We have a homeowner at the office that’s wanting to put a printer in his Sunriver home for guest/renter use. Personally, since I don’t want to get (and won’t take) the late phone calls from guests complaining they can’t get it to work because of driver issues or what not (probably my biggest concern), I’m trying to find something compatible with as much as possible without requiring a driver disk. That pretty much eliminates any printer you can find on the shelves now, as I don’t think there’s a printer you can buy new now that doesn’t require you to install drivers either off a CD or from the manufacturer’s web site.
So I’m looking for a list of built-in printer drivers for Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac OS X (Windows 98 would be nice, too, but not holding my breath). I’m basically trying to make it so that the folks in the homes can take a cable, plug it into their computer, their computer will recognize it, and go, making it as easy as possible for everybody involved.
I’m digging through Microsoft’s Web site, but it’s obviously a slow process. I’ve found the Windows Logo’d Products List, but I’m pretty sure that includes stuff that has been tested after the release, and encompasses far more than what’s actually included with a default Windows XP install.
Anybody have any ideas? Anybody had to look into something like this before? I know some of the older HP LaserJets will work on just about anything, but not all of them have USB ports on them, and some of them are huge. It’d just be nice if there were a list of built-in drivers somewhere for the various operating systems (and if I can find one for each OS, I’m going to compile it all into one place).
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For OS X (10.5), http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1370
And for the occasional odd one not on this list, the Generic Postscript or PCL driver usually works okay.
Right, but would the user have to manually select a PS or PCL driver? I unfortunately don’t have much Mac OS X experience (I can’t afford a mac, don’t have the extra hardware to build a Hackintosh). I’m looking for something as simple as “Plug in the cable, turn on the power, you’re ready to print.”
There are some steps that need to be followed when you send your first print job to a new printer but the UI steps you through it. Not a Windows-like wizard monstrosity thank god but reasonably intuitive. When you add a printer, you are presented with a printer browser to locate the printer (this part could use some more UI love). After you’ve found the printer, I’ve found that it usually finds the right driver/PPD automatically; you just need to confirm the choice. Personally, I think this is one area where the OS X experience could use some improvement but it’s still not too bad and anyone with an OS X laptop should be familiar with the process so I would be surprised if it generates a support call.
Re: “Plug in the cable, turn on the power, you’re ready to print.”
Hmm… have you *ever* had it that easy getting a printer to work? I sure haven’t. Seems like there’s always some scrambling around required to install drivers or configure ports.
That said, your comment about the HP LaserJet rings true. What about getting a parallel-to-usb adapter for one of them? ‘Probably as close as you’re gonna get, and the LaserJets are fantastic printers. Slow, but bombproof. I’d still be the 5MP I bought 18 years ago if I hadn’t scored a brand new Dell laser printer at a garage sale this summer (for $5, woot!)
Well, the old Epson dotmatrixes used to just be “plug in and work” – attach the parallel port/Centronics to a BBC, Apple, PC, Commodore, Spectrum and it’ll just work… Whether you can still buy them and if your computer still has a parallel port is another matter…
@Robert: Have I ever had it that easy? Yeah, with older printers with built-in drivers, I have. Windows detects the printer and automatically installs the printer driver from its built-in stash. The problem is that Windows’ selection of built-in drivers is fairly limited (and I can’t seem to find a list of the built-in drivers anyway).
HP now offers “Universal PCL4 & PCL5” drivers for Windows. Any PCL4 or PCL5 printer from HP will print with this driver.
Don’t know if they have something similar for Apple.
Then leave an instruction sheet with screen shots and a CD with drivers for the visitors.
CDs have a tendency to disappear from the homes, which is why I didn’t want to leave one there. Housekeepers don’t have a clue what it is, and they’ll throw it away, or bring it back to the office, which is a pain. Most printing companies (at least large ones) have a universal print driver (I know Ricoh does as well), but it still would have to be installed.
Jake,
I’ve just asked this question on SuperUser at http://superuser.com/questions/11340/printer-with-most-operating-system-plug-and-play-compatibility so fingers crossed that somebody there has some suggestions as well.
Since I don’t have an account there, Richy (unless you have a beta invite you can send my way), you’ll have to keep me posted if something is shared that’s useful
I find, for Windows anyways, that my HP Laserjet 4+ is plug, play, print with no issues. ☺