Mac-compatible Dot Matrix Printer?
May 12, 2024 9:42 AM Subscribe
I am looking for a new dot matrix printer that will work with my Apple computer.
I long for the days of cheap dot-matrix printing, and it turns out there are brand-new dot matrix printers on the market, mostly by Epsom, aimed directly at people like me, who want a cheap per-page black and white printing option. But all of their specs say they work only with various Windows iterations. I use a MacBook, so would love to find one that is compatible. Any ideas?
If not, I'll plan to get a Windows machine when my current very old laptop needs to be replaced. But I'm absolutely geeked about the idea of a dot-matrix printer so if it's possible to get one sooner, that would be great.
I long for the days of cheap dot-matrix printing, and it turns out there are brand-new dot matrix printers on the market, mostly by Epsom, aimed directly at people like me, who want a cheap per-page black and white printing option. But all of their specs say they work only with various Windows iterations. I use a MacBook, so would love to find one that is compatible. Any ideas?
If not, I'll plan to get a Windows machine when my current very old laptop needs to be replaced. But I'm absolutely geeked about the idea of a dot-matrix printer so if it's possible to get one sooner, that would be great.
I just convinced my Okidata Microline 1120 dot matrix printer to print on my modern Mac. It's modern enough that it has a USB port but I was only able to get it to print by using a USB to parallel cable. The drivers are built into macOS (I chose "Oki 9-pin series"). Since it's a 9-pin printer the quality is pretty bad. It's also loud and randomly stopped printing in the middle of the page. Also if you don't have tractor feed paper you have to feed paper in one page at a time.
posted by zsazsa at 11:51 AM on May 12 [2 favorites]
posted by zsazsa at 11:51 AM on May 12 [2 favorites]
The LX-350 is the cheapest impact printer that Epson still make. It's still more expensive that that Brother laser, though. It will very likely be supported by CUPS, Apple's printing system.
OKI no longer sell printers in North America, and that makes me sad.
posted by scruss at 3:27 PM on May 12
OKI no longer sell printers in North America, and that makes me sad.
posted by scruss at 3:27 PM on May 12
I'd bet that CUPS, the Common UNIX.Printing Service can drive any FX-80 clone.
But I'm absolutely geeked about the idea of a dot-matrix printer
I aspired to no-visible-dots and I've been delighted by thousands of pages of colour laser over the past two decades, may your choice delight you!
posted by k3ninho at 3:59 PM on May 12
But I'm absolutely geeked about the idea of a dot-matrix printer
I aspired to no-visible-dots and I've been delighted by thousands of pages of colour laser over the past two decades, may your choice delight you!
posted by k3ninho at 3:59 PM on May 12
→
It can — but only newer printers with bidirectional parallel or USB can work with MacOS to use the correct driver. Older printers require you to tell your mac what printer they are.
I just got an OKI ML-320/Turbo printing (slowly, loudly) with a MacBook
posted by scruss at 7:42 PM on May 15 [1 favorite]
I'd bet that CUPS, the Common UNIX.Printing Service can drive any FX-80 clone.
It can — but only newer printers with bidirectional parallel or USB can work with MacOS to use the correct driver. Older printers require you to tell your mac what printer they are.
I just got an OKI ML-320/Turbo printing (slowly, loudly) with a MacBook
posted by scruss at 7:42 PM on May 15 [1 favorite]
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https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5194378?answerId=5194378021&sortBy=best#5194378021
posted by maloqueiro at 11:06 AM on May 12 [1 favorite]