do i need to install any printers drivers? or ...

[a1dipship]

just download install the ones i need from the printer manufacturers (canon) website and everything will work?

i guess i would like to know whether the installation of printer drivers are some kind of 'base' requirement?

im doing a fresh custom install right now and unchecked all the printer drivers and plan to install the ones ive download - will this be ok?

 

[Eidorian]

I'd try plugging in the printer first before installing additional drivers.

 

[OwlsAndApples]

I got my HP allinone working without needing any drivers from the disk, just worked straight away. I came across a hiccup though - the scanner would not work properly, so I just got the included Mac drivers with the printer installed.

 

[jshbckr]

With my experience, every printer I've ever plugged into OS X can print without drivers.

You need drivers for extra features, such as scanning, and more advanced printing functions (margin-less, CD printing, etc).

 

[brbubba]

With my experience, every printer I've ever plugged into OS X can print without drivers.

You need drivers for extra features, such as scanning, and more advanced printing functions (margin-less, CD printing, etc).

In my experience this has been true for me as well. However, after working for some time my driver inexplicably stopped working. On direct IP printing they would take forever, freeze up, and generally fail miserably. So I installed all the HP printer drivers for the two printers I need and it now works much much better.

 

[operator]

I have a Lexmark All in One printer ... it comes with a disc w/Mac drivers, but I never used the disc, and the printer works fine.

 

[a1dipship]

update

i didnt install any printers drivers, saving 2.1gb if i recall correctly. i then installed the drivers specific to my canon printer from the canon website and everything worked with complete ease.

therefore save yourself 2.1gb on drive and dont install any drivers or languages (1.1gb). i also didnt install iwork demo (2gb) and some other little things so my base installation was 10gb. it could have been close to 5-6gb if hadnt installed garageband.... but i figured i might play with that one day ...

 

[MisterMe]

Getting a printer to work on your Mac is not magic. Apple includes drivers for a wide array of printers from popular manufacturers. Before installing new drivers, follow Eidorian's advice and try to setup your printer first. You need download and install drivers from the manufacturer only if your specific model is not supported by Apple's bundled drivers.

 

[Eidorian]

im doing a fresh custom install right now and unchecked all the printer drivers and plan to install the ones ive download - will this be ok?

Then you're going to need to install those drivers from Canon then.