LaserWriter

LaserWriter. It was a groundbreaking laser printer introduced by Apple Inc. in 1985, becoming a cornerstone of the desktop publishing revolution. Distinguished by its integration of Adobe PostScript, it enabled high-quality text and graphics output directly from personal computers like the Apple Macintosh. Its success established new standards in office and design workflows, cementing the importance of WYSIWYG computing.

Overview

The device was not merely a printer but a sophisticated raster image processor powered by its own Motorola 68000 central processing unit and Adobe PostScript interpreter. This allowed it to produce typeset-quality documents with complex vector graphics and multiple fonts, a capability previously restricted to expensive professional typesetting systems. Its introduction alongside Aldus PageMaker on the Macintosh 512K created a complete publishing solution. This synergy empowered small businesses, designers, and publishers to produce catalogs, newsletters, and reports in-house. The printer's reliability and output quality made it an instant success in environments ranging from corporate offices to universities.

Development and release

Development began at Apple Inc. under the leadership of engineers like John Sculley, aiming to create a premium peripheral for the Macintosh platform. A critical partnership was formed with Adobe Systems, founded by John Warnock and Chuck Geschke, to license the nascent PostScript page description language. This collaboration ensured the printer could handle complex page layouts with precise typography. Announced in January 1985 and shipped in March, its launch was strategically timed with the release of the Macintosh Office suite vision. While initially expensive, its capabilities justified the cost for professional users, setting it apart from contemporary dot-matrix and daisy-wheel printers from companies like Epson and IBM.

Technical specifications

At its core was a 12 MHz Motorola 68000 microprocessor, identical to the one in the original Macintosh 128K, paired with 1.5 MB of RAM and 1 MB of ROM containing the PostScript interpreter. It featured a print resolution of 300 dots per inch and a printing speed of eight pages per minute. Connectivity was provided primarily through the built-in AppleTalk network port, allowing it to be shared among multiple Macintosh computers, a novel feature at the time. An optional RS-232 serial port module was available for connection to IBM PC compatible computers or other systems. The printing mechanism was based on a Canon CX engine, similar to that used in the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet, but the advanced RIP and software gave it vastly superior graphical capabilities.

Impact and legacy

Its impact on the graphic design and publishing industries was profound, serving as the hardware engine for the desktop publishing revolution. The combination of the Macintosh, Aldus PageMaker, and this printer democratized typesetting and layout, severely disrupting traditional phototypesetting companies like Linotype. It established Adobe PostScript as the de facto standard for professional digital printing and cemented Apple Inc.'s reputation in creative markets. The device's success also spurred competition, leading to the wider adoption of PostScript clones and PCL-based printers from Hewlett-Packard. Its legacy is evident in the continued importance of PostScript and PDF in modern printing workflows and the enduring ecosystem of Adobe Creative Suite applications.

Models

The original model, often called the LaserWriter, was succeeded by the LaserWriter II series in 1988, which included the LaserWriter IINT, LaserWriter IINTX, and LaserWriter IIg. These successors offered enhanced performance, more memory, and support for new AppleTalk protocols. Other notable models in the family included the lower-cost LaserWriter SC, which used a less expensive controller, and the LaserWriter 12/640 PS. The product line eventually evolved to include the LaserWriter Pro series and color models like the LaserWriter 12/660 PS. Production of Apple Inc.-branded laser printers ceased in the 1990s as the market became commoditized, but the foundational technology lived on in printers from manufacturers like Canon and Xerox.

Category:Apple Inc. hardware Category:Laser printers Category:Desktop publishing Category:1985 introductions