HP printer modell number minefield

Question

HP printer modell number minefield

I'm tryng to buy one of the listed printers from a store but I am confused by model numbers.

I have found two printers from the HP list of supported printers:

1) The B110 photosmart wireless

2) the B210 photosmart plus

But in the store, both of the printer model numbers have a letter "a" after them. So the B110a and the B210a.

I am not sure whether they will be compatible with AirPrint. Anybody else have any experience?

Thanks

Richard

Ipad, iOS 4

Posted on Nov 25, 2010 3:30 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Anthony J Howe

Level 4

1,167 points

Nov 25, 2010 4:15 AM in response to Richard Fielding

It is the 'a' version that is compatible with with Airprint Richard.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4356

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/36932/airprint-ready-printers-iphone-ipad

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Answer 2

Nov 25, 2010 11:25 AM in response to Anthony J Howe

Thanks for your help.

I purchased a B110C which is classed as a "Photosmart with Wireless Special Edition"

So basically, anything in the B110 series with any letter should work.

I set it up very easily. It has a mini screen with instructions.

It found my wifi network straight away and was set up without any pain!

When it came to printing from my iPad, I clicked on the print icon from the mail menu and there was the printer automatically in the AirPrint list. So it works!

I didn't expect it to be this easy.

Hope this helps anyone else

Rich

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Answer 3

Nov 25, 2010 11:35 AM in response to Richard Fielding

Oh my god it works from my iPhone too!

WOW!

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Answer 4

Nov 25, 2010 1:20 PM in response to Richard Fielding

Richard,

Glad you had a good experience and its working just like it should. For most of the Photosmart's, what's important is its the x10 Series (where x is replaced by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Where the A after the model number is very important is with the Officejet line of Printers.

Just trying to make it clear for anyone else that may be confused.

Andrew

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Answer 5

Nov 25, 2010 1:25 PM in response to HP Mac Architect

Good man for helping.

I hope this thread helps lots of people sort out their AirPrint and printer purchase choices.

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Answer 6

Fred-M-

Level 4

2,397 points

Nov 25, 2010 6:50 PM in response to Richard Fielding

Andrew-

I'm looking for a portable printer to go with my portable iPad. I have the Deskjet 450 Bluetooth printer which doesn't work with AirPrint. The only current portable printer I could find was the H470, but it isn't on your list.

All but two printers on your list appear to be All-In-One multifunction machines, and I've seen several all-in one machines in the stores with slightly different numbers than those on your list.

1. If they claim to be ePrint machines, will they work with AirPrint, or will they require a firmware upgrade?

2. Could any of the listed printers be considered portable? If they work with a "wall wart" power module, could an external battery be connected instead?

Fred

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Answer 7

Nov 25, 2010 7:39 PM in response to Fred-M-

The slight change to model numbers (I.e, B110, B110a, B110b might be the retailer version number. This is a marketing ploy to keep you from asking for the price-match plus 10% guarantee that is often used in advertising. If you read the guarantee closely, it says something like "If you find the exact model somewhere else for less money, we will give you the lower price plus 10%".

A large retailer (say Best Buy) gets a unique model number (maybe B110b). So when someone else (say Staples) puts their version (maybe B110s) Best Buy doesn't have to match it, because it is a different model number. Under the label, the printer is the same.

HP is very much into this with both printers and PCs (and probably everything else).

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Answer 8

Nov 25, 2010 10:29 PM in response to Fred-M-

Fred,

While we do make portable printers, none of them are AirPrint compatible at the moment. As you point out, most of our AirPrint compatible printers at the moment are multi-funciton devices (with the exception of a couple LaserJets. I have taken note of your request and passed it on to the appropriate teams, but don't expect a result anytime soon, the product life cycles on the portable printers are a bit longer then the rest of our devices.

And to answer your second question, I would not consider any of the current list truly portable. the B110/D110 (depending on where in the world you live) is the closest thing to being portable, and yes, it too is a multifunction device.

Just trying to help.

Andrew

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Answer 9

Mar 21, 2012 8:25 AM in response to HP Mac Architect

The last post about the lack of a mobile printing solution on a device DESIGNED for MOBILE computing was in 2010... Has there really been no movement on this issue at all? What is the point of wasting resources to make a 98 lbs. printer AirPrint onoatible rather than a mobile printer? If I want to print from the office or home I have a computer for that. When I am on the road with my MOBILE device I should be able to print on a MOBILE printer not be confined to only printing in my home or office. I have literally lost track of the number of people in need of a mobile AirPrint printer for their business and yet for some reason the excuse for not having it is that the market is not big enough to care about. Of course I blame apple and their insistence in using proprietary software and hardware for everything so that no existing hardware will be compatible. All that reallywould have needed to happen is for the iPad to be able to print through Bluetooth to one of the many mobile printers with Bluetooth support but instead here we are already in 2012 and still no viable mobile printing solution for THE mobile computing device of our generation from anyone... All I can say is that whoever breaks into the market first will probably sell out in the first day. The reason I say this is that in my office everyone I work with has an iPad and has their own small business on the side, everyone of them is looking for a mobile printer to take with them o a customers house to print invoices and reports.

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Answer 10

Fred-M-

Level 4

2,397 points

Mar 21, 2012 11:30 AM in response to Joshua Miles

Joshua-

HP Mac Architect is (or was) an HP employee. I have not seen any of his comments for many months, and no one has taken his place. With few exceptions, Apple does not read these forums. In other words, you may find sympathy here, but none of us can help you.

If you want to let Apple know, provide feedback at <iPad Feedback>. However, they have made it clear that the iPad's native system will only print via WiFi using AirPrint. There are printing Apps that partially get around the AirPrint requirement, but only via WiFi.

You obviously do not appreciate the iOS innovation that eliminates a requirement for it to have individual drivers for every printer ever made. Therefore you must stick with your trusty laptop and bluetooth portable printer to meet your mobile needs until/unless a portable AirPrint printer appears on the market.

Fred

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