Dave said:

Semi-portable planers that run on 120v seem to be really popular now,
and prices seem to be falling. Do they accomplish the task almost as well as
($$) 230v floor models?

Dave

Most leave a nice surface finish, but are noisy as hell because of the
universal motors. They are not meant for production work, and are
limited in width - the widest "portable" planer I have seen is 13".
They are slower, lighter, designed for short operating bursts, limited
in width, but much cheaper to own. Snipe has all but been eliminated
in most better models, although stock feed/extraction technique still
plays a large roll in eliminating it.

FWIW,

Greg G.