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#1
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HP Laserjet 1020 - standard USB cable?
Looking for a cheap laser printer, I'm leaning towards a HP Laserjet 1020.
I don't need/want anything fancy, just something to put text on paper. I don't print all that often, and when I do, it tends to be documentations. I can't stand reading involved documentations off a screen. I prefer hard copy. Easier on the eyes and easy to highlight and write notes. Anyway, the HP Laserjet 1020 specs state the interface is USB. Thats fine, but is the connector on the printer standard USB or it some proprietary BS that will need a proprietary cable? The fact that the product description doesn't say, nor does the printer come with a cable, is leaving me to cynically believe that it is probably some proprietary BS port on the printer side. If I have to buy some BS $30 cable, then I'm looking elsewhere for something that uses a standard connector -- even RS-232. Basically, looking for a cheap route to print without getting locked into manufacturer's dirty games such as those rediculously expensive carts for inkjets. (Yeah, I know the laser takes toner, but with toner at least you don't have to worry about it "drying out" like you do with ink.) Another reason I'm not wanting to spend a lot is because down the road I'm going to be spending quite a bit on a dot matrix printer as old DMP just died after 18 years of use. (Don't laugh, I use DMP for logging.) TIA... |
#2
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HP Laserjet 1020 - standard USB cable?
Anyway, the HP Laserjet 1020 specs state the interface is USB. Thats fine, but is the connector on the printer standard USB or it some proprietary BS that will need a proprietary cable? The fact that the product description doesn't say, nor does the printer come with a cable, is leaving me to cynically believe that it is probably some proprietary BS port on the printer side. If I have to buy some BS $30 cable, then I'm looking elsewhere for something that uses a standard connector -- even RS-232. (Answering my own question.) I found more detailed information (not from HP) on the Laserjet 1020, plus some close-up pictures. The connection port is standard USB. I could care less that it doesn't come with a cable, as I have at least a dozen USB cables laying around, but wasn't in the mood to play proprietary games. Compared this one with other similiar (Samsung, Brother) cheap monocolor lasers and concluded, overall, the HP Laserjet 1020 comes out on top. Still has it has cons though. Its a "Win"-printer, in that all the processing is done on the attached computer's CPU with Windoze drivers. Won't work as a standalone network printer with a USB/Ethernet wireless box. Getting it talking directly with Linux can be done (partially), but is a PITA. I'm not concerned with either as its going to be hanging off a Windoze computer, allowing everything else to get to it by hostname. |
#3
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HP Laserjet 1020 - standard USB cable?
Eric wrote:
Looking for a cheap laser printer, I'm leaning towards a HP Laserjet 1020. I don't need/want anything fancy, just something to put text on paper. I don't print all that often, and when I do, it tends to be documentations. I can't stand reading involved documentations off a screen. I prefer hard copy. Easier on the eyes and easy to highlight and write notes. Anyway, the HP Laserjet 1020 specs state the interface is USB. Thats fine, but is the connector on the printer standard USB or it some proprietary BS that will need a proprietary cable? The fact that the product description doesn't say, nor does the printer come with a cable, is leaving me to cynically believe that it is probably some proprietary BS port on the printer side. If I have to buy some BS $30 cable, then I'm looking elsewhere for something that uses a standard connector -- even RS-232. Most USB printers use a cable with a squarish connector at the printer end. I have HP, Canon, and Epson printers with usb interface and the same cable works with each. I've looked at the 1020 manual on line and it appears to use the same type cable I have. Price is likely $20-30, depending on length. Phil |
#4
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HP Laserjet 1020 - standard USB cable?
Phil Wheeler wrote:
Eric wrote: Looking for a cheap laser printer, I'm leaning towards a HP Laserjet 1020. I don't need/want anything fancy, just something to put text on paper. I don't print all that often, and when I do, it tends to be documentations. I can't stand reading involved documentations off a screen. I prefer hard copy. Easier on the eyes and easy to highlight and write notes. Anyway, the HP Laserjet 1020 specs state the interface is USB. Thats fine, but is the connector on the printer standard USB or it some proprietary BS that will need a proprietary cable? The fact that the product description doesn't say, nor does the printer come with a cable, is leaving me to cynically believe that it is probably some proprietary BS port on the printer side. If I have to buy some BS $30 cable, then I'm looking elsewhere for something that uses a standard connector -- even RS-232. Most USB printers use a cable with a squarish connector at the printer end. I have HP, Canon, and Epson printers with usb interface and the same cable works with each. I've looked at the 1020 manual on line and it appears to use the same type cable I have. Price is likely $20-30, depending on length. Phil The connector on my older HP is a B connector (large square, about 7mm more or less square) there is also a mini B that is about half that size. You can buy a 3-6 foot USB with a set of 5 or 6 conversion ends for about $20 (check Target). A 6 foot A to B (standard wide terminating in a square connection) costs less than $2. Did you check the contents description on the HP printer box. Many HP printers include the USB cable. |
#5
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HP Laserjet 1020 - standard USB cable?
On Thu, 17 Aug 2006 14:43:31 GMT, Phil Wheeler
wrote: Eric wrote: Price is likely $20-30, depending on length. Phil Price should never be over $10, depending on length. It is usually cheaper to buy half a dozen cables online, from various vendors, /with/ shipping included, than one cable at an office or computer store. Or try a local computer store (though this is not always cheaper, one of the ones in my area resells Ethernet couplers for $20), or Big Lots. You can sometimes find USB cables in a dollar store, but these might be a little /too/ cheap (not enough shielding), though for a printer, it's not as big an issue as it would be for something like a scanner. -- http://www.FenrirOnline.com Computer services, custom metal etching, arts, crafts, and much more. |
#6
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HP Laserjet 1020 - standard USB cable?
"Phil Wheeler" wrote in message ... Most USB printers use a cable with a squarish connector at the printer end. I have HP, Canon, and Epson printers with usb interface and the same cable works with each. I've looked at the 1020 manual on line and it appears to use the same type cable I have. Price is likely $20-30, depending on length. Phil Hi, My 1020 arrived last night. The "squarish connector at the printer" is just a standard USB Type-B female. I dug out an A/B USB cables and it works just fine. $20 to $30? You can certaintly get them for under $4. Average price for all my USB cables probably comes out to like 50 cents each. As for the 1020, it'll get the job done. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone wanting a standalone printer, or even a printer hanging on a Linux/BSD/MAC box, but it'll work fine as a cheap Windoze laser. My other computers are talking to it fine by hostname. I have it hanging of a Windows 2003 computer. Cheers, Eric |
#7
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HP Laserjet 1020 - standard USB cable?
"Fenrir Enterprises" wrote in message .. . computer store. Or try a local computer store (though this is not always cheaper, one of the ones in my area resells Ethernet couplers Yep, thats where I always get all the little piddly stuff like USB cables: in the "loss leader" bins at a local computer store. They dump this stuff just to get you in the door. Cheers, Eric |
#8
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HP Laserjet 1020 - standard USB cable?
Phil Wheeler wrote in news:ng%Eg.733$S_5.205
@tornado.socal.rr.com: Most USB printers use a cable with a squarish connector at the printer end. I have HP, Canon, and Epson printers with usb interface and the same cable works with each. I've looked at the 1020 manual on line and it appears to use the same type cable I have. Price is likely $20-30, depending on length. Phil IOW, a bog standard USB A-B cable. You can get the cables for much less if you look. I never paid anything more that a couple bucks for one, as I look for the deals, plus get them with most things. In fact the printer is about the only thing I got new that didn't come with one. |
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