The fixed headstock is a standard trait of midi lathes that isn't going to change, more for safety reasons. The small lathes don't have the mass to allow large/unbalanced pieces that require pivot/moving heads. Disaster would ensure if you tried rounding a large, unbalanced blank that wouldn't clear the ways with a midi lathe head pivoted 30/90 or moved all the way to the end. Beginners especially that would likely be buying a midi might not understand that just because you can mount something and rotate it, doesn't make it safe to turn.
The magazine has to have a lathe in order to review it. A number of years back when they were still operating full capacity someone asked woodworker's emporium why they didn't stock the vl150 and the response was that the one gathered so much dust over the years it took to finally sell, there was no point in ever stocking another. You can custom order it from any of the vendors named above, but you likely won't find one available waiting to ship. Most of the vendors only stock the two popular big lathes that serious turners spending that much would want (240 and 300).
Not exclusive to WW magazines, most operate on the basis of "send me your model if you want to be included in our review". There is little chance the magazine would actually pay and wait for one to get sent over from brisbane after ordering, it's just not how publishing works. By the time it got to the US the article filing deadline would be way past. They have to fill pages by certain dates and the time frame from article idea to publishing is a small/limited window.
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