Editing Apple ImageWriter

{{Infobox computer peripheral
| name         = Apple ImageWriter
| image        = [[File:Apple ImageWriter.jpg|260px|frameless]]
| caption      = ImageWriter (photo: Guillermo Esteves, cropped by TigerK 69, CC BY-SA 2.5)
| manufacturer = C. Itoh, for Apple Computer, Inc.
| type         = Dot-matrix impact printer
| interface    = Serial (RS-232)
| compatible   = Apple II series, Apple III, Lisa, Macintosh
| dimensions   = 4.8 × 16.2 × 11.8 in (Apple specification page)
| weight       = 19 lb (Apple specification page)
| power        = 180 W maximum, 120 V 60 Hz (Apple specification page)
| successor    = [[Apple ImageWriter II]]
}}
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The '''Apple ImageWriter''' is a serial dot-matrix printer that Apple sold for the Apple II, Apple III, Lisa and Macintosh. Apple's service documentation describes it as "an improved version of the Dot Matrix Printer", with faster printing of graphics and text, less noise, easier removal of the switch panel, power switch and covers, and a serial interface in place of the [[Apple Dot Matrix Printer]]'s parallel one; the mechanical assembly and adjustments are the same as the DMP's.<ref name="iwtp">Apple Computer, ''ImageWriter Technical Procedures'', in ''Apple Service Technical Procedures, Cross Family Peripherals, Volume Two'' (PN 072-0230, November 1991), hosted as [[:File:Apple Service Technical Procedures Cross Family Peripherals Volume Two Nov 1991.pdf]]. ImageWriter section PDF pp. 8-109: introduction (rev. Aug 83) pp. 1.2-1.12 (PDF pp. 12-21), self-test p. 1.7, configuration switches pp. 1.9-1.10, periodic maintenance p. 1.11, maintenance schedule p. 1.12; take-apart Section 2; symptom table pp. 3.2-3.7 (PDF pp. 61-66); flow of information pp. 3A.1-3A.3 (PDF pp. 68-70); illustrated parts list Section 4 (PDF pp. 72-87); 15-inch ImageWriter take-apart Section 5 (PDF pp. 88-103); appendix Section 6.</ref> Like the DMP it was built by C. Itoh, as a version of the C. Itoh 8510.<ref name="wp">"ImageWriter", Wikipedia, revision 1338021868, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ImageWriter en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ImageWriter]. Used for the manufacturer, the C. Itoh 8510 origin and the dates of the 15-inch model and the ImageWriter II only.</ref> A wide-carriage ImageWriter 15-inch model was also sold.<ref name="spec15">Apple, "ImageWriter (15"): Technical Specifications", [https://support.apple.com/en-us/112243 support.apple.com/en-us/112243]. Introduced 1 April 1984; discontinued 1 September 1987; serial; 180 W maximum; 144 maximum dpi; 26.4 lb; 5.6 × 22 × 11.8 in.</ref>

Apple's specification page gives the standard ImageWriter's dates as June 1984 to December 1985, but Apple's ImageWriter Technical Procedures introduction is dated August 1983, so the printer was in service documentation by then.<ref name="spec">Apple, "ImageWriter: Technical Specifications", [https://support.apple.com/en-us/112244 support.apple.com/en-us/112244]. Introduced 1 June 1984; discontinued 1 December 1985; PD language QuickDraw; ports serial; 180 W maximum, 1.5 A, 120 V 60 Hz; 144 maximum dpi; 19 lb; 4.8 × 16.2 × 11.8 in.</ref><ref name="iwtp" /> The [[Apple ImageWriter II]] replaced it in September 1985.<ref name="spec2">Apple, "ImageWriter II: Technical Specifications", [https://support.apple.com/en-us/112252 support.apple.com/en-us/112252]. Introduced 1 September 1985.</ref>

== How it differs from the ImageWriter II ==
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%; text-align:left;"
|+'''Apple's comparison (ImageWriter II Technical Procedures, p. 1.3)'''<ref name="iw2tp">Apple Computer, ''ImageWriter II Technical Procedures'', in ''Cross Family Peripherals, Volume Two'' (PN 072-0230, November 1991), hosted as [[:File:Apple Service Technical Procedures Cross Family Peripherals Volume Two Nov 1991.pdf]]. Basics, Changed Features, p. 1.3 (rev. Aug 87), PDF p. 116.</ref>
! Feature !! ImageWriter !! ImageWriter II
|-
| Interface || RS-232 || RS-422/423
|-
| 7 or 8-bit data || Set by DIP switch 1-5 || Software only
|-
| Print wire diameter || 0.35 mm || 0.30 mm
|-
| Speed || 120 characters per second || 180 characters per second
|-
| Deselect || Prints the whole buffer before stopping || Prints at most two more lines
|-
| Paper loading || Paper bail pulled away by hand; paper removed from the tractors for friction feed || Automatic loading; tractors disengage in friction mode
|-
| Printing area || Needs a 3-line top margin || Whole length of paper
|-
| Paper feed speed || 1.67 in per second || 4.0 in per second
|}

== Controls and configuration ==
To run the self-test, hold the form feed switch while switching on; the printer prints lines of the character set until it is switched off. If the select button is pressed accidentally during power-up, the next data received is printed as a hexadecimal dump; switch off and on to clear it.<ref name="iwtp" /> Two DIP switch banks, SW1 and SW2, sit under a plastic strip and are reached by sliding the carrier fully to the left with the paper and carrier covers off. Apple's factory settings are USA character set, 8-bit data, no automatic line feed after carriage return and 12 characters per inch on SW1, and 9600 baud with DTR handshaking on SW2.<ref name="iwtp" /> The user's manual explains the switches and the printer's control codes.<ref name="um">Apple Computer, ''ImageWriter User's Manual'', hosted as [[:File:Apple ImageWriter Users Manual.pdf]]. Contents: getting to know the printer; controlling the printer, with DIP switch settings, control codes and sequences, baud setting, protocol, pitch and proportional spacing.</ref>

== Hardware ==
Mains enters through a noise filter to a transformer that Apple's flow-of-information description gives as reducing 120 V to 40 V; the CPU PC board contains both the power supply circuits and the microprocessor electronics, and drives the carrier motor through a carrier drive transistor assembly.<ref name="iwtp" /> Apple's schematic for the main logic board is drawing 050-0089-A, two D-size sheets.<ref name="sch">Apple Computer, ''Schematic, Main Logic Board, ImageWriter'', drawing 050-0089-A, sheets 1 and 2, hosted as [[:File:Apple ImageWriter Main Logic Board Schematic 050-0089-A.pdf]].</ref> The illustrated parts list covers both the standard and the 15-inch printer, with 110 V and 220 V transformers and noise filters, and the U.S. print head 661-0315 (970-0646 for Europe).<ref name="iwtp" />

== Maintenance and repair ==
* [[Apple ImageWriter General Maintenance]]: Apple's cleaning and lubrication procedure and maintenance schedule (also for the Dot Matrix Printer).
* [[Apple ImageWriter Troubleshooting Guide]]: Apple's symptom table, motor resistances and the self-test flow (also for the Dot Matrix Printer).

== Documentation ==
* [[Apple ImageWriter Documentation]]: the user's manual, the main logic board schematic, Apple's Cross Family Peripherals Volume Two (ImageWriter, ImageWriter II and II/L Technical Procedures) and the Peripheral Interface Guide.

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Apple ImageWriter interior.jpg|With the top cover off
</gallery>

== Related pages ==
* [[Apple Dot Matrix Printer]]
* [[Apple ImageWriter II]] and [[Apple ImageWriter LQ]]

== References ==
<references />

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