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johnbro23

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 12, 2004
770
0
Pittsburgh, PA
I have a Mac with bluetooth and would like to have a bluetooth printer also. I just got a new printer but it doesn't have bluetooth. Can I use a bluetooth USB adapter to plug into my printer's USB port?
 
From what I know, this won't work. I think you can buy another module ($100+) for HP printers that makes them bluetooth though.

you cant use a $30 USB bluetooth dongle though.

/asif
 
No. The printer doesn't have any way of dealing with the Bluetooth adapter. You could either go the WiFi route for wireless printing or buy a Bluetooth-capable printer like a few of the models by HP. Bluetooth is not going to provide a very fast printing experience, though, other than for text.
 
Thanks for responding. I might head down to my Apple store this week to check out the Airport Express. I dont know if its worth it to get an AE if all I'm going to use it for is printing.
 
Well, I don't know about all your experiences, but I bought a Bluetake bluetooth printer adapter (don't remember how much, but I think around $70) and it works fine with our HP laser printer. you wouldn't have any scanning functionality if it is a combo unit, but it prints just fine. I bought it from iocombo.com a while back.

But this is the only option I am aware of.
BTW, if printing very large files (heavy graphics) it's quicker to run the usb cable, since there are limitations on the speed at which bluetooth can transfer data.
 
I have just bought a bluetooth adapter for my printer. My mac find the printer, but i cant find a way of seting up the printer in the printer preferences.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks
 
To tell the truth, I now remember having a few problems setting it all up, but I think I ended up doing most of my 'setting up' through the bluetooth preferences. It was kind of trial and error for me, but you might want to look at the printers listed when you try to print something. Mine is just set as a Generic Postscript Printer, so nothing fancy, but it prints. Might want to hit Apple's kb or discussions.

Sorry I can't really help that much.

Michael
 
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