First print on my SE

[UnaClocker]

I picked up this SE about 2 months ago now. Really good condition, works a treat. Even came with an external hard drive. I picked it up locally, came in it's original box even. Well one of the things I really wanted to be able to do with it was to be able to print the cards and banners I used to make when I was a kid. So I found an Image Writer II on eBay for a song and a dance, and it too came in it's original box! I dare say it's in even better condition than the computer. Got the ribbon and paper and the first thing I printed in PrintShop was a valentine's card for my girlfriend.

 

[Paralel]

30 years ago: Valentine's Card printed on Mac/ImageWriter II: "You cheap, lazy bastard! Couldn't be bothered to get me a real card?!"

Now: Valentine's Card printer on Mac/ImageWriter II: "Oh my god! A vintage Valentine's day card! I love it!!"

**Results may vary based on loved one, love of computers, vintage hardware, and nature of your relationship with loved one and/or vintage hardware. No warranties given or implied.

 

[pcamen]

Printing is one of my big use cases for my vintage collection.  For some reason, in addition to Imagewriters, I am fascinated with the idea of working daisy wheel printers.  I’ve got two Brother units.  I really want the Apple daisy wheel printer but have never actually seen one on eBay, just various parts.

 

[UnaClocker]

Yeah, just can't print banners on modern computers.

 

[Paralel]

Post-tractor feed dot matrix, I noticed a precipitous drop in banner usage for small gatherings...

 

[dcr]

Yeah, just can't print banners on modern computers.

Well, modern common home printers anyway.

Modern computers are really only limited by software and output device.  Software probably isn't as limiting as the output device.

You can still buy dot matrix printers but they aren't the primary printer for general use anymore.  Most people are going to prefer a laser or inkjet printer.  I think there are some that support paper rolls, but what's the likelihood of people buying a paper roll when paper sheets are the most common usage?  They're probably only going to buy rolls of paper if they have a wide-format printer, which is not something most people have at home and also not something most people are going to need.

It is interesting though when modern technology decreases the number of things you can do with a device rather than increasing.  Sure, printing is higher quality than before and it's nice to be able to use normal paper instead of having to separate sheets and tear off the pin-feed strip, but now you can't really do banners at home anymore.

I wonder if anyone has done a comparison of the cost of printer ribbons versus inkjet printer cartridges.