Editing ImageWriter (section)

==Original ImageWriter==
The first ImageWriter is a [[serial communication|serial]]-based [[dot matrix printer]] introduced by [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer]] in late 1983.

The printer was essentially a re-packaged 9-pin dot matrix printer from [[C. Itoh|C. Itoh Electronics]] (model C. Itoh 8510, with a modified ROM and pinout), released the same year. It was introduced as a replacement for the earlier [[parallel communication|parallel-based]] [[Apple Dot Matrix Printer]]/DMP (also a C. Itoh model) and, while primarily intended for the [[Apple II]], worked across Apple's entire computer product line. The ImageWriter could produce images as well as text, up to a resolution of 144 [[dots per inch|DPI]] and a speed of about 120  [[characters per second|CPS]] (characters per second). In text mode, the printer was logic-seeking, meaning it would print with the head moving in both directions while it would print only in one direction for graphics and Near Letter Quality. The ImageWriter was also supported by the original Macintosh computer, the [[Macintosh 128K]]. Apple wanted a graphical printer for the Mac, and had introduced the ImageWriter primarily to support the new machine. This permitted it to produce [[WYSIWYG]] output from the screen of the computer, which was an important aspect for promoting the concept of the [[Graphical user interface|GUI]] and, later, desktop publishing. The ImageWriter could be supported by [[Microsoft Windows]]-based PC's by using the included C. Itoh 8510 compatible driver.

The ImageWriter was succeeded by the [[ImageWriter II]] in late 1985.

A wider version of the ImageWriter, sold as ImageWriter 15", was introduced in January 1984. It allowed printing to 12" wide as well as to 15" wide paper. This version of ImageWriter remained in production for more than a year after the ImageWriter II was introduced. Production was eventually discontinued in January 1987.<ref name="iw15">{{Cite web |url=http://support.apple.com/kb/SP443 |title=ImageWriter (15"): Technical Specifications |access-date=May 12, 2014 |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927135608/https://support.apple.com/kb/SP443?locale=en_US |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Accessories===
In 1984 Thunderware introduced the ThunderScan, an optical scanner that was installed in place of the ImageWriter ribbon cartridge.<ref>{{cite web | last =Hertzfeld | first =Andy | year =1984 | url =http://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?project=Macintosh&story=Thunderscan.txt | title =Thunderscan | publisher =Folklore.org | access-date =June 1, 2006 | archive-date =May 5, 2006 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20060505221709/http://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?project=Macintosh&story=Thunderscan.txt | url-status =live }}</ref> With support for the Apple II and the Mac, the ThunderScan provided low cost grayscale scanning with moderate resolution and speed.

{{Infobox computer hardware
| name = ImageWriter II
| image = Imagewriter ii.jpg
| caption = 
| introduced = September 1985
| discontinued = Late 1996
| cost = US $595
| processor = 8 MHz
| frequency = 
| memory = 
| slots = AppleTalk or memory card (optional)
| rom = 64 KB
| ports = [[RS-422]] [[serial port|serial]] ([[Mini-DIN connector|Mini-DIN-8]] connector)
| type = [[Dot matrix printer|Dot matrix]]
| color = 4
| dpi = 160 × 144
| speed = 2-6 pages per minute
| power = 180 Watt
| weight = 25 lbs (original), 15 lbs (II/L)
| dimensions = (H × W × D) 5 × 17 × 12 in
}}