On October 1, 1991, Apple unveiled the LaserWriter IIg, an advanced addition to its Apple Printer series. This printer, manufactured and sold by Apple from 1991 to 1993, quickly gained popularity among professionals and businesses. Equipped with impressive specifications and connectivity options, the LaserWriter IIg left a lasting impact on the industry, despite its eventual discontinuation. Today, the LaserWriter IIg stands as a vintage piece of technology, serving as a reminder of Apple’s legacy of innovation.
The LaserWriter IIg boasted a 25 MHz Motorola 68030 processor, 2 MB of ROM, and a printing resolution of up to 300 dpi. With a single printing color and a speed of up to 8 pages per minute, it catered to the needs of professionals seeking high-quality prints. The printer featured a Serial connection port, a LocalTalk port, and an Ethernet connection, making it effortlessly compatible with a variety of devices and networks.
Building upon the advancements of its predecessor, the LaserWriter IIf and LaserWriter IIg introduced groundbreaking technologies to enhance print output. The inclusion of FinePrint significantly reduced jagged edges on text, while PhotoGrade provided support for over 65 levels of gray in the printed output. Moreover, the LaserWriter IIg utilized a more powerful CPU, a 25 MHz 68030, in comparison to the IIf’s 20 MHz processor.
The LaserWriter IIg was among the first printers to incorporate PostScript Level 2, an enhanced version of the page description language. This upgrade resulted in more efficient and powerful print processing. Additionally, the standard 5 MB of memory in the LaserWriter IIg could be expanded up to an impressive 32 MB, allowing users to handle larger print jobs with ease.
With its AAUI Ethernet, LocalTalk, and RS-232 interfaces, the LaserWriter IIg provided seamless connectivity options for users. The 10 Mbps Ethernet capability offered a significant improvement over LocalTalk, enabling faster print job transmission. However, it’s worth noting that the AAUI Ethernet port required an adapter to function with various types of Ethernet ports.
The LaserWriter IIg shared the same engine as its predecessor, the LaserWriter II family of printers. This compatibility allowed users to upgrade their older models by simply swapping in a LaserWriter IIf or IIg logic board. Additionally, the LaserWriter IIg featured a SCSI port, enabling the use of an external hard drive to store fonts, eliminating the need to send them over a LocalTalk network. The LaserWriter IIg also offered a comprehensive font set, including popular choices like Helvetica, Times Roman, and Courier.
Although the LaserWriter IIg was discontinued on May 1, 1993, a mere two years after its release, it remains a significant part of Apple’s history. Considered a vintage piece of technology today 32 years later, the LaserWriter IIg reflects Apple’s commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of what printers could achieve. Its powerful specifications, connectivity options, and font compatibility made it a preferred choice for professionals during its prime.
While the LaserWriter IIg might no longer be in production, its impact is undeniable. It serves as a testament to Apple’s dedication to developing cutting-edge technology and shaping the way we interact with printers. The LaserWriter IIg holds a special place in the hearts of technology enthusiasts, reminding us of the milestones Apple has achieved throughout its storied history.
LaserWriter IIg Details
| Introduced | October 1, 1991 |
| Discontinued | May 1, 1993 |
| Model Number | Unknown |
| Order Number | Unknown |
| Original Price | $4,599 |
| Weight | 45 Ibs. 20.411 KG |
| Dimensions | 8.7” H x 20.2” W x 18.7” D 22.1 cm H x 51.3 cm W x 47.5 cm D |
Printer Specs
| Type | Electrophotography |
| Colors | 1 |
| Pages Per Minute | 8 |
| DPI | 300 |
| Language | PostScript Level 2 PCL 4+ |
| Cartridge | M6002 |
Hardware
| Processor | Motorola 68030 |
| Processor Speed | 25 MHz |
| ROM Size | 2 MB |
| Maximum Memory | 32 MB |
| Memory Slots | 8 – 30-pin SIMMs |
| Minimum Speed | 80 ns |
Connections
| Connection | LocalTalk Serial Ethernet |
Power
| Maximum Continuous Power | 900 W |
Further Reading and References
- LaserWriter IIg: Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- LaserWriter IIg – Low End Mac
- LaserWriter – Wikipedia
Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from various sources based on their availability. The author of this article may revise this dataset as additional research is conducted and reviewed. Please note that the information is provided “as is” and “as available” without express or implied warranties. The author cannot be held responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies, or errors in the published information. Any warranties relating to this information are hereby disclaimed.
Last updated: May 22, 2023
