Unknown to the general public, this Apple product celebrates its 40th anniversary

In 1984 (year of release ofMacintosh 128k), the world of publishing and printing was still functioningaccording to patterns inherited from the 1950s. Companies had to subcontract the slightest graphic creation to specialized agencies, equipped with expensive industrial equipment. The layout of a simple document required the intervention of several trades: graphic designers, photoengravers and typographers worked together on the same project.

It was then that Apple presented a product that would change everything:le LaserWriter.

The LaserWriter: a computer hidden in a printer

This machine was a powerful tool accessible to independent creatives and small structures. Sold for $6,995 – the equivalent of $24,000 today – this printer represented a significant investment, but paltry compared to the professional equipment of the time.which could reach several hundred thousand dollars.

Its particularity? The integration of the PostScript language, developed by Adobe, which made it possible for the first time to manipulate texts and images with precisionpreviously reserved for publishing professionals.

Under its guise of a classic printer,the LaserWriter hid a real computer. Equipped with the Motorola 68000 processor, the same as that of the Macintosh 128k, it had greater computing capabilities than the computer itself. This power allowed it to handle vector fonts and complex graphics with a resolution of 300 dpi (dot per inch), a technical feat for the time.

A social and technical revolution

Apple understood that the democratization of professional tools of this type would require their networking. The AppleTalk protocol, launched simultaneously, allowed several Macintoshes toshare one and the same printer. This design made the investment much more affordable for small structures: communication agencies, local newspapers, associations or educational establishments.

The arrival of software like Aldus PageMaker perfectly complemented the appearance of the LaserWriter. Creative people could now design, edit and print their documents without leaving their desk. This new autonomygave birth to new professions, like the computer graphic designer, and has transformed established professions like that of model designer.

The LaserWriter range was then expanded withmore accessible modelslike the Personal LaserWriter, while competitors like HP and Canon in turn democratized laser printing. The return ofSteve Jobsat Apple in 1997 marked the end of this adventure, which wanted to concentratethe company's efforts in other areas.

• In 1984, Apple revolutionized printing with the LaserWriter, making professional tools affordable to small businesses.
• Thanks to PostScript and sharing via AppleTalk, the printer has allowed creatives to manage text and images with unprecedented autonomy.
• By combining technologies and software, this innovation has transformed the graphic design professions and democratized publishing.