# Apple 410 Color Plotter

> color plotter printer by Apple

**Wikidata**: [Q4781119](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4781119)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_410_Color_Plotter)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/apple-410-color-plotter

## Summary
The Apple 410 Color Plotter is a color printing device manufactured by Apple Inc. that functions as a computer output device for drawing on paper. It was commercially available from December 1, 1983, to January 1, 1988, and utilized an RS-232 connector for interface. As a plotter, it creates images by moving a pen rather than using a traditional printing drum or laser.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer:** Apple Inc., an American multinational technology company based in Cupertino, California.
- **Product Type:** Color plotter (computer output device).
- **Interface:** RS-232 serial connector.
- **Commercial Availability:** December 1, 1983, to January 1, 1988.
- **Manufacturer Founding:** Apple Inc. was founded on April 1, 1976.
- **Wikidata ID:** Q134615135 (based on structured property data).
- **Available Languages:** Documentation exists in English, Dutch, and Turkish.

## FAQs
### Q: What exactly is the Apple 410 Color Plotter?
A: The Apple 410 Color Plotter is a peripheral device categorized as a plotter. Unlike standard printers, it draws images on paper or other materials using a moving pen, capable of producing color output.

### Q: When was the Apple 410 Color Plotter released?
A: The device was commercialized starting December 1, 1983. Its production or sales period ended on January 1, 1988.

### Q: How does the Apple 410 connect to a computer?
A: The device connects via an RS-232 interface, a standard serial communication port used for data exchange.

## Why It Matters
The Apple 410 Color Plotter represents a specific era in Apple Inc.'s history where the company expanded its hardware ecosystem beyond personal computers to include specialized peripheral devices. Launched in the early 1980s, this device addressed the need for color output in professional and creative environments before color raster graphics became ubiquitous and affordable on standard screens and printers.

By utilizing plotter technology—which employs pens to draw continuous lines—the device offered precision suitable for technical diagrams, charts, and architectural designs that early dot-matrix printers could not replicate. Its existence highlights the diversity of the consumer electronics industry during the 1980s, where manufacturers like Apple Inc. experimented with various form factors to solve data visualization problems. The device's five-year commercial run aligns with a transformative period for Apple, occurring alongside the inception of the Macintosh line and the company's transition from the Apple Campus to broader industry dominance.

## Notable For
- **Output Method:** Distinct from laser or inkjet printers, it uses a pen-based plotting mechanism to draw on materials.
- **Interface:** Utilizes the RS-232 standard, common in the early days of personal computing for serial communication.
- **Timeline:** Bridges the gap between Apple's founding in the 70s and its major expansion in the late 80s and 90s.
- **Manufacturer:** Produced by Apple Inc. while the company was headquartered at the original Apple Campus (1 Infinite Loop), which opened in 1993 shortly before the plotter's commercial end.

## Body

### Device Overview
The Apple 410 Color Plotter is a computer output device designed to draw on paper or other materials. As a plotter, it interprets computer commands to move a pen or knife across a surface, creating high-precision vector graphics rather than raster images.

### Technical Specifications
- **Connectivity:** The device is equipped with an RS-232 connector.
- **Classification:** It is an instance of a "plotter," a class of output devices distinct from standard printers.

### Commercial History
- **Launch:** The product was introduced to the market on **December 1, 1983**.
- **Discontinuation:** The commercial availability of the Apple 410 Color Plotter concluded on **January 1, 1988**.

### Manufacturer Context
The device was produced by **Apple Inc.**, an American multinational technology company.
- **Location:** At the time of the plotter's release, Apple was based in **Cupertino, California, United States**.
- **Company Era:** Founded April 1, 1976, Apple was operating within the software and consumer electronics industries, specifically focusing on operating systems, computer programs, smartphones, and computers during this period.
- **Workforce:** During the mid-1980s (the active period of the 410 Plotter), Apple's workforce grew significantly, eventually reaching 123,000 employees by 2017, illustrating the company's long-term growth trajectory beginning in the era this device was sold.