HP LaserJet III

HP LaserJet III
Name	HP LaserJet III
Manufacturer	Hewlett-Packard
Type	Laser printer
Release date	March 1990
Predecessor	HP LaserJet Series II
Successor	HP LaserJet 4

HP LaserJet III. Introduced in March 1990, it was a landmark laser printer from Hewlett-Packard that significantly advanced print quality and affordability for office environments. Building on the immense success of its predecessor, the HP LaserJet Series II, it incorporated revolutionary resolution enhancement technology and a new page description language. Its introduction solidified Hewlett-Packard's dominance in the laser printer market and set a new standard for desktop publishing.

Overview

The device represented a major evolution in Hewlett-Packard's printer lineup, offering professional-grade output to a broad audience. It was designed to bridge the gap between basic office printing and the demanding needs of desktop publishing. Key advancements included a superior print engine and sophisticated font scaling capabilities. Its success influenced subsequent generations of printers, including the HP LaserJet 4 and beyond.

Development and release

Development occurred within Hewlett-Packard's Boise, Idaho division, a key site for its printer engineering. The project aimed to address limitations in the HP LaserJet Series II, particularly in print sharpness and font handling. It was officially announced and released to the market in March 1990. The launch was supported by a major marketing campaign highlighting its resolution enhancement technology.

Technical specifications

The printer featured a print resolution of 300 dots per inch, enhanced by proprietary resolution enhancement technology. It was powered by a Motorola 68000 series microprocessor and included 1 megabyte of standard random-access memory, expandable to 5 megabyte. It used the PCL 5 page description language and supported the PostScript language via an optional Adobe Systems cartridge. Standard connectivity included a Centronics parallel port and support for the AppleTalk network protocol.

Features and innovations

Its most celebrated innovation was resolution enhancement technology, which smoothed jagged edges on text and graphics. It also introduced intelligent font scaling through the PCL 5 language, allowing for outline font scaling from Adobe Systems and Bitstream. The printer supported a wide array of font cartridges and included improved paper handling with multiple input trays. These features made it a preferred choice for producing business documents and newsletters.

Software and compatibility

The device was compatible with major operating systems of the era, including Microsoft Windows 3.1, IBM OS/2, and Apple Macintosh systems. Hewlett-Packard provided drivers and utilities like the HP Font Installer for managing font cartridges and soft fonts. Its support for the PostScript language via an Adobe Systems cartridge made it ideal for applications like Aldus PageMaker and Microsoft Word. This broad compatibility ensured its integration into diverse corporate and publishing workflows.

Market impact and legacy

It enjoyed tremendous commercial success, becoming one of the best-selling laser printers of the early 1990s. The printer cemented Hewlett-Packard's reputation for reliability and innovation in the peripheral market. Its technologies became standard in subsequent models like the HP LaserJet 4 and influenced the entire industry. The device is often remembered as a pivotal product that brought near-typeset quality to the mainstream office equipment market.

Category:Laser printers Category:Hewlett-Packard products Category:1990 introductions