ImageWriter

ImageWriter. The ImageWriter was a family of dot matrix printers manufactured by Apple Inc. beginning in 1983. Designed as the primary hardcopy output device for the Apple II series and early Macintosh computers, it became one of the most iconic and widely used printers of the home computer era. Its reliability, relatively low cost, and ability to produce graphics and text on fanfold paper made it a staple in schools, homes, and small businesses throughout the 1980s.

Overview

Introduced to replace the earlier Apple Dot Matrix Printer, the ImageWriter was engineered to be fully compatible with the graphical capabilities of Apple's burgeoning computer lineup. It quickly became the standard printer for the Apple IIe and was bundled with early Macintosh 128K systems, playing a crucial role in the concept of the desktop publishing revolution. The printer's ability to emulate the Apple Scribe Printer for letter-quality text and its support for bitmap graphics were significant advancements. Its success was closely tied to the walled garden of the Apple ecosystem, ensuring seamless integration with software like MacWrite and AppleWorks.

Hardware

The core of the ImageWriter's mechanism was a 9-wire print head that struck an inked ribbon against paper, a common technology in contemporary Epson and IBM printers. The original ImageWriter featured a sturdy die-cast metal chassis and a tractor feed mechanism designed for continuous perforated paper. It offered a maximum print resolution of 144 dots per inch horizontally and 160 DPI vertically, which was sufficient for rudimentary bar codes and block graphics. Key hardware interfaces included a proprietary parallel port connector for the Apple II series and a DB-25 serial port for connection to the Macintosh and other systems via RS-232 protocols.

Software and connectivity

Device control was managed through built-in firmware that interpreted commands from the host computer, primarily using the Apple Dot Matrix Printer language. For the Macintosh, system software included dedicated printer drivers that enabled WYSIWYG output from applications like Microsoft Word. The printer could be connected directly to the Apple Desktop Bus on later Macintosh SE models or through intermediary switch boxes. Third-party software, including utilities from CE Software and Berkeley Softworks, expanded its functionality for printing screen captures and specialized character sets, enhancing its utility beyond basic word processing.

Models and variants

The initial model, often retroactively called the ImageWriter I, was succeeded in 1985 by the ImageWriter II, which featured a more compact plastic design, optional color printing via a multicolored ribbon, and improved support for single-sheet paper through a friction feed platen. A less common variant, the ImageWriter LQ, was introduced in the late 1980s with a 24-wire print head for near-letter-quality text but saw limited market penetration against competitors like the LaserWriter. Specialized versions were also produced for international markets and specific institutional buyers, including configurations for the French Minitel system and educational networks.

Impact and legacy

The ImageWriter series is remembered as a defining peripheral of the 8-bit computing age and the early GUI period, solidifying Apple's reputation for integrated hardware and software. Its widespread adoption in American schools exposed a generation to computer printing, and its use in small offices facilitated the production of everything from newsletters to mailing labels. The printer's eventual decline was precipitated by the rise of inkjet printers from Hewlett-Packard and the increasing affordability of PostScript-based laser printers like the Apple LaserWriter. Today, the ImageWriter holds a notable place in the history of personal computing, often featured in collections at institutions like the Computer History Museum and remembered as a workhorse that brought digital creation into the physical world. Category:Apple Inc. hardware Category:Dot matrix printers Category:Computer peripherals introduced in 1983