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In 1993, Apple introduced a groundbreaking addition to its esteemed Apple Printer series—the LaserWriter Pro 810. This printer, designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple, quickly captured the attention of both consumers and professionals alike. With its advanced features and impressive performance, the LaserWriter Pro 810 left a lasting impact on Apple’s printer history.
Unveiled on October 1, 1993, the Apple LaserWriter Pro 810 revolutionized the Apple Printer series. Powered by a 7.25 MHz Weitek 8200 processor and equipped with a generous 3 MB of ROM, this printer boasted remarkable capabilities. Its printing resolution of up to 800 dots per inch (dpi) and printing speed of up to 20 pages per minute made it a formidable choice for those with demanding printing needs.
Connectivity was a key feature of the LaserWriter Pro 810. The printer offered a Serial connection, a LocalTalk port, and an Ethernet connection, allowing users to effortlessly connect to various devices. This flexibility made it an ideal choice for businesses and individuals requiring seamless printing from multiple sources.
Sadly, despite its popularity, the LaserWriter Pro 810 met its end on November 1, 1994, as Apple decided to discontinue its production. Today, this iconic printer celebrates its 29th anniversary, reminding us of its significant contribution to Apple’s printer legacy. While newer and more advanced models have since replaced the LaserWriter Pro 810, its impact remains undeniable.
The LaserWriter Pro 810 belonged to the LaserWriter series and was a large-format monochrome laser printer primarily targeting professional workgroups. Although Apple initially planned to release a lower-end version called the LaserWriter Pro 800, it never came to fruition.
This powerful printer featured a Fuji Xerox XP-20 print engine capable of printing at a remarkable resolution of 800 dpi. With a rated life of 600,000 pages, it could produce 20 pages per minute, ensuring efficient productivity. The LaserWriter Pro 810 used Dataproducts LZR 2080 toner cartridges, providing users with quality prints.
Equipped with a 7.25 MHz Weitek 8200 processor, the Apple LaserWriter Pro 810 could rasterize images from PostScript Level 2 or PCL 4+ printer data. Users had the flexibility to transmit data through a LocalTalk network to its RS-422 serial port or establish a direct connection to a PC using its RS-232 serial port.
Additionally, the printer supported EtherTalk or Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) networking over an internal Ethernet card, enabling faster data transfer. Users interested in faxing could even opt for an optional fax card, facilitating the sending, receiving, and printing of Group 3 faxes.
The LaserWriter Pro 810 offered a wide selection of included fonts, such as ITC Avant Garde, ITC Bookman, Courier, Delphian, ITC Garamond Narrow, Helvetica, and more. These fonts empowered users to add a touch of style and professionalism to their prints.
Measuring 19.5″ in height and weighing a substantial 81 lbs., the LaserWriter Pro 810 was designed to handle heavy use. With its three adjustable trays, each capable of supporting up to 250 sheets of 11″ x 17″ paper, this printer catered to diverse printing needs.
Although the LaserWriter Pro 810 has long been replaced by the LaserWriter 8500, its influence is still felt. Apple phased out support for the old AppleTalk-based EtherTalk protocol in Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard), emphasizing the company’s commitment to innovation and technological advancement.
The LaserWriter Pro 810 was not just a printer; it was a behemoth. Its unique ability to print pages “sideways” compared to most laser printers enabled it to effortlessly handle 11″ x 17″ paper, making it a versatile tool for large-format printing.
Furthermore, the LaserWriter Pro 810 utilized the lightning-fast Fuji Xerox XP 20 print engine, capable of printing at a staggering resolution of 800 dpi. The incorporation of the Weitek 8200 RISC processor, which was also used by HP in some of its printers, further enhanced the printer’s performance and reliability.
One noteworthy feature under Mac OS 8.x was the ability to send a print job to the LaserWriter Pro 810 and have it faxed directly from the printer itself. This unique functionality made it an excellent choice for workgroups, streamlining the faxing process without the need to print a hard copy and utilize a separate fax machine. Regrettably, this faxing support vanished with the introduction of Mac OS 9.
Today, 29 years after its original release the Apple LaserWriter Pro 810 may be a relic of the past, but its impact on the printing industry and Apple’s printer lineup cannot be understated. While technological advancements have propelled us into a new era of printing, let us take a moment to appreciate the contributions made by this remarkable printer. The LaserWriter Pro 810 will forever remain a testament to Apple’s commitment to delivering high-quality printing products that push the boundaries of innovation.
LaserWriter Pro 810 Details
| Introduced | October 1, 1993 |
| Discontinued | November 1, 1994 |
| Original Price | Unknown |
| Model Number | Unknown |
| Order Number | Unknown |
| Weight | 81 Ibs. 8.845 KG |
| Dimensions | 19.5” H x 20.5” W x 21.5” D 49.53 cm H x 52 cm W x 54.61 cm D |
Printer Specs
| Type | Electrophotography |
| Colors | 1 |
| Pages Per Minute | 20 |
| DPI | 800 |
| Language | PostScript Level 2 PCL 4+ |
| Cartridge | Unknown |
Hardware
| Processor | Weitek 8200 |
| Processor Speed | 7.25 MHz |
| ROM Size | 3 MB |
| Maximum Memory | 32 MB |
| Memory Slots | 3 – 72-pin SIMM |
| Minimum Speed | 80 ns |
Connections
| Connection | LocalTalk Serial Ethernet |
Power
| Maximum Continuous Power | 560 W |
Further Reading and References
- LaserWriter Pro 810: Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- LaserWriter Pro 810 – Low End Mac
- LaserWriter Pro 810 Service Technical Documentation (PDF) – Apple Repair Manuals
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Last updated: July 9, 2023