Apple Personal LaserWriter 300

Apple Personal LaserWriter 300
Apple Personal LaserWriter 300 (1993)
Manufacturer	Apple Computer, Inc.
Type	Laser printer
Discontinued	September 1, 1994
Price	US$1,299 (1993 retail)
Interface	RS-422 serial (Mini-DIN-8)
Compatible	Macintosh with serial port
Dimensions	6.3" H × 15.2" W × 14.9" D
Weight	15.4 lbs (7 kg)
Model	M2001
Power	360W maximum

The Apple Personal LaserWriter 300 was a compact monochrome laser printer released in June 1993 for the home office market. Model M2001 eliminated PostScript support and LocalTalk networking to achieve a retail price of US$1,299, relying instead on the host Macintosh's QuickDraw to rasterize pages. The printer utilized a Canon LBP-PX print engine capable of 4 pages per minute at 300 dpi with a rated life of 100,000 pages. Data transfer occurred via RS-422 serial connection at 57.6 kbps using Apple's proprietary compression algorithms. The printer included GrayShare software that enabled network sharing through a host Macintosh, though this required the host machine to remain powered on. Production ended in September 1994 when Apple introduced the 600 dpi LaserWriter 4/600 PS.

Technical Specifications

Physical Specifications

• Dimensions: 6.3" H × 15.2" W × 14.9" D (160 × 386 × 378 mm)
• Weight: 15.4 lbs (7 kg)
• Operating temperature: 50°F to 90°F (10°C to 32°C)
• Humidity: 20% to 80% non-condensing
• Acoustic noise: 42 dBA operating, 35 dBA standby

Performance

• Print speed: 4 pages per minute maximum
• Resolution: 300 × 300 dpi
• First page out: Approximately 30 seconds
• Engine life: 100,000 pages rated
• Duty cycle: 2,000 pages per month recommended

Power Requirements

• Input voltage: 90-126V AC (North America), 220-240V AC (International)
• Frequency: 50-60 Hz
• Power consumption: 360W maximum, 120W average printing
• Standby power: 25W typical
• Auto power-save mode: Automatic after 15 minutes idle

System Architecture

Controller Design

The Personal LaserWriter 300 employed an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) controller rather than a general-purpose microprocessor, significantly reducing costs compared to PostScript models.

Controller Specifications:

• Type: Custom Apple ASIC
• Function: Bitmap reception and decompression only
• Processing: No page description language interpretation
• Compression: Apple custom compression algorithms

Memory Configuration:

• Standard RAM: 512 KB physical
• Virtual buffer: 2 MB equivalent using compression
• Memory type: DRAM
• Expansion: None possible
• Frame buffer: Compressed bitmap storage

QuickDraw Printing Architecture

The Personal LaserWriter 300 relied entirely on the host Macintosh for page rendering:

Printing Process:

1. Application sends QuickDraw commands to printer driver
2. Driver renders page to bitmap on Macintosh
3. Bitmap compressed using Apple algorithms
4. Compressed data transmitted via serial port
5. Printer decompresses and prints bitmap directly

Host Requirements:

• Macintosh performs all rasterization
• Requires significant CPU time during printing
• Memory intensive on host machine
• Background printing impacts system performance

Data Interface

Serial Specifications:

• Interface: RS-422 serial
• Connector: Mini-DIN-8 female
• Data rate: 57.6 kbps maximum
• Protocol: Apple proprietary compressed bitmap
• Flow control: Hardware handshaking
• Cable length: 6 feet standard, 25 feet maximum

The 57.6 kbps transfer rate was significantly slower than LocalTalk's 230.4 kbps, creating a bottleneck for complex pages with graphics or multiple fonts.

Print Engine

Canon LBP-PX Engine

The Personal LaserWriter 300 utilized Canon's compact LBP-PX engine, shared with several HP LaserJet models:

Engine Specifications:

• Technology: Laser xerography
• Photosensitive drum: Organic photoconductor (OPC)
• Laser type: Semiconductor laser diode
• Developer system: Single-component magnetic toner
• Fusing: Heat roller with pressure roller
• Paper path: C-shaped path with manual feed option

Engine Components:

• Scanner unit: Rotating polygon mirror
• Transfer corona: Wire-type transfer system
• Fuser assembly: 180°C operating temperature
• Drum unit: Integrated with toner cartridge

Consumables

Toner Cartridge:

• Apple part number: M2037G/A
• Compatible cartridges: HP 92274A (HP 74A), Canon EP-L
• Yield: 3,350 pages at 5% coverage
• Drum life: Integrated drum replaced with cartridge
• Shelf life: 2 years unopened

The printer accepted HP LaserJet 4L/4ML cartridges, providing economical third-party options.

Paper Handling

Input Capacity

Standard Paper Cassette:

• Capacity: 100 sheets of 20 lb bond paper
• Paper sizes: US Letter, A4, US Legal, Executive
• Paper weight: 16-28 lb bond (60-105 g/m²)
• Adjustment: Sliding backstop for different sizes

Manual Feed Slot:

• Capacity: Single sheet feed
• Media types: Plain paper, transparencies, envelopes, labels
• Envelope sizes: Com-10, Monarch, DL, C5
• Special media: Supports heavier stock up to 32 lb bond

Output Specifications

• Output tray: 50-sheet capacity face-down
• Stacking: Face-down, correct page order
• Overflow protection: Sensor stops printing at capacity

Media Specifications

Supported Paper Sizes

Size	Dimensions	Printable Area
US Letter	8.5 × 11 inches	8.0 × 10.5 inches
US Legal	8.5 × 14 inches	8.0 × 13.5 inches
A4	210 × 297 mm	200 × 287 mm
Executive	7.25 × 10.5 inches	6.75 × 10 inches

Software and Drivers

GrayShare Technology

GrayShare was Apple's software solution for sharing QuickDraw printers without hardware networking:

GrayShare Features:

• Network sharing: Printer appears on AppleTalk network
• Host control: Owner can enable/disable sharing
• Queue management: Basic print queue handling
• Grayscale printing: Enhanced halftoning for graphics
• Image scaling: Automatic page scaling options

GrayShare Limitations:

• Host Mac must remain powered on
• Host performance impacted during printing
• No PostScript support
• Limited to Mac OS 9 and earlier
• Not compatible with Mac OS X

Driver Requirements

System Requirements:

• Minimum OS: System 6.0.7
• Recommended: System 7.0 or later
• RAM: 1 MB minimum, 4 MB recommended
• Hard disk: Required for virtual memory
• Driver: LaserWriter 300 Chooser extension

Font Support:

• System 6: Requires Adobe Type Manager for scalable fonts
• System 7+: Native TrueType support
• Bitmap fonts: Scaled by host, quality varies
• PostScript fonts: Not supported

Included Fonts

The Personal LaserWriter 300 shipped with 39 TrueType fonts from the following families:

• Avant Garde
• Bookman
• Chicago
• Courier
• Geneva
• Helvetica
• Helvetica Narrow
• Monaco
• New Century Schoolbook
• New York
• Palatino
• Symbol
• Times
• Zapf Chancery
• Zapf Dingbats

Diagnostic Features

Status Indicators

The Personal LaserWriter 300 used three LED indicators on the front panel:

LED Status Indicators

LED	Color	Status	Meaning
Ready	Green	Solid	Ready to print
Ready	Green	Blinking	Processing data
Paper Out	Amber	Solid	Paper cassette empty
Paper Out	Amber	Blinking	Manual feed required
Error	Red	Solid	Service required
Error	Red	Blinking	Paper jam or door open

Self-Test Mode

Unlike the Personal LaserWriter 320, the 300 lacked Power-On Self Test (POST) capability and diagnostic mode. Testing required:

• Print test page from Chooser
• Visual inspection of print quality
• Manual verification of mechanical operation

Common Error States

• No lights: Power supply failure or unplugged
• All lights on: Controller failure
• Continuous red blinking: Print engine problem
• Amber and red alternating: Communication error

Personal LaserWriter 300 Troubleshooting

M2001 LED Error Codes

The Personal LaserWriter 300 uses three front-panel LEDs without the diagnostic capabilities of the 320 model. Understanding the specific patterns is critical for troubleshooting.

Personal LaserWriter 300 LED Patterns

Ready (Green)	Paper Out (Amber)	Paper Jam (Red)	Condition	Action Required
Solid	Off	Off	Normal ready state	None - printer operational
Blinking	Off	Off	Processing QuickDraw data	Wait - normal operation
Off	Solid	Off	Cassette empty	Load 100-sheet cassette
Off	Blinking	Off	Manual feed waiting	Insert single sheet
Off	Off	Solid	Paper jam detected	Clear jam, check sensors
Off	Solid	Solid	Jam with empty cassette	Load paper and clear jam
All blinking	Sequential pattern		ASIC controller failure	Replace controller board
All off	No lights		No power to controller	Check 360W power supply

Note: Unlike the 320 model, the 300 lacks POST (Power-On Self Test) and cannot enter diagnostic mode with a loopback cable.

Canon LBP-PX Engine Specific Issues

The Personal LaserWriter 300's Canon LBP-PX engine has unique characteristics compared to the LBP-LX used in the LS model:

LBP-PX Engine Troubleshooting

Problem	LBP-PX Specific Cause	Test Method	Solution
Light print at 4 ppm	Insufficient fuser dwell time	Print single pages slowly	Allow warm-up between pages
Toner smearing	Lower fuser temperature (180°C)	Test with HP 74A cartridge	Use genuine toner only
Paper curl	Compact C-shaped paper path	Try different paper weights	Use 20 lb paper
Envelope wrinkling	Fixed fuser pressure	Manual feed one at a time	Pre-crease envelopes
First page light	30-second warm-up time	Wait before printing	Normal for LBP-PX
100K page limit	Smaller drum diameter	Check page counter	Plan replacement at 90K

Personal LaserWriter 300 Paper Sensors

The M2001 uses three specific sensors in the Canon LBP-PX engine:

PS302 - Registration Sensor:

• Location: Entry to print engine after pickup roller
• Function: Detects manual feed presence and pickup timing
• Failure mode: Constant manual feed prompt
• Test: Insert paper slowly, listen for click
• Cleaning: Cotton swab with 99% isopropyl alcohol

PS303 - Winding Sensor:

• Location: Between drum unit and fuser entry
• Function: Monitors paper transfer from drum
• Timing: 2.5 seconds from PS302 activation
• Failure mode: False jam after drum
• Test: Check actuator flag movement

PS301 - Delivery Sensor:

• Location: Fuser exit before output tray
• Function: Confirms successful fusing
• Timing: 4 seconds from print start
• Failure mode: Jam indication after printing
• Service: Clean sensor window and flag

QuickDraw-Specific Print Problems

Since the Personal LaserWriter 300 relies entirely on QuickDraw rendering:

QuickDraw Printing Issues

Symptom	Host Mac Issue	300-Specific Cause	Resolution
Garbled output	Insufficient host RAM	512KB buffer overflow	Add RAM to Mac (4MB min)
Slow printing	Complex graphics	57.6 kbps bottleneck	Simplify documents
Missing fonts	No ATM/TrueType	Bitmap scaling only	Install System 7 or ATM
Partial pages	Serial buffer overflow	ASIC can't decompress fast	Reduce resolution in driver
White pages	Driver not loaded	LaserWriter 300 extension missing	Reinstall from original disk
Timeout errors	Background printing	GrayShare conflict	Disable background printing

RS-422 Serial Communication Faults

The Personal LaserWriter 300's 57.6 kbps serial connection has specific failure points:

Mini-DIN-8 Pinout (M2001 Specific):

• Pin 1: HSK Out (Hardware handshake)
• Pin 2: HSK In (Required for 300)
• Pin 3: TxD- (Transmit data minus)
• Pin 4: Ground
• Pin 5: RxD- (Receive data minus)
• Pin 6: TxD+ (Transmit data plus)
• Pin 7: Not connected (unlike 320)
• Pin 8: RxD+ (Receive data plus)

Common Serial Failures:

• No communication: Check pins 3,6 (TxD) and 5,8 (RxD)
• Prints garbage: Verify 57.6 kbps setting in driver
• Stops mid-page: Hardware handshake failure (pins 1,2)
• Random characters: Cable exceeds 25 feet limit

Personal LaserWriter 300 Maintenance Procedures

M2001 Controller Board Maintenance

The Personal LaserWriter 300 uses a custom ASIC controller without a microprocessor:

ASIC Controller Service:

1. Visual inspection:
   1. Check for bulging capacitors (only 3 electrolytics)
   2. Look for burnt components near power input
   3. Verify ribbon cable connections
   4. Check for corrosion on edge connector

1. Capacitor locations (M2001 board):
   1. C1: 47µF 16V near power input
   2. C2: 100µF 10V near ASIC
   3. C3: 47µF 16V near serial connector

1. Cleaning procedure:
   1. Remove board from printer
   2. Clean edge connector with pencil eraser
   3. Apply DeoxIT to serial port pins
   4. Blow out dust with compressed air

1. Compression chip verification:
   1. ASIC marked "Apple 343S0140" or similar
   2. No field repair possible
   3. Failure requires board replacement

Canon LBP-PX Fuser Maintenance

The Personal LaserWriter 300's fuser operates at lower temperature than other models:

LBP-PX Fuser Specifications:

• Operating temp: 180°C (356°F) vs 200°C in other models
• Warm-up time: 30 seconds from cold
• Power consumption: 280W during fusing
• Roller diameter: 20mm (smaller than LBP-LX)

Fuser Service Procedure:

1. Accessing the fuser:
   1. Remote plastic facade (4 screws under the toner cover), pull the plastic cover forward and up at the corners.
   2. Remove two screws at rear panel
   3. Pull straight back (not up)

1. Upper roller inspection:
   1. Should be light tan color
   2. No black streaks or gouges
   3. Slight texture acceptable
   4. Replace if shiny/glazed

1. Lower roller check:
   1. Red silicone rubber
   2. Must spring back when pressed
   3. No flat spots or cuts
   4. Clean with alcohol only

1. Thermistor cleaning:
   1. Small white component touching upper roller
   2. Clean with cotton swab
   3. Use 99% isopropyl alcohol

1. Exit roller service:
   1. Two small rubber rollers
   2. Check "fingers" for wear
   3. Common failure at 75,000 pages
   4. Can trim worn fingers as temporary fix

Personal LaserWriter 300 Pickup Assembly

The compact LBP-PX design has a unique pickup mechanism:

Pickup Roller Specifications:

• Part number: FB1-8581-000 (Canon)
• Diameter: 28mm
• Material: Gray rubber compound
• Life expectancy: 30,000 pages
• Rotation: Clockwise viewing from left

Removal Procedure (300 Specific):

1. Open front cover fully
2. Remove 100-sheet cassette
3. Locate white plastic clips on roller shaft
4. Push left clip inward while lifting
5. Slide roller left off D-shaped shaft
6. Note orientation for reinstallation

Pickup Roller Restoration:

1. Clean with water-dampened cloth
2. If glazed: Sand lightly with 400-grit
3. Apply rubber rejuvenator sparingly
4. Test grip with plain paper
5. Should pull single sheet reliably

Separation Pad (300/LBP-PX):

• Location: Inside cassette tray
• Type: Cork-rubber composite
• Spring tension: 180g force
• Replacement interval: 40,000 pages

GrayShare Software Maintenance

The Personal LaserWriter 300's GrayShare has specific requirements:

GrayShare File Locations:

• Extension: System Folder:Extensions:LaserWriter 300
• Preferences: System Folder:Preferences:LW300 Prefs
• Spool folder: System Folder:PrintMonitor Documents

Common GrayShare Issues:

1. Printer not shared on network:
   1. Verify "Share this Printer" checked in Chooser
   2. Check AppleTalk is active
   3. Confirm host Mac not sleeping
   4. Restart with extensions loaded

1. Corrupted spool files:
   1. Delete PrintMonitor Documents folder
   2. Recreate empty folder
   3. Reset PrintMonitor preferences
   4. Limit spool to 10 documents

1. Memory errors during sharing:
   1. Host needs 4MB RAM minimum
   2. Assign 2MB to PrintMonitor
   3. Disable virtual memory
   4. Close unnecessary applications

1. Serial port conflicts:
   1. Check no other serial drivers loaded
   2. Verify modem not using port
   3. Disable AppleTalk on modem port
   4. Use printer port only

100-Sheet Cassette Maintenance

The Personal LaserWriter 300's compact cassette requires specific care:

Cassette Components:

• Capacity: 100 sheets (half of Select 300)
• Corner separators: Plastic tabs (wear points)
• Lift plate Spring-loaded metal
• Size guides Letter, Legal, A4, Executive

Cassette Service Procedure:

1. Lift plate spring
   1. Check spring tension
   2. Should lift paper firmly
   3. Oil pivots with light machine oil
   4. Replace spring if stretched

1. Corner separator cleaning
   1. Remove any paper dust buildup
   2. Check for worn or broken tabs
   3. Sand smooth if roughened
   4. Critical for preventing multi-feeds

1. Size adjustment mechanism
   1. Slide backstop to click positions
   2. Verify positive engagement
   3. Clean slider tracks
   4. Lubricate with silicone spray

1. Paper guide alignment
   1. Guides must be perpendicular
   2. Check for warping or damage
   3. Adjust screws if loose
   4. Replace cassette if bent

Canon LBP-PX Drum Unit Care

The integrated drum/toner design requires specific handling:

HP 74A/Canon EP-L Compatible Cartridge

• Drum diameter 24mm OPC
• Rotation 4 rotations per page
• Cleaning blade Polyurethane
• Waste capacity 250 pages

Drum Maintenance Steps

1. Monthly inspection
   1. Open toner shutter carefully
   2. Look for scratches or spots
   3. Check cleaning blade edge
   4. Inspect charge roller surface

1. Corona wire equivalent
   1. 300 uses charge roller not wire
   2. Clean roller with dry cloth only
   3. Never use liquids
   4. Replace cartridge if damaged

1. Toner distribution
   1. Rock cartridge 5-6 times
   2. Side to side, not shaking
   3. Prevents streaking
   4. Extends cartridge life

1. Waste toner
   1. No user service possible
   2. Fills at 7.5% coverage rate
   3. Replace when print fades
   4. Don't attempt to empty

Environmental Adjustments for 300

The Personal LaserWriter 300's lower power design requires environmental consideration:

Operating Environment

• Temperature 65-80°F optimal (struggles below 60°F)
• Humidity 40-55% (narrower than 320)
• Altitude Sea level to 6,500 feet
• Power Dedicated outlet recommended

Seasonal Adjustments

Winter issues

• First page very light: Normal, allow warm-up
• Paper curl increases: Store paper inside
• Toner clumping: Keep cartridges warm
• Static problems: Increase humidity

Summer issues

• Paper jams increase: Check humidity
• Toner smearing: Reduce paper moisture
• Fuser life decreases: Ensure ventilation
• Component expansion: Allow cooling periods

Personal LaserWriter 300 Page Count Tracking

Without internal page counter, track maintenance manually:

Page Count Method

1. Create log sheet near printer
2. Record date and starting count
3. Note toner cartridge changes (3,350 pages)
4. Calculate from toner usage
5. Estimate 15 cartridges = 50,000 pages

Maintenance Schedule (Page-Based)

• 3,000 Clean paper path
• 6,000 Clean pickup roller
• 10,000 Service cassette
• 20,000 Clean all sensors
• 30,000 Replace pickup roller
• 40,000 Replace separation pad
• 50,000 Recap controller board
• 75,000 Fuser service required
• 90,000 Evaluate replacement
• 100,000 End of rated life

Tools Specific to Personal LaserWriter 300

Essential Service Tools

• Serial loopback Not used (300 lacks diagnostics)
• Multimeter Test 360W supply voltages
• Cotton swabs Long-stem for sensors
• Plastic spudgers For roller clips
• Vacuum Toner-rated only
• Compressed air Oil-free, 30 PSI max

300-Specific Supplies

• Toner HP 74A or Canon EP-L
• Pickup roller FB1-8581-000
• Separation pad FB1-8639-000
• Capacitors 47µF 16V (×2), 100µF 10V (×1)
• Serial cable 6-foot Mini-DIN-8
• Cleaning supplies 99% isopropyl alcohol

Comparison with Related Models

Personal LaserWriter Comparison

Feature	PLW 300	PLW 320	PLW LS	Select 300
Engine	Canon LBP-PX	Canon LBP-PX	Canon LBP-LX	Fuji Xerox P
Speed	4 ppm	4 ppm	4 ppm	5 ppm
PostScript	No	Yes (Level 2)	No	No
Processor	ASIC only	AMD 29205 16 MHz	None	None
RAM	512 KB	2-8 MB	512 KB	512 KB
Interface	RS-422	RS-422	RS-422	RS-422
LocalTalk	No	Yes	No	No
GrayShare	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Weight	15.4 lbs	15.4 lbs	31 lbs	28 lbs
Power	360W	120W	600W	450W

Accessories and Options

Available Accessories

• Toner cartridges: M2037G/A (Apple), 92274A (HP)
• Serial cables: 6-foot and 25-foot lengths
• Manual feed guides: For envelope printing
• Corona wire cleaner: Included with toner

Third-Party Solutions

• USB adapters: Keyspan USB Serial Adapter (limited compatibility)
• Network bridges: Not compatible with LocalTalk bridges
• Toner refills: Available from various suppliers

Production Information

Manufacturing Details

• Production period: June 1993 - September 1994
• Estimated production: 75,000-100,000 units
• Manufacturing locations: Singapore, Japan
• OEM partners: Canon (print engine)

Model Identification

• Model number: M2001
• Family number: LaserWriter
• Product codes: M2001LL/A (US), M2001B/A (International)

Compatibility

System Requirements

• Any Macintosh with:
  • RS-422 serial port (Mini-DIN-8)
  • System 6.0.7 or later
  • 1 MB RAM minimum
  • Hard disk drive

Compatible Macintosh Models

• Macintosh Plus through Power Macintosh G3
• PowerBook models with serial ports
• Performa series
• LC series
• Quadra series

Operating System Support

• System 6.0.7-6.0.8: Basic support
• System 7.0-7.6: Full TrueType support
• Mac OS 8-9: Full compatibility
• Mac OS X: Not supported

Legacy and Market Position

The Personal LaserWriter 300 occupied a challenging position in Apple's printer lineup. Released simultaneously with the LaserWriter Select 300, the two models created market confusion with overlapping specifications and capabilities. The Select 300 offered faster printing at 5 pages per minute using a Fuji Xerox engine, while the Personal LaserWriter 300 provided a more compact design with lower power consumption.

The elimination of PostScript and LocalTalk kept costs low but limited the printer's appeal to professional users who required these features. The reliance on QuickDraw printing meant slower performance for complex documents and complete dependence on the host Macintosh's processing power.

Despite limitations, the Personal LaserWriter 300 served the home office market adequately, providing laser print quality at a price point competitive with high-end inkjet printers of the era. The printer's compatibility with HP toner cartridges ensured economical operation, while GrayShare software provided basic network functionality for small workgroups.

See Also

• Personal LaserWriter 320
• Personal LaserWriter LS
• LaserWriter Select 300
• LaserWriter 4/600 PS