Printing Question - Which To Use?? (memory, USB, adapter, plug)

[BikesareBetter]

When printing which is faster, using a parallel cable, serial cable or USB cable?

[titaniummd]

USB is the fastest depending upon the generation you are referring (12 Mbps for 1.1, full speed and 1.5 Mbps for low speed peripherals). Serial is slowest. Parallel is in the middle using multiple parallel wires.

1394a (aka firewire) runs up to 400 Mbps.

[harry chickpea]

Not only is USB faster, many computers no longer come with the other ports.

[macroy]

You can push more data across a USB (as indicated by others) than parallel - but unless you are doing some high capacity printing (which then you'd be better off using Ethernet), you may see little to no difference between the two.

Other factors that affect how fast you print include your computer (how fast it can process the data), the printer (memory, and its output capability), and the type of print file (PS, PCL etc...).

I've not seen a serial printer in ages....

[Brian.Pearson]

I have a dot matrix printer that still has ribbon. I had thought to use it up and then recycle it, but now I'm not sure I can hook it up.

[BikesareBetter]

Hey. Thanks for all the answers and help. I really appreciate it

[njguy]

Originally Posted by Brian.Pearson

I have a dot matrix printer that still has ribbon. I had thought to use it up and then recycle it, but now I'm not sure I can hook it up.

You need a variation of these then:

USB to PARALLEL 1284 PRINTER ADAPTER CABLE 36 PIN IEEE - eBay (item 330249903135 end time Jul-08-08 05:47:00 PDT)

or

USB 2.0 TO SERIAL RS232 DB9 9 PIN ADAPTER CABLE PDA GPS - eBay (item 330250442493 end time Jul-07-08 20:24:00 PDT)

Just make sure that the Parallel or Serial end is the right (male or female) plug that would plug into your dot matrix printer.

[Brian.Pearson]

Thanks, njguy!