Apple LaserWriter questions

From: Tony Duell <ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
Date: Wed Jun 9 18:41:12 2004

>
> As an alternative to DEC LPS, one other possibility I'm considering for
> a perfect PostScript printer would be an original Apple LaserWriter.

I would avoid the very first Laserwriter. It uses a CX engine, which is
very solid and well made, but getting toner cartridges for it is
non-trivial.

I use an Laserwriter II NT (SX engine). I'll make a few comments on that
below.


> But since I'm NULL in apples, I need some help.
>
> 1. Are all LaserWriters 100% pure PostScript printers, speaking nothing
> but PS? I know the very original one was, but I'm not sure about whatever
> happened later and whatever they make now.

The LW II NT has a DIablo 630 emulation mode (!), selected by DIP
switches. It's fairly useless. Apart from that, all it understands is
Postscript.

> 3. The original LaserWriter had a serial port. But given the assault on
> serial ports coming from all directions, I don't expect the current ones
> to have one, or do they? When was the last LaserWriter made with a serial

The LW II NT has a real RS232 port on a DB25 connector. It also has
Localtalk on the standard 8 pin miniDIN (this is technically a serial
port, but probably not what you meant). There is no parallel port.

> port? Was there ever a LaserWriter new enough to support duplex printing
> but old enough to have a serial port?
>
> 4. Are LaserWriter serial ports standard EIA-232 DB25 or something Apple
> proprietary? If the latter, what kind of adapter would I need to make?

It is DB25, buit the pinout is a little odd (IIRC the ready signal is on
pin 11, I can check the schematics if you end up with one). Wiring the
cable took a few minutes.

-tony
Received on Wed Jun 09 2004 - 18:41:12 BST