pdxtypewriter wrote:

Anybody ever used a 1960 SC Electra 12? There's one in my neighborhood and I thought I'd take a look.

To be fair, it's not an electronic typewriter, so it doesn't really compare to those being discussed in this thread. On it's own those 6-series Smith-Corona models that use standard ribbon spools are worth grabbing when working and inexpensive. I love using them, but rarely do because I get too easily distracted by the electric motor humming "get to work" over and over again.

I LOVE using this as well. What a nice diversion from regular machines. Very fun indeed. I'm glad I bought it, and wouldn't have even considered it without your comment above, so thank you, Uwe..

Hi,
​As with anything else, we have purists.  When Porsche introduced the 924 in 1976 with the first liquid cooled engine in the company's history, purists were outraged.  Now Porsche makes a sedan.  Wedges, but in particular word processors, filled a brief need--from about 1982 to 1994--for those who didn't want a standard typewriter but could not afford a computer ($2500-$3000 was quite a sum in 1988).  Swintec and Nakajima/Royal still make wedges.   I have a Royal (Nakajima) Scriptor, purchased new last April.  I use it for typing on 11X17" paper.  I also use it when I need crisp, virtually flawless type.  When I want an impression with more character (no pun intended), I switch to my Brother Challenger 11.  I like the Royal Scriptor because it's loud, and it has a mechanical IBM PS2 style keyboard, so typing on it is a very tactile and auditory experience.  Plus, the outer lip at the base of the keyboard is breadbasket style, resembling a Commodore 64 housing--nice.

​I prefer a manual, but have problem using the wedge when the situation calls for it.

Uwe wrote:

I can't speak for other enthusiasts, but for me electronic typewriters (not to be confused with electro-mechanical models) are far too similar to using a computer. They consume hydro (and in that regard cost money to run), most of them require proprietary ribbons, and none of them provide any of the tactile pleasures that make mechanical typewriters a joy to use. I own quite a number of electro-mechanical typewriters, mostly out of curiosity and interest in specific models, but not one electronic typewriter. If I was to go down that path I would rather just fire up the computer and have a far greater variety of typefaces to choose from and incomparable better control over any document that I wanted to produce. 

I seem to be into resurrecting old posts today.  I must be procrastinating about something...

Anyway, like Uwe says, electronic typewriters are too close to using a computer.  You have a bunch of distractions, like line editing, special character combinations, spell check, auto correct, blah blah blah.

They are also made with disposable design in mind.  The silicon chips have a limited lifetime.  Even more, the electrolytic capacitors dry out and invariably need replacement at some point.  Gears are plastic.  Key switches wear and become mushy.  Carbon film ribbon cartridges are proprietary. These machines are not designed to last a lifetime.  They are not overbuilt as in the past.  In fact, they are designed to fail within a few years so that you will buy the next model.  And the next.  Just like computers.

That said, I do have a couple myself.   Then again, I also have an old Kaypro II CP/M computer with Wordstar, so nostalgia sometimes wins over practicality.    Anyway, I like playing with a variety of printwheels with different typefaces now and then.  I've managed to collect a dozen or so NOS ribbon cartridges to keep them going for a while longer.  I've already replaced the electrolytic caps, so there's little danger of seeing a puff of smoke while I type.  However, they don't get names like my beloved mechanical marvels, or even the electro-mechanical ones.  These electronic jobs are treated as toys to play with until they're worn out, and then thrown away.  Like they were designed to be.  Some of my mechanical machines, on the other hand, are already older than I'll ever be (unless I live to be 108 - doubtful), and they'll ALL outlast me.  Like they were designed to.  

robmck wrote:

Woo! Kaypro! I still have my Kaypro 2X and IV, and Juki daisywheel printer. They're in boxes still. Been too frightened to try booting up a Kaypro; worried the floppies would erased by the movement of the disks in the casing wiping off the oxide... 

Sadly, I tossed out the daisywheel printer a few years ago.  It was 40+ pounds and I got tired of moving it around.  Also had a total of 5 Kaypro machines - two ||s, a 2X, a IV and a 10.  Sold them all for peanuts, but kept one.  I've done some mods to it, such as a turbo mode and separate video output.  Also a custom ROM.  I have an old PC with floppy drives and imaging software to make boot disks when necessary.  Otherwise, I just transfer files via kermit or zmodem with a serial to USB adapter...