In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, certain products stand out as milestones that shape the course of innovation. One such product was the Apple Personal LaserWriter 300, which made its debut on June 1st, 1993. This compact monochrome laser printer from the LaserWriter series quickly became a revolutionary device, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in personal printing at the time.
The Personal LaserWriter 300 boasted impressive features for its era. With a printing resolution of up to 300 dots per inch (dpi) and a speed of up to 4 pages per minute, it was a considerable leap forward in home office printing capabilities. While the printer could only produce monochrome prints, it still represented a major advancement in the world of printing technology.
The printer’s design and performance were commendable, but what truly set it apart was its use of a Serial connection port. At a time when LocalTalk networking and PostScript support were becoming the norm, Apple decided to eliminate these features to reduce costs.
Instead, the Personal LaserWriter 300 relied on GrayShare software and a host Macintosh computer to enable networking. Additionally, it lacked a processor for rasterizing images, depending on the Mac to handle QuickDraw duties. This design choice allowed for a smaller enclosure and lower power consumption, but it also resulted in a shorter life expectancy for the printer.
The Personal LaserWriter 300’s release caused some confusion among consumers and tech enthusiasts alike. Earlier that same year, Apple had introduced its low-end LaserWriter Select line, which appeared to overlap with the Personal LaserWriter family. This overlap left many scratching their heads as to why Apple would compete with its own product lines.
Despite the confusion, the Personal LaserWriter 300 managed to find its niche in the market. It catered to users who sought a cost-effective printing solution for their home offices without the need for fancy color prints or advanced PostScript capabilities. For those who owned one, the printer is still fondly remembered as a nostalgic piece of tech history from a time when Apple was at the forefront of innovation in personal printing.
However, the reign of the Personal LaserWriter 300 was short-lived. Apple discontinued the printer on September 1, 1994, making way for newer and more advanced models to take its place. The 600-dpi LaserWriter 4/600 PS became its successor, offering higher resolution and improved printing capabilities.
As 31 years passed, the Personal LaserWriter 300 faded into obscurity. Yet, for those who experienced its unique design and witnessed its impact on the printing world, it remains a cherished relic of the past. The printer’s memory lives on as a testament to Apple’s ingenuity and willingness to experiment, even if some of those experiments led to overlapping product lines and, eventually, discontinuation.
Today, with cutting-edge printing technologies such as 3D printing and advanced color laser printers, it’s easy to overlook the humble beginnings of devices like the Personal LaserWriter 300. Still, it is essential to recognize and celebrate these early milestones that laid the foundation for the sophisticated printing solutions we enjoy today.
So, as we look back at the Personal LaserWriter 300, we can appreciate its place in history as a significant product in the evolution of printing technology, reminding us of Apple’s relentless pursuit of pushing the boundaries of what was possible with personal printers.
Personal LaserWriter 300 Details
| Introduced | June 1, 1993 |
| Discontinued | September 1, 1994 |
| Model Number | Unknown |
| Order Number | Unknown |
| Original Price | Unknown |
| Weight | 32 Ibs. 14.515 KG |
| Dimensions | 8” H x 15” W x 18.3” D 20.32 cm H x 38.1 cm W x 46.48 cm D |
Printer Specs
| Type | Electrophotography |
| Colors | 1 |
| Pages Per Minute | 4 |
| DPI | 300 |
| Language | QuickDraw |
| Cartridge | Apple M2045G/A HP 92274A |
Hardware
| Processor | None |
| Processor Speed | N/A |
| ROM Size | None |
| Maximum Memory | 0.5 MB |
| Memory Slots | None |
| Minimum Speed | N/A |
Connections
| Connection | Serial |
Power
| Maximum Continuous Power | 600 W |
Further Reading and References
- Personal LaserWriter 300: Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Personal LaserWriter 300 – Low End Mac
- Personal LaserWriter 300 & LaserWriter 4/600 PS Service Source (PDF) – Apple Repair Manuals
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: July 2, 2023
