According to the Canon website, with the latest firmware, no PC or Mac is required to use AirPrint, so apparently some things have changed with Canon printers and AirPrint since MarieKnits purchased hers.
There are still lots of geeky details to get this to work.
Yes, it's a pain!
But, rest assured, similar measures would be necessary for any AirPrint-enabled wireless printer brand or model you choose.
In order to print from an iPad or iPhone to the Canon MG5320 via AirPrint:
1. You do NOT need a CD drive to install software for the iPad or the iPhone.
You can download the Canon Easy PhotoPrint printer app (free) from the iOS App store:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/canon-easy-photoprint/id331269951?mt=8
2. The Canon MG5320 printer firmware must be version 2.000 or later to support AirPrint.
If the printer is 'fresh' stock, it might already have the latest firmware installed. If not, you DO need a PC or Mac long enough to download the latest firmware and update the printer. If you purchase the printer from a bricks & mortar retail Apple store or electronics store, they should check it and do the firmware update if necessary. Don't be surprised if they try to charge you to do it.
3. You need a wireless router. If you don't already have WiFi at home, the router needs a high-speed internet connection like DSL or cable. Probably obvious, but I mention this, because you apparently do not have a computer at home, so I don't know if you have the wireless router and internet connection for your iPad, or if you're using 3G at home now. Configuring a brand new wireless router without a PC might be challenging using only an iPad tablet. Some routers are designed to be configured with a wired Ethernet connection first, and the wireless capabilities are 'turned off' in the factory default settings. Again, a bricks & mortar electronics store can do this, and again, probably want to charge you.
4. The Canon printer must be configured and (wirelessly) connected to the wireless router. This likely can be done from the router and printer without a computer. If the router supports WPS, it is relatively simple, entering what amounts to a PIN code generated by the wireless router into a printer setup screen. This is a step you can do without a computer, and easily do on your own, provided the printer firmware and the router are already configured.
5. The printer will not function with AirPrint if it is connected via USB to the wireless router or via USB to a Mac or PC. This note is buried in the footnotes on the printer description page.
6. Canon has published manual supplements for how to install and use AirPrint with Mac OS X or Windows.
Follow the Canon link below, and select:
Details - The manual for how to use AirPrint for Mac OS X, ID: 0300577102_EN_3
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/printers_multifunction/photo_all _in_one_inkjet_printers/pixma_mg5320#BrochuresAndManuals
One more tech note: I just discovered that instead of publishing the above guide as a pdf file, they made it to download in Windows or OS X as a program file, and then open it as an html web page, so you can't easily view it on an iPad. Grrrrr.
Message was edited by: kostby