Around 1975, there was a strong desire among users to switch computer output from kana letters to kanji (Chinese characters). But this was difficult to achieve with conventional approaches using the impact system—such as type drums and type bands—and a different method of configuring characters was needed.
In 1977, Hitachi shipped its first laser printer, and in 1982 they shipped a printer with expanded functions (i.e. with added rule line printing, partial diagram printing and external character processing functions).
| H-8191/8195 | H-8171 | |
|---|---|---|
| Printing system | Laser-based wet xerography | Laser-based xerography |
| Printing speed(A4 size) | 12ppm(single-sided) | 9.4ppm(single-sided) |
| Character size | 4,5,6,8,10,12 and 16 point | |
| Paper size | A4, A5, B4, B5 | |
| Resolution | 289dpi | |
| Shipment date | November 1977 | June 1982 |
