StepWriter-NX
Great software and great hardware!
The Printer Works’ StepWriter-NX embodies the best aspects of the software that drove the original NeXT Laser Printer, with a state-of-the-art laser print mechanism. New software has been added for new features and performance. The result is THE premier 17 ppm laser PRINTER that WORKS great for the NEXTSTEP operating environment.
Scalable workstation-class power
Like the original NeXT laser printer, all page rasterization is performed by the Adobe PostScript Level 2 language interpreter built into NEXTSTEP. Any PostScript font or graphic generated on any user's screen prints perfectly on the StepWriter, at the printer's higher resolution. 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 seconds.
Total control from every client
Just like the original NeXT laser printer, all users on the network have access to the StepWriter. A software package called eXTRAPRINT Laser package from GS Corporation provides improved control panels that allow each user to individually select these options:
High-speed caching SCSI-2 controller
The printer controller inside the StepWriter-NX receives data via the SCSI bus, which provides the highest available data transfer rate between the host computer and the print mechanism. The SCSI interface inside the printer can accommodate up to 16Mb of RAM for raster image buffering. The large memory buffer allows the hosting workstation to free up its memory for processing successivepages, or for other applications and system needs while the printer prints. 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-NX can be host-connected to either original black NeXT computers and 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.
High-speed, high volume, high quality
The StepWriter-NX is based on a 17 ppm, true 600x600 dpi print engine rated for up to 25,000 prints per month. Print resolution is selectable from each individual workstation's software control panel. The 300x300 dpi mode is ideal for high-speed drafts. Use the 600x600 dpi for reports, manuals, and business correspondence. For the graphic artist in the group, the 1200x600 dpi produces camera-ready plain-paper typesetter-like output that makes ideal master pages for reproduction on other printers.
Print resolution 300x300, 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 source Upper, lower, manual or envelope
Paper output method Face-up or face-down output
Collation Forward, reverse or multiple copies
StepWriter-NX Brochure
The Printer Works