Laser Printers In The Word Processing Environment

In contrast to other segments of the computer and peripheral equipment field in the last decade, the line printer has seen little real evolution. However, the recent introduction of high speed non-impact laser printers by IBM, Xerox and Siemens represents the beginning of a transformation in printer technology. These units use "laser xerography" to produce clearer output at rates an order of magnitude faster than conventional impact-type printers. Moreover, the technology is applicable over a wide range of speeds and resolution levels, creating some very exciting possibilities in the office of the future. Because of its freedom from fixed type, the laser printer will allow the extension of the word processing function into more general areas of information handling and office printing. In this paper we intend to aid in the development of systems for this application by explaining the components of the laser subsystem and the interrelationships among its various performance parameters.