Hewlett-Packard LaserJet

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet. The Hewlett-Packard LaserJet is a line of laser printers introduced by the American technology corporation Hewlett-Packard in 1984. It was the first desktop laser printer marketed to the general public, bringing high-quality text and graphics printing to offices and eventually homes. The series is widely credited with popularizing laser printing technology and became a dominant product in the business printer market for decades, establishing Hewlett-Packard as a major force in the computer peripherals industry.

History

The first model, the HP LaserJet, was introduced in May 1984. It was based on the print engine from the Canon LBP-CX and was developed by a team at Hewlett-Packard's Boise division. This launch followed the earlier commercial laser printer, the Xerox 9700, but at a significantly lower price point, targeting the IBM PC and Apple Macintosh markets. A pivotal moment came in 1990 with the introduction of the HP LaserJet III, which featured Resolution enhancement technology and the scalable Intellifont system, dramatically improving print quality. Throughout the 1990s, under the leadership of executives like Carly Fiorina, the line expanded rapidly, with models like the HP LaserJet 4 becoming ubiquitous in corporate environments. The subsequent corporate split created HP Inc., which continues to develop and market the LaserJet line alongside products like the HP Spectre.

Technology and operation

The core technology of a LaserJet printer is the electrophotographic process, commonly known as laser printing. A key component is the imaging drum, which is typically supplied as part of a replaceable cartridge containing toner. The printer's controller uses a page description language to interpret data from a connected computer; early models used HP PCL (Printer Command Language), while later models added support for Adobe PostScript. The laser diode writes an electrostatic image onto the photosensitive drum, which then attracts the powdered toner. The toner is transferred and fused onto the paper using heat and pressure from the fuser assembly. This process, derived from technology pioneered by Chester Carlson and commercialized by Xerox, allows for fast, high-resolution output, distinct from the impact-based printing of dot matrix printers or the liquid-based mechanism of inkjet printers.

Product series and models

The LaserJet family has encompassed numerous series targeting different market segments. Early defining models included the original LaserJet and the HP LaserJet Series II. The professional-grade "LaserJet 4" series, including the HP LaserJet 4Si, set a benchmark for network printing in the 1990s. The "LaserJet 5" series introduced enhanced connectivity options. For small offices and home users, the "L" series, such as the 4L and 5L, were highly popular. Later, the lineup diversified into series like the monochrome HP LaserJet Pro and color HP Color LaserJet models. All-in-one multifunction devices, such as the HP LaserJet MFP series, integrated scanning and copying capabilities, competing directly with products from Canon, Brother, and Lexmark.

Market impact and legacy

The LaserJet had a profound impact on the information technology landscape, becoming synonymous with office printing and helping to drive the desktop publishing revolution alongside software like Adobe PageMaker and Aldus applications. Its reliability and the widespread adoption of HP PCL made it a de facto standard, influencing the development of printer drivers across multiple operating systems, including Microsoft Windows and various Unix environments. The printer's success was a cornerstone of Hewlett-Packard's profitability for years and significantly shaped the corporate culture of its Boise division. The brand has endured through the company's separation into HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, remaining a key product in the competitive global printer market against rivals like Xerox, Epson, and Samsung Electronics.

See also

* Xerox 9700 * HP DeskJet * Adobe PostScript * Page description language * Inkjet printing

Category:Laser printers Category:Hewlett-Packard hardware Category:American inventions Category:Boise, Idaho Category:1984 introductions