fall into that third category.  Yes, each era of typewriters is going to have it own "ambience" as it were.  The straight manuals, the mechanical-electrics, the electronics, right up to the great piece de resistance of the Great Charles Babbage--the Computer.

I had trouble at first reconciling my love of manuals with electronics. My girlfriend didn't improve the situation: she keeps saying I'm having fun with my new computer. But what draws me to electronics are the beauty and neatness of their typefaces. I love different typefaces: that's one reason I collect typewriters. Eventually (this took time) I concluded that I have days where I prefer typeface over feel, and others where I prefer feel: it's that simple. There also practical considerations: when I need to write as typo-free document, I will invariably use the electronic, which beeps when it encounters a typo and has erase functions. In those instances, efficiency is of the essence. Electronics will never replace my manuals, but they are typewriters and I find them exciting, too.

I keep two electronic machines ready at all times in my office. When I need to address envelopes they don't fight me on the feed as some of my manuals do.  The carriage is stationary, so I can be a messy pig- no need to keep the carriage area clear.  Quick change typeface with the print wheels.  Finally, I got into collecting in part because I'm very interested in the technologies from the 50s through the 80s.  

When typing letters I grab a manual 90% of the time.  So... I like 'em both!  ~Tom~

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