The LaserWriter 8500, introduced in August 1997, was the end of the line for Apple LaserWriters. Although Apple stopped introducing new printers in 1997 and discontinued most immediately, the 8500 remained available until January 1999.

The 8500 was built around a 20 ppm Fuji Xerox print engine and was the first LaserWriter to support double-sided (duplex) printing without a memory upgrade. It can print on paper as large as 13″ x 20″. It was one of the first printers to support Postscript Level 3.

Details

• introduced 1997.05 at $3,099; discontinued 1999.01
• CPU: 60 MHz AMD 29040
• ROM: 4 MB
• RAM: 16 MB, expandable to 48 MB using one 70ns 72-pin SIMM
• resolution: 600 dpi
• speed: 20 pages per minute, 8 in duplex mode
• engine: Fuji Xerox P880
• interfaces: LocalTalk, Ethernet, Parallel
• languages: PostScript Level 3, PCL 5?
• accessory port: none
• SCSI drive support: no
• size (H/W/D): 16.2″ x 23.2″ x 17.9″
• weight: 70.4 lb.
• power supply: 840W

Online Resources

• LaserWriter 8500 Specifications, Apple
• Apple’s Five Most Important Printers, Benj Edwards, Macworld
• LaserWriter 8500, IT Historical Society

Keywords: #laserwriter #laserwriter8500

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