Laser Jet

Laser Jet definition - computer

See LaserJet.



LaserJet definition - computer

A family of laser printers from HP. Introduced in 1984 at a price of $3,495, the first LaserJet revolutionized the desktop laser printer market. LaserJets print from 600 to 1200 dpi, and PCL is HP's native printer command language.

LaserJets have built-in scalable fonts and also accept bitmapped fonts from the computer (soft fonts). They also offer PostScript emulation. Earlier models used plug-in cartridges, and PostScript was an option until native models were introduced in 1992 (LaserJet 4).

In 1994, HP launched its first color LaserJet, using an enhanced PCL 5 language. At $7,295, it printed 2 ppm in color and 10 ppm in black and white. Over the years, subsequent models gained much higher speeds with prices dipping below $1,000 after the turn of the century. By 2009, color LaserJets aimed at consumers dropped to $200. See laser printer and PCL.


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The First LaserJet

In 1984, the first LaserJet was introduced at a retail price of $3,495. Although noisier than today's models, its ruggedness and reliability launched a revolution in desktop laser printing. Some 25 years later, high-end, monochrome LaserJets sold for similar prices, although substantially faster and better. However, personal LaserJets for consumers dropped to as little as $99. (Image courtesy of Hewlett-Packard Company.)






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