Atari Corp would take a huge leap forward in providing periperhal support for its ST line of computer systems with the introduction of the SLM804 Laserprinter.    Released along with Atari's new MegaST line of computers, the new printer brought the ST line of computers into the professional level of computer systems by providing Desktop Publishing printing support.
 

The true key to the SLM804's speed and very low cost (nearly 1/3rd the cost of other laser printers) was its design.    Using the built in "ASCI" DMA port of the Atari ST computers and transferring data into the SLMC804 interface for Postscript processing, the Atari SLM804 was extremely fast, efficient and a far better deal then printers provided by IBM and Apple.    In fact, an Atari Desktop Publishing system consisting of an Atari Mega ST computer, mono hi-res monitor, SLM804 printer and desktop publishing software cost less then an IBM or Apple laser printer alone.