Computer Problems? Computing.Net has over 1,000,000 posts about all things technology related! Click here to start participating now! Also, check out the New User Guide.
Printer cable speeds
Name: Gumby Date: May 21, 2005 at 18:06:06 Pacific OS: Windows XP Pro CPU/Ram: 2.8 / 512
Comment:
I just got a Dell 3100cn laser printer. Which is the best cable to use, usb or parallel to LPT1?
Name: StuartS Date: May 21, 2005 at 18:31:40 Pacific
Reply:
As far as speed goes, there will be no difference. The deciding factor is how quickly the printer can print and how fast the computer can generate the page if it is a GDI printer, not how fast the computer can send the data.
Both USB and parallel are well capable of delivering data fast enough to keep the printer busy. Even USB 1.1 is well within the capabilities of most printers.
However, USB is likely to be more reliable over longer distances than a parallel cable and of course is more convenient.
Stuart
0
Response Number 2
Name: OtheHill Date: May 22, 2005 at 11:41:07 Pacific
Reply:
In addition to the excellent comments from stuart one other thing to consider is this. For most folks, printers are used only occasionally. If you fall into that catagory then USB would be a better choice because the Parallel port can then be disabled in the BIOS. This frees up an IRQ. Conversly, if you are a heavy print user and use USB for other tasks at the same times then Parallel MAY be a better choice. If using parallel be sure to get a bidirectional cable and set the parallel port settings in the BIOS as recommended by the printer manufacturer. There are three different types of parallel port settings.
0
Response Number 3
Name: Gumby Date: May 22, 2005 at 21:13:12 Pacific
Summary: Thanks for your responses folks! Yes, I've seen the cable you both pointed out. Did you know there's also a female parallel cable to male USB? That way you can extend an existing male parallell printe...
Summary: Hey thanks for the replies, guys. I opened up my computer and whaddaya know, there's a 40wire cable on my Hard Drive and an 80way on my dvdrom/rw. I switched them out and now the Hard drive has gone f...
0 
Compaq proc. question
