Printopia question..getting started..or Airprint forum?

I have no clue if that will work but I wouldn't be too quick to replace the printer. AirPrint is clearly a "work in progress" and I fully expect more capability in the next IOS.

Buy (or try first) Printopia from here: http://www.ecamm.com/mac/

Load this on the one computer connected to your printer and then you can print through this computer using your iOS devices.

AirPrint is clearly a "work in progress"

Yes, but the printer needs to be enabled for AirPrint. If it isn't, updates to AirPrint won't matter.
For example, AirPrint is not enabled to work with specific HP printers. Specific HP printers are enabled to work with AirPrint.

"Yes, but the printer needs to be enabled for AirPrint."

Actually, no it doesn't. And you don't need to buy Printopia either. There already are free downloads of software that will allow you to use AirPrint on just about any WIRELESS printer. I have been using one such enabling software on my iPad to print to an HP Photosmart C7250 MFP.

While the software I used was set up for Windows machines, I noticed on MacWorld this last weekend that there is now a similar download for Macs too.

Actually, no it doesn't.

In order for the iPad to talk directly to the printer with AirPrint, yes it does.

There already are free downloads of software that will allow you to use AirPrint on just about any WIRELESS printer.

These enable a computer to do the interfacing between the printer and the iPad.
AirPrint is designed to talk directly to the printer, not through a computer.

I have enabled my Mac so I can print from my iPad to my Canon Pixma iP6000D

Sorry, you're wrong. My SONY VAIO is off, my iPad is on, my HP C7250 is on, and I'm happily printing directly from my iPad to my printer from multiple apps.

Oooops, I stand corrected. My desktop was on (also has the software download installed). In any event, you don't need to buy a print app to make this work .

Sorry, you're wrong.

How am I wrong?
If your printer is not enabled for AirPrint, how is the iPad talking to the printer?

I'm happily printing directly from my iPad to my printer from multiple apps.

So your printer is enabled for AirPrint.
That's what I wrote.
Either your printer is enabled for AirPrint or the iPad talks thru the computer to the printer.

There already are free downloads of software that will allow you to use AirPrint on just about any WIRELESS printer.

What does this software do?
Sounds like it enables the printer to use AirPrint.

Chris CA wrote:

AirPrint is clearly a "work in progress"

Yes, but the printer needs to be enabled for AirPrint. If it isn't, updates to AirPrint won't matter.
For example, AirPrint is not enabled to work with specific HP printers. Specific HP printers are enabled to work with AirPrint.

Do you know which specific printers will work with AirPrint after the new release?

Do you know which specific printers will work with AirPrint after the new release?

As of the time of release of iOS 4.2.1, Apple had this list here
-> http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/airprint.html

But the printers which work with AirPrint will increase as drivers become available (either from the printer manufacturer directly or 3rd parties).

Chris CA wrote:

Do you know which specific printers will work with AirPrint after the new release?

As of the time of release of iOS 4.2.1, it was this list here.
-> http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/airprint.html

But printers which work with AirPrint will increase as drivers become available (either from the printer manufacturer directly or 3rd parties).

That's the reason why I suggested that the OP not rush out and buy a printer.

This was the list from the HP site:

Now
HP Photosmart Plus e-All-in-One B210a Printer series
HP Photosmart Premium e-All-in-One C310 Printer series
HP Photosmart Premium Fax e-All-in-One C410a Printer series
HP ENVY 100 e-All-in-One Printer series
HP Photosmart eStation C510 Printer series

The following products are AirPrint compatible after downloading and installing a firmware update that is currently available on the HP Software and Driver Downloads page :
HP Photosmart e-All-in-One D110a Printer series
HP Photosmart Wireless e-All-in-One B110 Printer series

November 2010
The following products will be AirPrint compatible after downloading and installing a firmware update available on the HP Software and Driver Downloads page in November 2010:
HP LaserJet Pro M1536 Multifunction Printer series
HP LaserJet Pro CM1415 Color Multifunction Printer series
HP LaserJet Pro CP1525 Color Printer series

Coming in December 2010
The following products will be AirPrint compatible after downloading and installing a firmware update that will be available on the HP Software and Driver Downloads page in December 2010:
HP Officejet 6500A e-All-in-One Printer
HP Officejet 6500A Plus e-All-in-One Printer
HP Officejet 7500A Wide Format e-All-in-One Printer
HP Officejet Pro 8500A e-All-in-One Printer
HP Officejet Pro 8500A Plus e-All-in-One Printer
HP Officejet Pro 8500A Premium e-All-in-One Printer

In any event, you don't need to buy a print app to make this work

Correct. The apps simply apply a patch to the OS to share the printer.

Like a few other issues here, I'm not sure what the fuss is about. I mean you can buy at least one of the HP printers on the list for about the same money it costs to replace the ink on your current printer.
What's the big deal?

igmackenzie wrote:
Like a few other issues here, I'm not sure what the fuss is about. I mean you can buy at least one of the HP printers on the list for about the same money it costs to replace the ink on your current printer.
What's the big deal?

Actually, that's true with almost any printer and I've done it often. However, in this case, I'd hate to see the OP choose a printer before the list is updated.