Printer · The Beige Era · 1993
LaserWriter Pro
LaserWriter Pro models made AppleTalk printing faster and more office-friendly as desktop publishing grew up.
Faster pro LaserWriter generation for networked offices.
Color LaserWriter (1995)
LaserWriter Pro: key facts
When was the LaserWriter Pro released?
The LaserWriter Pro arrived in January 1993. Apple discontinued it in 1995.
How much did the LaserWriter Pro cost?
The LaserWriter Pro launched at $2,299 in 1993, about $5,012 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: AMD 29000 / printer controller at 25 MHz, 4 MB RAM, AppleTalk, serial, parallel, Ethernet options.
Why does the LaserWriter Pro matter?
Faster pro LaserWriter generation for networked offices.
Full specifications
| CPU | AMD 29000 / printer controller · 25 MHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 MB (up to 32 MB) |
| Storage | — |
| Display | — |
| GPU | — |
| Ports | AppleTalk, serial, parallel, Ethernet options |
| Weight | Varies by model |
| Dimensions | Network laser printer |
| Operating system | Driver/firmware support |
| Released | January 1993 |
| Discontinued | 1995 |
| Launch price | $2,299 |
How the LaserWriter Pro compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 4,100× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 25 MHz, the clock is roughly 128× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
Launched at $2,299 in 1993, about $5,012 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
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Last updated: 2026-08-11