IBM 6670
| Company type | Product |
|---|---|
| Industry | Printing technology |
| Founded | February 14, 1979 |
| Defunct | November 19, 1986 |
| Fate | Discontinued |
| Products | Laser printer, photocopier |
| Parent | IBM |
The IBM 6670 Information Distributor (6670-001) was introduced by IBM on February 14, 1979, as an integrated laser printer and photocopier within the Office System/6 lineup. Among its features was the ability to perform two-sided printing. In 1979, The New York Times described it as "A key component of the office of tomorrow," highlighting that it more closely matched the anticipated standard than earlier devices such as those produced by Wang.
The IBM 6670, along with its collator accessory, the IBM 6671, was discontinued from sales on November 19, 1986.
History
The IBM 6670 was engineered to function as "a high-speed copying machine capable of electronic connectivity with computers, word-processing typewriters, and other automated office devices."
Fundamentally, the 6670 was a modified version of the IBM Series III Copier Model 10, operating at approximately half its speed but enhanced with laser imaging technology and advanced electronics. Due to technological constraints during that period, it delivered a maximum print speed of 36 pages per minute, which was lower than the Model 10’s rate of 75 copies per minute.
Its printing mechanism utilized a 5 milliwatt helium–neon laser paired with an 18-facet rotating mirror spinning at 8000 RPM, achieving a resolution of 240 by 240 dots per inch.
Around August 1981, IBM introduced the Model II (6670-002), which increased data reception rates from SNA networks to 9600 bits per second—doubling the previous speed of 4800—and expanded font support from six to twenty fonts per document.
The Model III (6670-003), unveiled in August 1983, eliminated the photocopying capability and allowed up to twenty-five fonts.
In late 1982, Hewlett-Packard recognized the IBM 6670 as a rival to its HP2680A laser printer.
Shortly after its release, a third-party add-on enabled direct data communication between IBM 6670 units, effectively creating an early version of electronic mail.