This sale is for a vintageApple APL B Parallel Printer Interface Card (model SP-201-EP-0) For Apple II Computers like theApple II (Original 1977 model),Apple II Plus (II+),Apple IIe (Both original and Enhanced versions) andApple IIGS (In backward-compatibility mode using its internal slots).This card functions as an Intelligent Parallel Printer Interface .It bridges the internal motherboard architecture of an Apple II computer to a physical dot-matrix printer. The card plugs directly into the motherboard expansion slots (usually Slot 1, which was the standard slot designated for printer interfaces in Apple DOS and ProDOS).To use this card with any of the printers below, you will need a 20-pin ribbon cable that plugs into the card's "CN2" port on one end, and terminates in a 36-pin male Centronics connector on the other end to plug into the back of the printer.
This card is a parallel printer interface, meaning it is compatible with almost any vintage dot-matrix or daisy-wheel printer that uses a standard Centronics parallel port.However, because this specific card features a custom EPROM chip labeled "EPSON," its built-in firmware includes specialized control codes optimized for Epson printers and their exact clones.
Ideal Compatibility (Best Match):The card's onboard software is tailored specifically for 1980s Epson dot-matrix printers, including:
- Epson MX Series (e.g., MX-80, MX-100)
- Epson RX Series (e.g., RX-80, RX-100)
- Epson FX Series (e.g., FX-80, FX-85)
When paired with these models, the card allows the Apple II to easily print high-resolution graphics, utilize specific font styles (like bold or italic), and perfectly format text margins using native Apple commands.General Compatibility (Text-Only):Because the hardware functions as a standard parallel interface, you can physically connect it to nearly any brand of vintage parallel printer to print basic text. However, advanced graphics or special formatting may not align correctly if the printer doesn't understand Epson control codes. Compatible general brands include:
- Apple (e.g., Apple Dot Matrix Printer, ImageWriter I with a parallel option)
- Okidata (Microline series)
- C. Itoh (ProWriter series)
- Star Micronics (Gemini series—highly compatible as they often cloned Epson behavior)
- Panasonic (KX-P series)
