[athun]

I am finally upgrading to a new G4 733 PowerMac (if I can ever get one sent to me) and still want to use my good old Apple Laserwriter 360 laser printer. I don't mind saying goodbye to my other ADB, SCSI and serial peripherals (I know I could get a card but I think firewire and USB are superior to the older methods) but I would still like to use this printer for everyday text, etc. (my Epson ProXL color inkjet is already Ethernet connected). I considedered getting a low-priced $250 Epson USB laser printer but didn't like the reviews on them, and USB may be faster than serial but I think it is slower than Ethernet.

I found that Farralon makes their $100 EtherMac iPrint Adapter, and Asante offers this solution via their AsanteTalk adapter. Any experience on which is better/preferred? Will I gain any speed with an Ethernet connection or will I still be hampered when it passes through to the serial port?

Thanks

You will not see a speed increase, since the data still has to go in through the serial port. However, these adapters are a good way to extend the life of an older printer. We have a couple of these hooked up at work, and they are still chugging away, albeit VERRRRY slowly.

[WDL]

I'm sharing my LaserWriter Select 360 between 2 iMacs and a Performa 6360.

Both iMacs go ethernet to a Kingston 5 port SOHO hub/router - ethernet from
the Kingston to an Asanté ethernet/localtalk bridge - localtalk from the Asanté
to the Performa - to the LWS 360. Worked like a charm right from plug in.


The 2 iMacs are sharing a DSL connection thru the Kingston as well. I did not want
the Performa to be exposed to the net since it's my business Mac.

The Asanté comes with cables and beautiful diagrams.

Tip: Get the FastNet brand of local talk adapters - they have built-in on/off
terminator switches - handy and neat looking.

Hoyt mentioned extending the life of "these older printers." The specs for the
LWS 360 show a minimum life expectancy of 300,000 prints - at the seven year
mark, I'm at 78,000 to date. I don't think I'll live long enough to prove the specs.

These suckers were built to last - and to date, never a problem - except I've had
2 or 3 faulty cartridges which Apple (resellers) replace.

Raises a point - Apple will replace a faulty cartridge for up to a year from date of
purchase, but my reseller here only allows two weeks. Really pi**es me off,
because I hate running out of toner, but I can't really buy a cartridge in advance
of need, because of the short replacement period by the reseller.

WDL

[athun]

Thanks for the replies.

Looks like Buy.com has the lowest price on the Farralon ($87.95) but the Asant¨¦ you recommend is higher ($101.95). Are the included cables in the Asante worth $23 or is there a more compelling reason to purchase the higher priced one?

Hurry, their free shipping offer ends Wednesday ......

[athun]

Sorry, I can't do math very well:

Are the added cables worth **$14** more dollars?

Thanks again.

[WDL]

Can't give an opinion on the Farralon because I've never used one.

All I can say is, I was impressed by the Asanté right from opening
the box, because it was so complete and the diagrams and
instructions were so complete and clear. A class act.

WDL

[tjcrebs]

Same recommendation.

My AsantéTalk bridge has worked perfectly with my iMac(Rev/A)-to-HPLaserJet since Aug-98. Last year I bought Pismp and bought the $30 Asanté Ethernet hub--now the old iMac and Pismo print to Laserjet. Just changed the included cables--from yellow crossover (for single iMac usage) to regaular gray (for hubbed usage). No problemo ever.

Farralon's iPrint used to be the same price as the AsantéTalk. I bought the Asanté and recommend it highly. However, I too, have no experience with the Farrallon.

Good Luck, T.

[tjcrebs]

ClubMac is selling the AsantéTalk Ethernet bridge for $79.99 (after manufacturer mail-in rebate of $20.) Item No. A120-1144, tele: 1-800-258-2622, also http://www.clubmac.com

Good Luck, T.

[Scotttheking]

I use a Powermac 6100 to bridge my ethernet and localtalk networks.
It is slow, but it works, and i run a pay to process thing on the 6100.
Or it can be used as a cheap (and slow) internet terminal if you share your net connection, otherwise just a typing terminal.

[athun]

Hey Thanks, TJ!

Unfortunately I had already purchased the AsanteTalk from Buy.com before I read your post (and they don't price match ClubMac, plus I read your post more than 72 hours after the order) so I missed their lower price.

But, I went to the site and to the rebate linK:
http://www.clubmac.com/rebates/rebat.../A120_1144.pdf

and the rebate comes right from Asante, so I can still get the $20 rebate no matter where I purchased it. Thanks again!

[TheJoshu]

Before you spend your $100+ on the hardware bridge, you might try Apple's unsupported control panel, aptly titled LocalTalk Bridge:
http://asu.info.apple.com/swupdates.nsf/artnum/n11358

I haven't tried it yet, and I've heard there are some incompatibilities with newer systems and OS's. I'll post again this afternoon after I attempt to use it on my 4400/200, which is part of an Ethernet network and needs to be connected to another LocalTalk networked LaserJet III. Good luck.

------------------
Graphite iMac DV/SE (400MHz, 128 MB RAM, DVD, 13GB HD)
Coming Up Next: 500MHz Titanium PowerBook G4!

Some people call me the space cowboy. Yeah. Some call me the gangster of love. Some people call me Maurice (woo hoo!), 'cause I speak of the pompitous of love.

[Walter J. Ferstl]

Joshu,

if you just want to connect a LaserWriter (equipped with LocalTalk) as opposed to a whole LocalTalk network, you might try also LaserWriter Bridge by Apple (unsupported, too, something like the little brother of LocalTalk Bridge). It is also downloadable from Apple in the "unsupported" area and it works great for me with a 4/600 LaserWriter and two PPC Macs (7600 and 7100).

Walter.