Apple’s foray into the laser printer market began with the introduction of the LaserWriter, marking a significant milestone in the company’s technology evolution. This printer, which was released on January 23, 1985, integrated Adobe’s PostScript technology, enabling users to produce high-quality text and graphics. However, its price of $6,995 made it a luxury item, accessible primarily to a select few.
Features and Impact of the LaserWriter
Despite the steep cost, the LaserWriter had a crucial feature that made ownership more manageable: AppleTalk support, allowing up to sixteen Macintosh computers to share a single printer. If all sixteen users contributed equally, the effective cost dropped to about $450 per person, a more reasonable sum compared to other laser printers on the market. This collaborative aspect broadened access to professional-grade printing for small businesses and independent artists.
Equipped with a Motorola 68000 CPU, the LaserWriter operated with greater speed than the original Macintosh, showcasing Apple’s most powerful processor at the time. This technical capability, alongside software like PageMaker and Macintosh’s graphical user interface, empowered smaller firms and individual creators to produce professional-quality print materials without the need for large-scale publishing resources.
Over the years, Apple expanded its printer lineup, introducing models like the LaserWriter Pro series and the more economical Personal LaserWriter. However, as competitors such as HP launched increasingly affordable alternatives, Apple struggled to keep pace. By 1997, under Steve Jobs’ leadership, the company decided to discontinue its printer line, recognizing that the sector was not a primary focus amidst fierce competition. Adjusted for inflation, the LaserWriter’s initial cost would equate to approximately $20,450 today, illustrating the high-value offering it represented at the time.
Reflecting on Apple’s venture into the printer market reveals the challenges it faced in a highly competitive landscape. While the LaserWriter played a pivotal role in democratizing printing technology, the company ultimately shifted its focus elsewhere as the technology landscape evolved.