Which printer driver do I need, UFR II, PCL, or PS? I have the 24" iMac, Sequoia. I am looking at buying a color laser printer. Two models are exactly the same except for one uses UFR II and the other printer (more expensive) uses UFR II, PCL, PS.
iMac 24″
It probably doesn't matter because you'll almost certainly be using AirPrint. Your Mac will connect to the printer automatically without the need for a driver. Check in the specs for the printer that it supports AirPrint.
7rv9m wrote:
Did apple have airprint in 2011? I had a Epson Stylus R2000 that was supposed to be able to use wifi but I had trouble connecting it. There was no option on the printer itself to input wifi password.
Apple debuted AirPrint in 2010.
Printers were using Wi-Fi and wired networks well before AirPrint.
Wi-Fi is a network connection, and all sorts of printing- and non-printing-related protocols can all operate atop Wi-Fi, and on wired networks.
First network printer I met was back around 1993, with a PrintServer (20, IIRC), and that was often used with WaveLAN / RoamAbout networking, a wireless networking standard that predates Wi-Fi.
Remote network printing can use various network protocols including lpr/lpd line printer daemon, telnet, the HP so-called RAW port TCP 9100, and various other choices, but in recent years use of IPP/IPPS is often preferable, and use of AirPrint whenever Apple gear is involved.
Microsoft has UniDrv / GDI / GDI+ printing, and a fondness for moving all printing functions into host-based vendor-provided drivers. This makes the printers exceedingly cheap, but pushes pretty much all of the work of priting from the printer processor into the computer. And you need the vendor driver.
IPP/IPPS and AirPrint place the equivalent of the printer drivers in the printer firmware, and with the Mac, iPad, and iPhone AirPrint drivers provided by Apple, and with IPP/IPPS for Mac and other platforms also provided by Apple CUPS. No vendor drivers are needed for common printing functions, and for some scanning functions.
TL;DR: for use with Apple gear, you absolutely want a printer with AirPrint. Whatever other shiny the printer vendor might offer, you absolutely want AirPrint support.
AirPrint is one of those technologies that's so good, most people don't know they're using it.
Apple devices discover AirPrint-compatible printers on your network automatically. When you add a printer to a Mac, it will use the AirPrint protocol by default. As Kurt said, you may choose to use a manufacturer's driver instead for more features, but this often isn't necessary.
In the case of iPhone and iPad, there's no concept of drivers — an AirPrint-compatible printer is required. Since you've already joined your printer to Wi-Fi, no additional setup is needed. Just go to print from an app, tap No Printer Selected, and choose your printer.
if the printer support airprint then you can use that to print over wifi from your computer without any problems
I don't use AirPrint. I print over wifi from my iMac computer.
I little secret is when you use AirPrint, you are printing over Wi-Fi. AirPrint does not work directly between any device and the printer. You first have to connect your printer via Wi-Fi to your router. Only then will your devices see the printer as an AirPrint option, assuming AirPrint is enabled on the printer.
Will you need a manufacturer's driver? It depends on the manufacturer. With some, the AirPrint option is all you get for a Mac. Sometimes the manufacturer's drivers have no more options than just using AirPrint. Others, like our Xerox VersaLink C405, has far more options with Xerox's drivers than it does using AirPrint. Like full color management. Over AirPrint it has none at all.
I did connect my printer to my wifi network and entered the password into the printer. This is the first printer that I could print to without having it physically connected to my computer. I did not realize it was using AirPrint. I thought I would have to set that up?
I am supposed to be able to print from my iPhone, but would have to set this up through the menu directly on the printer. I haven't done that yet. Not sure if I will need it. I guess that would use Airprint.
So the color printer that I want to purchase is the same model as I have now, but with color. The cheaper version (that only has UFR II) is all I need, not the more expensive one.
When someone asks about print drivers, they probably don't know about or understand airprint. That would be me.
After googling, I found this:
AirPrint enables you to print directly from an iOS or macOS device without needing to install drivers or additional software, provided both your device and an AirPrint-compatible printer are connected to the same network.
I also found by googling, that if I look at printers & scanners, click on the printer I am using, I will see the printer name-AirPrint. This tells me that I am using airprint.
So, I thank myself for helping me.
Did apple have airprint in 2011? I had a Epson Stylus R2000 that was supposed to be able to use wifi but I had trouble connecting it. There was no option on the printer itself to input wifi password.
I don't use airprint. I print over wifi from my imac computer. I will be printing from Photoshop when I buy the color laser printer.
Thanks! I just printed a photo from my iphone.
7rv9m wrote:
I did connect my printer to my wifi network and entered the password into the printer. This is the first printer that I could print to without having it physically connected to my computer. I did not realize it was using AirPrint. I thought I would have to set that up?
Well, sure, if you made the mistake of buying a printer without AirPrint.
With AirPrint, no added vendor drivers are needed.
I am supposed to be able to print from my iPhone, but would have to set this up through the menu directly on the printer. I haven't done that yet. Not sure if I will need it. I guess that would use Airprint.
AirPrint is supported from Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
With AirPrint, no added drivers are needed.
So the color printer that I want to purchase is the same model as I have now, but with color. The cheaper version (that only has UFR II) is all I need, not the more expensive one.
You want a printer with AirPrint.
Sure, it can have whatever other screwball or non-standard or vendor-specific ot magic beans connection that the printer vendor offers this week, but you want AirPrint support when working either Apple gear.
I would NOT purchase a printer without AirPrint.
AirPrint avoids most or all what you are asking about here, and to avoid printers that turn into bricks when the vendor drivers are no longer available.
General info: Which Printer Should I Buy? - Apple Community
Choosing a printer driver for a new color laser
