newsuser@LU.Se (Lund Institute of Technology news server) (01/14/88)
LaserWriter II Family Introduced (1-3 of 3) Cupertino, California. January 14, 1988. Apple Computer, Inc. announced today the LaserWriter(R) II family of desktop laser printers, offering users a selection of printers that span the range of activities from general office printing to sophisticated desktop publishing. The LaserWriter IINTX, LaserWriter IINT and LaserWriter IISC, which replace the LaserWriter and LaserWriter Plus models, offer features ranging from improved print quality and high-speed output to networking and expansion capabilities. The modular design of the new printer family, based on the second-generation Canon printing engine, provides an easy and cost-effective method of upgrading the printers as users' needs grow. Three Family Members The LaserWriter IINTX, the personal computer industry's first Motorola 68020-based desktop laser printer, is a high-performance, 300 dot-per-inch (dpi), expandable laser printer with networking capabilities and a PostScript (R) interpreter. PostScript is the industry standard page description language by Adobe Systems Incorporated. The printer's high-throughput capabilities, as well as memory, font expansion card and small computer systems interface (SCSI) hard-disk drive expansion options, provide for even greater printing throughput and virtually unlimited font storage. The LaserWriter IINT is Apple's mainstream, 300 dpi laser printer, offering improved print quality and more memory than the LaserWriter Plus, formerly the top of Apple's line of printers. The LaserWriter IINT also offers networking capabilities and PostScript functionality. The LaserWriter IISC is an entry-level, single-user laser printer, offering 300 dpi full-page text and graphics. This affordable laser printer for individual users can be easily and cost-effectively upgraded to the LaserWriter IINT or the LaserWriter IINTX. The "NTX" in the LaserWriter IINTX name refers to Networking and Expansion capabilities; "NT" in the LaserWriter IINT name refers to Networking capabilities; and "SC" in the LaserWriter IISC name refers to the SCSI interface. The LaserWriter II family works with the Macintosh(R) Plus, Macintosh SE and Macintosh II personal computers. In addition, the LaserWriter IINTX and the LaserWriter IINT are compatible with the Apple IIGS(R) when using applications that can produce PostScript output. MS-DOS or OS/2 users can also use the LaserWriter IINTX and the LaserWriter IINT by using applications that can produce PostScript output, through the LocalTalk(TM) Card or through the emulation modes the printers provide. "Our increasing success in business, government and education stems not only from the acceptance of the Macintosh, but also of LaserWriter printers and their expanding use as general-purpose productivity tools," said Chuck Boesenberg, Apple senior vice president, U.S. sales and marketing. "The introduction of the new family of LaserWriter II printers underscores Apple's commitment to continue its role as worldwide leader in desktop publishing, while at the same time providing high-quality printing for a full range of general office printing needs." Modular Architecture Modular architecture distinguishes the LaserWriter II family. All three printers share a common platform, the Canon LBP-SX second-generation printing engine, which offers darker blacks, higher reliability, longer lifespan and enhanced paper handling capabilities. The printers can be upgraded at authorized Apple dealers simply by changing controller boards, thus preserving the user's investment in the engine. "Coupled with Macintosh computers, the new LaserWriter II printers raise the standard for system integration, giving Apple's users the most easy-to-use, high-performance personal computer system technology available, "said Jean-Louis Gassee, Apple senior vice president, research and development. "Apple sets a new standard in laser printing with the introduction of the Motorola 68020-based LaserWriter IINTX, once again delivering on its promise to make the most powerful products available to users. With the introduction of the LaserWriter II family, Apple is delivering a wide range of completely upgradeable LaserWriter printers." LaserWriter IINTX The LaserWriter IINTX meets the high-performance, high-volume needs of workgroups and is also capable of sophisticated text and graphics required by graphic design professionals. Built around the Motorola 68020 microprocessor running at 16 megahertz, the LaserWriter IINTX is up to four times faster than Apple's former top-of-the-line laser printer, the LaserWriter Plus. The LaserWriter IINTX includes a PostScript interpreter which is used to generate sophisticated text and graphics. Standard LaserWriter IINTX features include 1 megabyte (MB) of read-only-memory (ROM), 2MB of random-access-memory (RAM), 35 standard typefaces, and built-in support for sharing the printer on AppleTalk(R) networks. The LaserWriter IINTX has three expansion options--additional ROM, expanded RAM and the capability to attach SCSI hard-disk drives. Font expansion cards, to be offered by third parties, can be installed directly in a single slot on the controller board, increasing the number of high-speed ROM resident fonts in the printer. Because fonts can include any custom graphic, font expansion cards can also be used to store graphics, such as company logos and trademarks. Internal RAM can be expanded from the standard 2MB, up to 12. Adding memory increases the capacity for downloaded typeface fonts and font caching, a method of storing images made of individual dots called bitmaps in memory for future use. This significantly reduces the time required for page processing. Memory upgrades also improve print times because the LaserWriter IINTX can print a page while beginning to process the next page. One or more SCSI hard-disk drives can also be attached directly to the printer. A hard disk improves speed because it can be used to permanently store an almost unlimited number of fonts that can be downloaded from the Macintosh. The LaserWriter IINTX also caches, or stores, bitmaps of fonts on the hard disk. The LaserWriter IINTX provides an RS-232 serial port for connection to a host computer. The printer also offers Diablo 630(R) emulation mode and Hewlett-Packard LaserJet Plus(R) emulation mode, insuring compatibility with two of the most popular MS-DOS and OS/2 print drivers. LaserWriter IINT A higher-performance laser printer, yet lower-priced than the Apple LaserWriter Plus(R), the LaserWriter IINT offers users the versatility to perform a variety of productivity and publishing tasks from correspondence to complex newsletters and presentations. The LaserWriter IINT also has networking capabilities that allow workgroups and small businesses to share the printer. The LaserWriter IINT also offers the latest version of PostScript, 1 MB of ROM and 2 MB of RAM--1/2 MB more RAM than the LaserWriter and LaserWriter Plus. The extra memory improves speed and adds room for downloading fonts. The LaserWriter IINT incorporates the Motorola 68000 microprocessor, 35 standard typefaces, and built-in support for sharing the printer on AppleTalk networks. A built-in Diablo 630 emulation mode allows MS-DOS and OS/2 compatibility, and an RS-232 serial port allows connection to a host computer. LaserWriter IISC The entry-level LaserWriter IISC, for individual Macintosh users, meets office productivity and basic desktop publishing needs, including correspondence, memos, presentations and reports. It is also suited for single users or small businesses that require high-quality output, but don't require networking or more advanced text and graphics capabilities. Sharply defined text and full-page graphics are created internally in the Macintosh, using the QuickDraw graphic routines that reside inside every Macintosh. The LaserWriter IISC incorporates the Motorola 68000 and has 1 MB of RAM, required for imaging a full page of text and graphics at 300-dpi resolution while maintaining high-speed throughput. Brand-name typefaces, Times(R), Helvetica(R), Courier and Symbol are included on disks sold with the printer in sizes ranging from 9 through 24 point. A SCSI interface provides high-speed data transfer capabilities for fast printing and the flexibility for daisy-chaining up to six additional SCSI peripheral devices. Second-Generation Print Engine Offers Many Improvements The LaserWriter II print engine, based on the Canon LBP-SX, is an eight page-per-minute, 300-dpi print engine. Its 300,000 page-rated lifespan is triple that of the LaserWriter and LaserWriter Plus, known for their reliability. The new engine also offers darker blacks and a 33 percent longer-life toner cartridge than previous LaserWriter printers. The print engine offers all members of the LaserWriter II family improved paper handling capabilities. A removable paper tray lets users choose either a 200-sheet letter tray, a legal size tray or an envelope tray with a capacity of 15 envelopes. It also features a manual feed slot, which is adjustable from standard letter width to envelope width. The standard face-down output bin offers forward collation of up to 100 pages, and an alternative face-up output tray provides a complete straight-through paper path for heavier-gauge paper. The LaserWriter II weighs only 45 pounds, 23 pounds less than the original LaserWriter printers. Price and Availability The LaserWriter IINT is available in January and the LaserWriter IINTX and LaserWriter IISC will be available in February. The suggested retail price of the LaserWriter IINTX is $6,599, the LaserWriter IINT is $4,599 and the LaserWriter IISC is $2,799. Suggested prices for upgrades are as follows: LaserWriter IISC to the LaserWriter IINT, $2,099; LaserWriter IINT to the LaserWriter IINTX, $2,499; and LaserWriter IISC to the LaserWriter IINTX, $4,299. All members of the LaserWriter II family are available through authorized Apple dealers, value-added resellers and Apple's direct sales force. The LaserWriter and LaserWriter Plus will be discontinued. However, Apple will continue to service and support these printers. Future revisions of system software print drivers will support the installed base of LaserWriter and LaserWriter Plus. Apple, the Apple Logo, Macintosh, LaserWriter, Apple IIGS, and AppleTalk are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. LocalTalk is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. PostScript is a registered tradeMark of Adobe Systems, Incorporated. Helvetica and Times are registered trademarks of Linotype Co. Hewlett-Packard and LaserJet are registered trademarks of the Hewlett-Packard Corporation. Diablo is a registered trademark of Diablo Systems, a subsidiary of the Xerox Corporation. Canon is a trademark of Canon, Inc. -- ---------- Roland Mansson, Dept of Comp Sc, Lund University, Box 118, S-221 00 Lund, Sweden Phone +46-46109640 (work), +46-46111539 (home) USENET:roland@dna.lu.se BITNET:LTHLIB@SELDC52 AppleLink:IT0073