# Apple Dot Matrix Printer > printer manufactured by C. Itoh **Wikidata**: [Q4781158](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4781158) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Dot_Matrix_Printer) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/apple-dot-matrix-printer ## Summary The Apple Dot Matrix Printer is a printer model manufactured by C. Itoh and branded by Apple Inc. It belongs to the dot matrix printer class, utilizing impact technology where pins strike an ink ribbon to produce text and images. Designed primarily for Apple II systems, it served as a practical output device during the era when dot matrix technology was dominant. ## Key Facts - **Manufacturer:** C. Itoh (also referred to as Itochu). - **Brand:** Apple Inc. - **Class:** Dot matrix printer (subclass of impact printer). - **Primary Platform:** Designed for Apple II systems. - **Mechanism:** Uses a moving print head with pins that strike an ink ribbon to form characters and images via a matrix of dots. - **Identification:** Freebase ID is /m/02r9gj0. - **Wikipedia Presence:** The entity has a Wikipedia page titled "Apple Dot Matrix Printer" with sitelinks in four languages: English, Dutch, Portuguese, and Turkish. - **Sitelink Count:** 4. - **Technology Context:** As a dot matrix printer, it is capable of printing multi-part forms and operates via physical impact rather than thermal or laser methods. ## FAQs ### Who manufactured the Apple Dot Matrix Printer? The printer was manufactured by C. Itoh, which is also identified as Itochu in structured data sources, rather than being built directly by Apple. ### What type of printing technology does the Apple Dot Matrix Printer use? It utilizes dot matrix impact printing technology, where a print head moves horizontally across the page and pins strike an ink-soaked ribbon against the paper to create dot patterns. ### Which computers was the Apple Dot Matrix Printer designed to work with? This specific model was designed primarily for use with Apple II computer systems, fitting into the ecosystem of early personal computing peripherals. ### How does the Apple Dot Matrix Printer differ from modern printers? Unlike modern inkjet or laser printers, the Apple Dot Matrix Printer is an impact device that physically strikes the paper, allowing it to create carbon copies and multi-part forms that non-impact printers cannot produce. ## Why It Matters The Apple Dot Matrix Printer matters as a historical component of the early Apple computing ecosystem, providing users with a reliable method for generating hard copies of data during the 1970s and 1980s. By leveraging the robust dot matrix technology manufactured by C. Itoh, it offered Apple II users the critical ability to print multi-part forms and continuous feed documents, which were essential for business and administrative tasks of the era. Its existence underscores the industry's reliance on third-party hardware manufacturers to meet the specific peripheral needs of major computer brands. ## Notable For - Being a specific model of dot matrix printer branded by Apple but manufactured by the external company C. Itoh. - Serving the Apple II platform, contributing to the system's utility in office and educational environments. - Utilizing impact pin technology, distinguishing it from later non-impact printing technologies. - Having documentation and recognition across multiple Wikipedia language editions (en, nl, pt, tr). ## Body ### Technical Overview The Apple Dot Matrix Printer operates on the principles of impact dot matrix printing. This technology involves a print head moving back and forth across the page, containing a series of tiny pins that strike an ink-soaked ribbon pressed against the paper. Each impact creates a single dot, and combinations of these dots form letters, numbers, and simple graphics. As a member of the dot matrix printer class, it differs from non-impact alternatives like inkjet and laser printers because it physically strikes the paper to create an impression. This mechanism allows the device to handle multi-part forms, such as invoices and carbon copies, without smudging or misalignment. ### Manufacturer and Branding While the device carries the Apple brand and is associated with Apple Inc., the physical manufacturing was handled by C. Itoh (also known as Itochu). This arrangement was common in the early computer industry, where specialized hardware manufacturers produced peripherals that were rebranded for major computer platforms. The entity is cataloged with the Freebase ID `/m/02r9gj0` and is recognized as a distinct instance of a printer model within knowledge taxonomies. ### System Integration and Usage Designed primarily for the Apple II systems, the printer integrated with the computer's standard interfaces to provide output capabilities. During the period when this printer was relevant, dot matrix technology was the standard for computer output due to its balance of affordability and functionality. The Apple Dot Matrix Printer allowed users to take digital data from their Apple II computers and print it onto paper, supporting character sets based on ASCII or extended encodings typical of that generation of hardware. ### Historical Context The Apple Dot Matrix Printer appeared during the height of dot matrix printing's dominance, which spanned the 1970s through the 1990s. It is listed among other notable models of the time, such as the Epson MX-80 and the Commodore MPS-801. While the Epson MX-80 is often cited as a turning point in 1980 for reliability and price, the Apple Dot Matrix Printer served a similar role within its specific brand ecosystem. These printers were pivotal in democratizing computing and business automation, offering rugged designs that could withstand continuous operation in environments where reliability was prioritized over high-resolution print quality.