Printing/Scanning and Apple Mac’s

We get some requests regarding the setup of printers/scanners or all-in-one printers with Apple Mac’s. It is probably safe to say that why Mac OS X is a friendly and easy to use operating system, it is not best friends with printers.

Normally, you can eventually get most printers or scanners to work with Mac, but it may take a little extra effort.

Below are some tips and links to help you make the best decision when using a printer/scanner with you Mac.

Firstly, if you are buying a new printer or device, try to make sure that there are drivers and software available for Mac OS. You can do this by checking this list on the Apple website.

Secondly, if possible, connect via USB first. Trying to connect via LAN or WiFi can confound the issue as there may be port-blocking or a firewall on your router. I would possibly opt for always connecting via USB, especially if you have an iMac, etc.

Note: It is best to connect your printer via USB, then turn on you Mac (and printer) and run software update. If there is software available, it will be downloaded for you. This is especially useful when trying to add more modern printers.

If all else fails, you should be able to get your printer working via a Generic PostScript or PCL drivers available from the “Print Using” pop-up menu while adding a printer [source]. I have also used Gimp Print for more complicated or older printers.

P.S. A comprehensive guide, Mac 101: Printing, is also available on the Apple website