Editing ImageWriter (section)

==ImageWriter II==
The ImageWriter II is a [[serial communication|serial]] based [[dot matrix printer]] that was manufactured by [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer]], which supported its entire computer product line when it was released in September 1985. It had several optional add-ons available, including: a plug-in network card, buffer memory card, and motorized sheet feeder. It also supported color printing with an appropriate ribbon. The codename for the ImageWriter II was "Express"<ref name=appleconfidential>{{cite book 
| first=Owen W.
| last=Linzmayer
| title=Apple Confidential 2.0
| pages=53–54
| isbn=978-1-59327-010-0
| year = 2004
| publisher = [[No Starch Press]]
| url=https://archive.org/details/appleconfidentia0000linz 
| url-access=registration
}}</ref>

''[[Compute!]]'' reported in 1989 that many believed that the ImageWriter II was inferior to its predecessor. The magazine stated that the first ImageWriter was sturdier, handled paper better, and had better print in most cases.<ref name="keizer198908">{{cite magazine | url=https://archive.org/stream/1989-08-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_111_1989_Aug#page/n57/mode/2up | title=Older Is Better | magazine=Compute! | volume=11 | issue=8 #111 | date=August 1989 | access-date=11 November 2013 | last=Keizer |first=Gregg | pages=56}}</ref>

=== Features ===
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 [[Mac (computer)|Mac]] 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 [[dither]]ing.

The ImageWriter II has three ASCII text-quality modes:
#''NLQ'' (near-letter-quality) at 45 [[characters per second|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. (magazine)|I.D.]] Design Review and Silver [[International Design Excellence Awards]],<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Vista/7228/image.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991110015921/http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Vista/7228/image.html |archive-date=10 November 1999 |title=Vintage Mac Club's ImageWriter II page}}</ref> making it the first desktop printer to receive such approbation.

=== Add-on accessories ===

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.

=== Revisions ===

* The original Imagewriter II (1985) closely followed Apple's [[Snow White design language|Snow white design]] introduced with the [[Apple IIc]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.landsnail.com/apple/local/design/apple2c.html | title=History of computer design: Apple IIc | access-date=August 24, 2011 | archive-date=September 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906020449/http://www.landsnail.com/apple/local/design/apple2c.html | url-status=live }}<!-- Bot generated title --></ref> 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 [[Random-access memory|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 [[switched-mode power supply|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.{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}}

Despite the introduction of the [[inkjet printing|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.{{Citation needed|date=May 2017}}

===In popular culture===
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/5060-a-spectrum-of-infinite-scale/|title=Man or Astro-Man? ''A Spectrum of Infinite Scale''|last1=Schreiber|first1=Ryan|date=5 September 2000|website=Pitchfork|access-date=1 March 2016|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307165945/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/5060-a-spectrum-of-infinite-scale/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Infobox computer hardware
| name = ImageWriter LQ
| image = Apple ImageWriter LQ.jpg
| caption = 
| introduced = August 1987
| discontinued = December 1990
| cost = $1,399 USD
| processor = 
| frequency = 
| memory = 
| slots = 
| rom = 
| ports = [[Serial port|Serial]], [[SCSI]]
| type = [[Dot matrix printer|Dot matrix]]
| color = 1 (4 optional)
| dpi = 216
| speed = 0.3 Pages Per Minute
| power = 180 Watt
| 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]]."