StarTribune.com | User comments

Alexander: Should an iPad need a wireless printer?

Article by: STEVE ALEXANDER , Star Tribune
Updated: October 25, 2011 - 4:49 PM

4
Comments

Newest first
Oldest first

1 - 4 of 4

Tjung6499Oct. 25, 11 8:27 PM

400 bucks for a wireless printer? An entry level wireless printer compatible with iPad will run 50 bucks if you catch the right sale...only a few more bucks than any apple branded adapter a user would buy.

fuhrmannOct. 26, 11 9:01 AM

Patricia McKnight of Tucson, Ariz., and Sue McGowan Lewis of Miami both agree with the Apple philosophy "YOU will do what WE want YOU to do, and be happy about it". Apple does not want you to be smart and actually not upgrade to their overpriced equipment.

balderdashedOct. 26, 1110:25 AM

It is not just technically less "elegant" to print from an IPAD via a USB adapter -- it will not work! You could go ahead and connect a USB cable from your USB printer to the IPAD with such an adapter, if you want to, but you won't be able to print that way. Such an adapter may allow you to connect and use digital cameras, certain USB audio devices, some MIDI devices and perhaps even a USB keyboard with an IPAD. But no one has ever been able to print from the IPAD via such an adapter. There are IPAD apps such as PrintCentral that will allow you to print to a USB printer -- if the printer and the IPAD printer are connected via the same wireless network. (You could do that by connecting the printer to an AirPort Express, or using your Mac or PC to share your printer via your wireless network). But even PrintCentral is kind of a workaround. Canon, HP, Epson and Lexmark all make printers that work seamlessly with the IPAD via Apple's wireless AirPrint technology (and there are currently 87 AirPrint compatible models listed on Apple's web site). Anything else is likely to be clunky -- or, in the case of your recommended USB cable method, a total waste of money.

oscarfallsOct. 26, 11 2:10 PM

Many wired printers can be upgraded to a wireless model by plugging them into your wifi router.

1 - 4 of 4

Log In

Change Password

business

Alexander: Should an iPad need a wireless printer?

Comments

Thanks for contributing!

Comment on this story |

Post your comment:

Your comments:

from the homepage

Email or username:
Password:

Forgot your password? \| Not a member? Create a login

Current:
New Password:
Confirm New Password: