ImageWriter

In 1984 Thunderware introduced the ThunderScan, an optical scanner that was installed in place of the ImageWriter ribbon cartridge.[2] With support for the Apple II and the Mac, the ThunderScan provided low cost grayscale scanning with moderate resolution and speed.

ImageWriter II

Introduced	September 1985
Discontinued	Late 1996
Cost	US $595
Type	Dot matrix
Processor	8 MHz
Slots	AppleTalk or memory card (optional)
ROM	64 KB
Ports	RS-422 serial (Mini-DIN-8 connector)
Power consumption	180 Watt
Color	4
DPI	160 × 144
Speed	2-6 pages per minute
Weight	25 lbs (original), 15 lbs (II/L)
Dimensions	(H × W × D) 5 × 17 × 12 in

The ImageWriter II, like its predecessor, used a 9-pin C. Itoh mechanism. However, the ImageWriter II was significantly faster in draft mode, where it could print 250 characters per second. Color images and text could be produced by using a color ribbon, and eight colors were supported by the original version of QuickDraw on the Macintosh despite running on a monochrome platform. On the Apple II, complex full-color graphics could be printed. Used with the appropriate software, the ImageWriter II could produce color images with potentially hundreds of simulated colors through dithering.

The ImageWriter II offered three ASCII text-quality modes:

• NLQ (near-letter-quality) at 45 CPS, a feature for very high text quality on the Apple II platform or for improved draft printing quality on the Macintosh platform.
• Standard (Correspondence) mode at 180 CPS, providing average-quality text.
• Draft mode at 250 CPS, the fastest output but at the lowest quality level.

In addition to having the same ASCII and European-language characters found in the original ImageWriter, the ImageWriter II added 32 MouseText characters.

The ImageWriter II was designed in accordance with Apple's Snow White design language. In 1986, it received the I.D. Design Review and Silver International Design Excellence Awards,[5] making it the first desktop printer to receive such approbation.

The printer had an expansion socket under the front cover which could accommodate either Apple's AppleTalk network card or 32K memory buffer card, but not both at the same time. Sequential Systems produced a 2-in-1 solution card that combined both features into one card, as well as larger memory buffer cards up to 1 MB. With an optional AppleTalk networking card installed, it was a low-cost alternative to the vastly more expensive LaserWriter. Another third-party innovation was an add-on peripheral called the ThunderScan, which allowed the printer to work as a low-cost optical scanner (in which the scanner mechanism temporarily replaced the ink ribbon cartridge).

The ImageWriter II also supported an optional motorized sheet feeder that could feed cut-sheet paper.

• The original Imagewriter II (1985) closely followed Apple's Snow white design introduced with the Apple IIc,[6] and was one of the few peripherals that matched its creamy off-white color scheme known at Apple as Fog. This model is recognizable for being white in color and not having the product name on the front cover. There were many ROM revisions produced for this and later ImageWriter IIs, made visible through a self-test (pressing the form feed button while turning the ImageWriter on, then releasing both buttons simultaneously; the printer would then print the ROM version as well as dipswitch settings). The printer came with a small built-in 2K RAM memory buffer, with option to expand.
• The second ImageWriter II (1986) changed to the standard warm-grey Apple "Platinum" color. This model is not only recognizable for being light grey in color, but for having the product name printed beside the rainbow Apple logo. It was introduced at roughly the same time as the Apple IIGS in late 1986, to match its then-new Platinum color scheme which was later adopted by all other computers at Apple.
• The third revision, the ImageWriter II/L (1990) as it was known internally, offered some slight design improvements. The internal power source changed to a switching power supply, reducing the overall weight of the printer by 10 pounds. As a result of the change, power and serial interface ports were moved from the legs to either ends of the tractor-feed housing. This model also increased the built-in buffer memory to 24K RAM, eliminating the need for the memory-expansion option. The expansion socket was still present for supporting an optional AppleTalk network card.

The ImageWriter II was compatible with Microsoft Windows-based computers using the operating systems' included C-Itoh 8510 driver, while color support was available through third-party drivers. The only requirement was an available serial port and appropriate interface cable.

Despite the introduction of the inkjet StyleWriter in 1991, the ImageWriter II kept selling. It continued in production until late 1996, making it the longest-running Apple product in history.

On the 2000 album A Spectrum of Infinite Scale, surf-rock band Man or Astro-man? included the song "A Simple Text File". The song is a recording of the sound of an ImageWriter II printing a carefully crafted file.[7]

ImageWriter LQ

Introduced	August 1987
Discontinued	December 1990
Cost	$1,399 USD
Type	Dot matrix
Ports	Serial, SCSI
Power consumption	180 Watt
Color	1 (4 optional)
DPI	216
Speed	0.3 Pages Per Minute
Weight	38 lbs
Dimensions	(H × W × D) 5.12 × 23.2 × 15 in

An ImageWriter can also be seen the music video for Marilyn Manson's "The Dope Show."