Printer · The Beige Era · 1990
Personal LaserWriter
The Personal LaserWriter brought laser output closer to ordinary desks, shrinking both the printer and the price.
Lower-cost desktop laser printer for personal Mac users.
StyleWriter (1991)
Personal LaserWriter: key facts
When was the Personal LaserWriter released?
The Personal LaserWriter arrived in 1990. Apple discontinued it in 1993.
How much did the Personal LaserWriter cost?
The Personal LaserWriter launched at $1,799 in 1990, about $4,372 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Printer controller, Serial / AppleTalk.
Why does the Personal LaserWriter matter?
Lower-cost desktop laser printer for personal Mac users.
Full specifications
| CPU | Printer controller |
|---|---|
| Cores | — |
| Memory (RAM) | — |
| Storage | — |
| Display | — |
| GPU | — |
| Ports | Serial / AppleTalk |
| Weight | Varies by model |
| Dimensions | Compact laser printer |
| Operating system | Driver/firmware support |
| Released | 1990 |
| Discontinued | 1993 |
| Launch price | $1,799 |
How the Personal LaserWriter compares to today
Launched at $1,799 in 1990, about $4,372 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