connecting Image Writer II Dot Matrix to iMac G5

jmg91580 said:

Hello,

I'm trying to connect an Image Writer II Dot Matrix Printer to an iMac G5 and have no clue what products to buy to do that. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks

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It may be possible to buy a USB to whatever it is converter, but you won't have the drivers. Take the money you would spend on such a cable/converter (perhaps >$25) and put it towards a cheap inkjet. Or spend a bit more and get a cheap laser. I honestly would not bother spending anything to put the ImageWriter into use.

If I'm correct the Image Writer has an AppleTalk/LocalTalk port to connect to your Mac. There is a converter for this. I use it to connect my PM G5 to my Personal Laserwriter NT. I can also print from a network with this (connected to my router). The converter is called Farallon EtherMac iPrint Adapter. You can still buy them second hand, but they are a bit pricey. Also it takes a while to get a printjob done.

jmg91580 said:

i'm actually intentionally trying to use a dot matrix printer. I'm a graphic designer and its for a specific project. I know it seams ridiculous, but im really trying to do whatever i can to make the dot matrix work. 🙂

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The best way is to find and old mac, one that will connect directly to the printer. I think ithe connection was called "Apple Talk". Then you connect the old Mac to your Eithernet and share the printer. The trick is to find the smallest, lowest priced old Mac that will work. You can buy these now for just the cost of shipping. I may even have some old LXes I'd sell for not much. But I'd get something that can run OS9 and still has the Apple Talk connection on it. While desktop Macs like this are nearly free it may pay to spend the bucks for an old notebook. These use less power and take up less space and come with a display built in. This should "just work" and OS9 come with the right drivers.