The Mac Observer

Skip navigational links

You're viewing an article in TMO's historic archive vault. Here, we've preserved the comments and how the site looked along with the article. Use this link to view the article on our current site:
HP Talks Plans For OS X, Photosmart Support

HP Talks Plans For OS X, Photosmart Support

by , 11:45 AM EDT, April 25th, 2001

The release of OS X has seen a large number of older (and not so old) peripherals rendered useless. Driver support for the new OS is still scarce at best, and those wanting to use some older printers, scanners, controllers, and other hardware add-ons are stuck playing a wait-and-hope kind of game.

One company that has made a real effort to add OS X support to their products is Hewlett-Packard. Most of HP's USB based ink jet printers are supported out of the box with OS X, and they have also released a set of OS X drivers for many of their LaserJet series of printers. Users of HP's Photosmart printers, however, are still awaiting news as to whether their units will be supported. The Mac Observer contacted HP and found that Photosmart users are indeed in luck.

An HP representative said that Photosmart drivers offering "basic functionality" should be posted to the HP Web site soon, while full driver support for their Photosmart line should be available this Fall. According to HP:

A driver with Mac OS X support for the photosmart legacy printers (1000, 1100, 1215 & 1218) is currently under development and due to be released (via the hp website or the customer care centers) in the October/November '01 timeframe.

In the interim, there's a plan to introduce a "temporary basic functionality" driver with OS X support through the hp website fairly soon. This temporary release will allow basic printing, but no card access or save functionality. The list of supported products under the temporary driver is being finalized.

So those users with Photosmart printers should not lose faith yet, as it seems that help is on the way. You can find more information about their full line of products at HP Web site.

The Mac Observer Spin:

After angering the Mac community last year by discontinuing Mac support for their scanner line, HP is working to get themselves back in the good graces of Mac users by pumping out OS X drivers for most of their line of printer products.

Hopefully other companies will soon follow with support for scanners, CD-RW drives, game controllers, and the wealth of other devices that people rely on for everyday use.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:Guest
Subject: New Mac User... already disappointed with HP

I recently switched to Mac from Windows platform and although I am generally happy with Mac, I am not too happy that I'm unable to use my older (3 or 4 years old) HP scanner and printer (HP 4470c scanner and HP Photosmart 1215 printer ) with os x... I'm a student and it's quite expensive to upgrade printers and scanners because HP won't provide the appropriate drivers. October or November is too late to post drivers on their website (HP) and I've already had to spend money (I don't have) on a new scanner that's supported by OS X. These guys should have sat down a long time ago to sort this issue out!

Signed,
Perturbed!

Comment on this Article


You cannot edit your comments.   You cannot delete your comments.

Comments are currently closed. Please email the author instead.


Recent Headlines - Updated July 5th

Fri, 10:29 AM
News - Apple Warns of Learning Interchange Security Breach
7:30 AM
News - Happy Fourth of July!
Thu, 6:07 PM
TMO Scoop - Psystar Moves to Drop Bankruptcy Ahead of Apple Legal Battle
5:37 PM
News - Uncomfirmed Reports Say Apple & Nvidia On The Outs
4:57 PM
News - Microsoft Sick Over Barf Ad
4:09 PM
Product News - KRK Ships R6 Passive Studio Monitor for Recording
3:45 PM
John Martellaro's Blog - Particle Debris (week ending 7/2)  Juiced, Joost and Goosed
3:12 PM
Product News - ExactScan 2 Pro Released
1:56 PM
Deal Brothers - Apple TV with 160GB Hard Drive:  $324.00 Delivered
12:46 PM
TMO Appearances - TMO Appearances Jeff Gamet Shares iPhone Apps on MacJury
10:41 AM
Product News - Art Text 2.2 Adds New Templates, Layer Options [Updated]
10:04 AM
Hot Forum Topic - Deciphering Mac Sales

The Mac Observer Reader Specials

  • __________
  • Buy Stuff, Support TMO!
  • Podcast: Mac Geek Gab
  • Podcast: Apple Weekly Report
  • TMO on Twitter!