is usb 1. port ok with new printer?

Original Message

Name: neon427
Date: March 30, 2008 at 15:51:23 Pacific
Subject: is usb 1. port ok with new printer?
OS: xp pro
CPU/Ram: p3/512
Model/Manufacturer: dell

Comment:

have older pc with usb 1.0 port.
need new printer.
all printers now seem to require usb 2.0.
will they work with my usb 1.0?
will the printer's usb 2.0 connector fit in my pc's usb 1.0 port?
thanks

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Response Number 1

Name: Cuffy
Date: March 30, 2008 at 16:24:55 Pacific
Subject: is usb 1. port ok with new printer?

Reply: (edit)

You'll need an adapter card.
Do you have an empty PCI slot?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...

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Response Number 2

Name: Cuffy
Date: March 30, 2008 at 16:53:56 Pacific
Subject: is usb 1. port ok with new printer?

Reply: (edit)

You may do better here on price for a card plus shipping??
http://www.directron.com/usbcard.html
NewEgg shipping seemed a tad high for a simple adapter card.
YMMV

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Response Number 3

Name: TheNerd
Date: March 30, 2008 at 16:54:11 Pacific
Subject: is usb 1. port ok with new printer?

Reply: (edit)

USB 1 and 2 connectors are exactly the same. There is a good chance you might be able to run a USB 2.0 printer on a USB 1.0 computer. USB 1.0 is much slower but if you don't mind waiting a few seconds longer then it shouldn't really be a problem.
You can also get a USB 2.0 addon card like Cuffy mentioned.
Tech Alpha Computer Forums - http://www.techalpha.net

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Response Number 4

Name: OtheHill
Date: March 30, 2008 at 17:27:38 Pacific
Subject: is usb 1. port ok with new printer?

Reply: (edit)

USB is usually backward compatible. Read the documentation for the printer. If the port is actually USB 1.0 and not 1.1 then you may have a problem. USB 1 is much slower than USB 2 but that shouldn't make any difference with a printer.

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Response Number 5

Name: aegis
Date: March 30, 2008 at 17:51:35 Pacific
Subject: is usb 1. port ok with new printer?

Reply: (edit)

I agree with Othehill. I don't know why USB2 would be a requirement for a printer. Printers are slow as hell and USB1 should be many times fast enough.

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Response Number 6

Name: Cuffy
Date: March 30, 2008 at 17:53:23 Pacific
Subject: is usb 1. port ok with new printer?

Reply: (edit)

This guy explains it nicely!
"As Wayne points out, a USB1 vs. USB2 port matters at the top end. USB1 is 12Mb/s max while USB2 is 400. Broadband internet is usually 1.5-3Mb/s."

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Response Number 7

Name: neon427
Date: March 31, 2008 at 00:03:05 Pacific
Subject: is usb 1. port ok with new printer?

Reply: (edit)

thank you all for taking the time
to answer my question.

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Response Number 8

Name: XpUser
Date: March 31, 2008 at 04:20:57 Pacific
Subject: is usb 1. port ok with new printer?

Reply: (edit)

As for your last question will the printer's usb 2.0 connector fit in my pc's usb 1.0 port?
Yes it will work. USB connectors are the same for USB1, USB2, and probably USB3 (assuming that this one is in the work) :-)
i_Xp/VistaUser

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Response Number 9

Name: OtheHill
Date: March 31, 2008 at 06:25:20 Pacific
Subject: is usb 1. port ok with new printer?

Reply: (edit)

Cuffy, FYI USB 2.0 has a thruput of 480Mbps. Firewire 1 has a thruput of 400Mbps.

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