StepWriter-BX
Expanding on NeXT Computer's innovations
Longtime of users NeXT computers know that the original NeXT laser printer was fast and worked flawlessly with all their applications. The StepWriter-BX combines the software that made the original NeXT printer so great with the latest in laser print engine technology.
A package of software enhancements called eXTRAPPRINT Laser developed by GS Corporation comes bundled with all StepWriter models. eXTRAPRINT Laser gives each user complete printer control from their workstation. The StepWriter-BX is the premier tabloid-sized laser printer for NEXTSTEP users.
Costs less, works better!
Like the original NeXT laser printer, all page rasterization is performed by the Adobe PostScript language interpreter built into NEXTSTEP. Any PostScript font or graphic generated on any user's system will print perfectly on the StepWriter. The faster the host workstation, the faster pages will print. Jobs that output slowly on other printers employing their own processors and memory can print in just seconds on the StepWriter-BX.
With Adobe Level 2 PostScript built right into NEXTSTEP, there is no need to duplicate the power of a costly computer inside the printer. Level 2 provides the two-byte character support necessary for foreign language fonts with thousands of characters. There are no interminable delays to download fonts. All fonts placed in a single folder on the network file server are automatically available to every client for viewing on screen and printing on the StepWriter-BX.
A powerful new resource on the LAN
Just like the original NeXT laser printer, all users on the network have access to the StepWriter. Improved software control panels allow each user to individually select these printing options:
Print resolution 600x600, or 1200x600 dots per inch
Half-tone screening algorithm PostScript or high-quality Floyd Steinberg
Screen Image Resolution 45 to 200 line per inch
Paper Input Sources Multi-purpose tray, paper cassette,
optional high-capacity cassette
Paper Output Method Face-down output
Collation Forward, reverse or multiple copies
Floyd Steinberg screening
Floyd Steinberg screening produces superior half-tones. This algorithm increases formatting time, but the resulting quality is immediately noticeable. The StepWriter-BX is ideal for many "plain-paper typesetter" applications such as the creation of master pages for newspapers.
High-speed caching SCSI-2 controller
The StepWriter-BX receives images via the SCSI bus, which provides the highest available data transfer rate between the host computer and the print mechanism. The printer's SCSI interface accommodates up to 16Mb of RAM for raster image buffering. The large memory buffer frees up the hosting workstation's memory for processing successive pages, or for other applications and system needs while printing. It also enables the printer to recover from paper jams and other error conditions without requiring the user to repeat the print job.
Black and white hardware compatible
The StepWriter-BX can be host-connected to either original black NeXT computers or any color Intel-based systems that have a SCSI port. New releases of the StepWriter driver software are planned for all new implementations of NEXTSTEP. The only system requirements are a SCSI port and NEXTSTEP.
Large printable area
Graphic designers, desktop publishers, engineers and architects will appreciate the edge-to-edge print area of the StepWriter-BX.
StepWriter-BX Brochure
The Printer Works