LaserWriter 12/640 PS

The LaserWriter 12/640 PS was a monochrome laser printer from the LaserWriter series that was released by Apple Computer on June 17, 1996, replacing the LaserWriter 16/600 PS.

Description
The 12/640 PS could print at a resolution of 600-dpi from a P893 print engine that could output 12 pages-per-minute, or 8 pages-per-minute in an optional double-sided (duplex) mode. It utilized FinePrint and PhotoGrade to adjust individual dot sizes to simulate smoother edges and grays produced by higher resolution printers. The built-in multipurpose tray had a capacity for 80 sheets along with a 250-page cassette. With the ability to support up to 64 MB, it had the highest memory capacity of any Apple printer.

The 30 MHz AMD processor could rasterize images from PostScript Level 2 or  5 printer data. The data could be transmitted through a LocalTalk network to its serial port, or a direct PC connection to its. It also supports faster EtherTalk or networking over a proprietary AAUI Ethernet port.

Plus configuration
The LaserWriter 12/640 PS Plus is a special configuration that was announced at on November 18, 1996 and released the following month. The printer's base memory of 4 MB was upgraded to 12 MB of RAM. The duplex option and additional sheet feeder with a 500-page cassette were also included. Upgrading the RAM to 24 MB would enable PhotoGrade printing in double-sided (duplex) mode.

Included fonts
35 PostScript Type 1 fonts and 15 fonts are included in ROM. 64 fonts in PostScript and/or TrueType format are also included on CD-ROM with the printer driver software.

Discontinuation
The 12/640 PS was one of the last monochrome laser printers from Apple, with the final model being the LaserWriter 8500 workgroup printer.

Legacy support
Apple phased out support for printing over the old AppleTalk-based EtherTalk protocol in Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard). Printing over is possible, but this requires configuring an  address over Ethernet by a Mac running Apple Printer Utility for classic Mac OS, Apple LaserWriter Utility for Windows, or TCP/IP Configuration Utility for Unix.