CX PARTS CATALOG

PRINTERS AND CONTROLLERS
QMS SmartWriter
and QMS KISS

QUALITY MICRO SYSTEMS
SMARTWRITER AND KISS PRINTERS

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Controller Notes | Supplies and Accessories | Ordering Information | Text Only

Model Information

GENERAL INFORMATION

QMS SmartWriter

The SmartWriter series was designed for the general business market and emulated Diablo and Qume daisywheel printers, as well as the EpsonFX-80 dot matrix printer. The SmartWriters were moderately successful and were later reintroduced at lower prices in the form of the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) line.

QMS Smartwriter 80+

The SmartWriter 80+ added built-in HP LaserJet+ and IBM Proprinter emulations to the Epson FX-80 emulation and daisywheel emulations of the basic model. The SmartWriter 80+ also contained 825K of RAM, instead of only the 78K that were in the basic SmartWriter.

QMS SmartWriter 8/3X

The SmartWriter line was eventually expanded to include the 8/3X model for the IBM System 34/36/38 and AS400 markets. These IBM-compatible versions were not sold in significant numbers and were discontinued.

QMS KISS

The QMS KISS was basically a "price reduced" (as opposed to cost reduced) version of the QMS SmartWriter. The QMS KISS was introduced at $3,995. At Fall Comdex 1986, the QMS marketing department boldy decided to set a very aggressive suggested retail price of only $1,995 and to go directly to dealers through QMS's newly established subsidiary, called "The Laser Connection" or TLC for short. TLC bypassed QMS's established distributors, who were severely damaged by the move. QMS's competitors at that time were Corona Data Systems and HP (both also sold directly to dealers, thereby avoiding a middle tier and mark-up). With a suggested retail of $1,995, dealers paid only $1,496.25 for the printer. The name of QMS's subsidiary was changed to Laser Connection in 1988. It was then folded back into QMS in 1991, when channel conflicts among the various QMS sales forces created too many problems and the burden of two marketing organizations became too large to make sense.

The QMS KISS was sold with either an RS-232 serial interface or a Centronics parallel interface. The controller is the same, only the interface bracket and cable assembly were different. As an option, QMS came out with an interface bracket that contained both RS-232 and Centronics parallel.

The QMS KISS was most often used with software designed for the daisywheel or dot matrix printers. It included built-in emulations for the Epson FX 80, Diablo 630 and Qume Sprint 11. Several optional software packages (PopSet, 1stKISS, LaserControl and KISSroff) improved the product immensely. PopSet, for IBM PCs and compatibles, is a cute TSR that pops up via a hot-key from within any application and provides a much better control panel for selecting fonts, emulations and page orientation than the hard-to-use, extremely confusing two-digit 7-segment control panel. 1stKISS is a tutorial for novices. LaserControl provides limited HP LaserJet emulation and KISSroff is a UNIX driver for troff.

QMS Big KISS

The Big KISS included more RAM and ROM memory for fonts, as listed in the table below.

QMS Big KISS II

The Big KISS II used the CXD engine and had the same memory and font configuration as the Big KISS.

The CX-based KISS printers were replaced by the KISS Plus models, which used the SX engine. KISS Plus printers came with personality cards called "MOD 20" or "MOD 30" or "MOD 40." These improved models contained all of the emulations of the original KISS printers, plus HP LaserJet emulation. Ultimately, the KISS product line became another sacred cow that wasn't retired until about 1992.

QMS KISS FONT INFORMATION

The QMS KISS included ten portrait fonts and two landscape fonts that could be used in the daisywheel and Epson emulation modes. The Big KISS added four more portrait fonts and one more landscape font, as well as ANSI X 3.64 emulation. Additional fonts could be added with cartridges or download software. Cataloging these additional rare and outdated font cartridges and soft font diskettes is beyond the scope of this publication.

REFURBISHED PRINTERS AVAILABLE

Although the QMS SmartWriter and KISS series have been discontinued, The Printer Works offers refurbished printers in like-new condition with a full, one-year warranty. For a price quote, select the part number of the model that interests you in the ordering information table.

Controller Notes

Model Information | Supplies and Accessories | Ordering Information | Text Only

Supplies and Accessories

Model Information | Controller Notes | Ordering Information | Text Only

You can check prices or order these items from the ordering information table below.

TONER

The QMS SmartWriter & KISS family uses the same toner cartridges as all other CX-based printers.

PAPER HANDLING

The QMS SmartWriter & KISS printers use the same shaped paper trays as all other CX-based printers. All versions are physically interchangeable. (See also Diagram 300, Paper Cassettes for CX Engines.)

Ordering Information

Model Information | Controller Notes | Supplies and Accessories | Text Only

For price and ordering information or to place the item in your shopping cart,
select a Part Number in the table.

Model Information | Controller Notes | Supplies and Accessories | Text Only