Printer/laptop question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Syke
  • Start date Start date
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Syke

Printer has only parallel port, Laptop has serial and USB. Is it possible
to connect them successfully?

Regards and thanks in advance,

Syke
 
Don Phillipson said:
This would also require USB drivers for the printer -- which
might not be available for a printer so old as to have no USB
connector.
Click to expand...

No, the drivers speak to the USB adapter as if they were speaking
directly to the printer. Details are operating-system dependent; on
Windows this is confusingly called a "port", selected in the driver
settings. You just choose the USB-to-parallel adapter there rather than
the parallel port. (And then wait for Windows to mysteriously screw it
up months later; Windows makes a lot more sense when you realize it
hates the user.)
--But basic printers are so cheap these days
there is less point than there ever was in keeping old
warhorses (like my HP LJ3) in service.
Click to expand...

The OP just said "printer", so it's impossible to tell whether we're
talking about a good, economical printer that prints when told, or a
host-based monstrosity designed to extract the most cash from the user.
 
If it helps, the printer is an HP Deskjet 720c.

Syke
Click to expand...

Ok, that used the #45 cartridge. Good size, IIRC it was rated at 833
pages @ 5% yield, now rated at 930 pages. Draft mode seemed to last
an absolute age. Presuming $35/cartridge I'd guess about 3.7c/page.
Not super duper, but reasonable.Text quality was surperb.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16839158008

This is an alternative to a USB to Centronics cable It costs more,
about $50ish.

But for a HP 720C I see no reason to go that route. USB to Centronics
is the cheaper solution and as the 720 wasn't an annoying host based
printer I don't see any problems.

But FYI here are the basic options

USB = $25ish
PC-card = $50ish
Replacement printer = $100ish

For example the HP D5460 is currently $84 on amazon.com. Presuming
$22 for the black cartridge @ 800p yield, that's about 2.75c/page.

These estimates don't take into account aftermarket solutions, or
other deals that an older printer might have.
 
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