akcs.stealth@vpnet.chi.il.us (Jay Kreibich) (07/08/90)
Apple Computer will release its new LaserWriters on July 9.
On July 9th they will release the Personal LaserWriter nt, with the PL ntx
to follow soon after. Like the LaserWriter IIs, the drive system is the
same on both printers with the only difference being the board inside.
The case is roughly a square block about 12 inches high x 16 inches high x
20 inches deep. It has one SCSI port, a AppleTalk port, and possably a ADB
port. In the front there are access panals to get to the manual feed slot
and the main paper storage area, which is more of a drawer than the modular
pop-in bins, like on the LaserWriter IIs. The paper is drawn in the bottom
of the printer to the back where it is turned around and drawn forward over
the print drum then is turned around again comming out across the top. It
runs at around 4 ppm. Just like the IInt it is full postscript. It was
made for light/medium duty printing. It is rated at about 180,000 pages
before each overhaul (not more than 500 pages a month) vs. 300,000 pages of a
II.
Apple had the right idea, but messed up in the usual area: $. Though the
printer is designed for personal use, and is much smaller, the price is not.
The PLs will only be $800-$1000 less than their bigger brothers. Not a huge
difference, but it helps. They are also going to discontinue the
LaserWriter IIsc. (who the hell disigns a $3000+ NONpostscript laser
printer? Apple. Oh.)
Hope this helps anyone thats in the market for a Apple made laser printer.
"J" Kreibich
stealth@vpnet.chi.il.us