Apple Color LaserWriter 12/660... how good was it?

[mrbigstuff]

Just curious. I could lay down some cash for one locally, but before I make the trek, I'm trying to get some opinions.

Naturally, I'm looking to use it with a USB-only machine, so it would have to be hooked through the ethernet to RS-232 connection

[mattkime]

Sadly, I'd recommend that you stay far away from it. Its terribly complicated, unreliable, slow, and poor color quality. While many of the old laserwriters are solid tanks, this thing was finicky and unreliable the day it was made.

Still, it is the largest machine with an apple logo, and it makes a lot of noise when it prints. It feels important. Turning it on for the first time made me feel like dr. frankenstein.

[MacMission]

I got a great deal on mine brand new from an Apple employee discount for $3000 back in the day. It's still in operation. Heavy, loud, reliable, long lasting toner (big toner cartridges), great output but just okay for photographs (stick with inkjet for photorealistic output). I wouldn't pay more than $150 for one today...some people just give them away. But they have true Adobe Postscript and operate in OS X, OS 9 and Classic. Most newer color laser printers have Postscript emulation and only run in OS X. A 15 year old 12/660 will probably outlast a brand new color laserwriter today, I betcha.