LisaList2

So, you want "straightforward" and "modern" solution, but also "cheaper" too? 

I mean I realize there's no silver bullet here nor do I mean to complain; some sacrifice must be made whether it's convenience or price. It would be nice to actually have a need for a parallel port card; I might as well take advantage of the Lisa's expandability if I have an opportunity to.

Is there a straightforward way to network a Lisa to a modern printer?

So, you want "straightforward" and "modern" solution, but also "cheaper" too? 

The Lisa is from 1983, an as advanced as she was at the time, in 1983 most printing solutions used parallel interfaces.   

Rick

... I can't use a NewPrint right now since I don't have a parallel port card. Maybe it would be cheaper to just get an ImageWriter...

With a 'real' ImageWriter then you're then dealing with ribbons and presumably looking for tractor feed paper.

Also, I wonder when the serial printer driver first appeared... I suggest checking in case a parallel printer is the only option for the Workshop or earlier LOS versions?

Well... guess I can't use a NewPrint right now since I don't have a parallel port card. Maybe it would be cheaper to just get an ImageWriter...

When the Lisa was 1st released in 1983, the ImageWriter did not exist yet.  Apples dot matrix printer at the time was the Apple DMP, and it had a parallel port interface.  In late 1983 to be ready for the introduction of the Macintosh, Apple introduced the Imagewriter that had a serial interface ( both the Mac and the IIc were serial only and the DMP would not connect to them ).    In fact both the DMP and the Imagewriter are both just rebadged C. Itoh 8510 printers, and as such the commands and features are the same.

The Lisa supported the DMP connected to a parallel interface (you needed a Lisa Dual Par port card and cable ), and later supported the ImageWriter using the serial interface.

The NewPrint device is parallel interface only, and should work with Lisa using the DMP driver.   The NewPrint device will not work directly with Macintosh unless you also use a par to serial converter too.

The original Apple LaserWriter did offer ImageWriter emulation, when connected via it's serial port,  and  later Apple shipped a Postscript based ImageWriter emulator for localtalk connected LaserWriters with GS-OS for the Apple IIgs.

Rick

If that device is usable as a Lisa Printer, I'll definitely be getting it. Presumably, if it can work with a Lisa, it can work with a Mac, which means it would solve my printing needs for both my 2/10 and my Mac Plus. The only other question would be how best to share it between them.

https://www.plaidvest.com/newprint.html

This device emulates an Imagewriter.

I also recall that the original "ImageWriter" is serial. IIRC, the parallel port predecessor/equivalent was the Apple DMP, so I'm guessing that's what will be emulated.

I vaguely recollect that (most of) the commands were the same between the ImageWriter and DMP and so a serial - parallel converter would work for most purposes.

The ImageWriter II has an expansion slot, for which an AppleTalk card was available ... perhaps there was a parallel port option for it too.

Perhaps some of the Apple laser printers that had parallel ports could emulate an Apple ][ compatible DMP as well?

edit: 'cause ried beat me to it

I have not tried it myself, but this device seems promising...

I believe that product emulates a parallel port printer, while the Apple ImageWriter is a serial port printer. Does that distinction make a difference here?

I have not tried it myself, but this device seems promising:

https://www.plaidvest.com/newprint.html

This device emulates an Imagewriter and outputs the results to a modern device over wifi.  With the proper cable for the Lisa, it should work.

If someone tests this, please let the group know how it worked.

Rick

UPDATE: I just ordered one these, I will report back on if it works or not...

To my knowledge there are no ways of getting the Office System to talk to a modern printer - it's Apple Daisy Wheel, ImageWriter, or Canon Inkjet only.

There are ImageWriter emulations in a couple of the big Apple II emulators. How complete they are, how they function, and how hard it'd be to make that code standalone I couldn't tell you.