[MemphisMac]

I recently purchased a used Color StyleWriter 2400 (for $25) to use with iMac. I knew that the cabling wouldn't match up right, but for $25, what the heck.

Now I just need to know what kind of hardware is out there that I can use to connect the two.

Any suggestions?

[Jerommeke]

i remember seeing things some time ago with you can put under your imac, connect to your imac, and have more usb ports and a modem and printer port but i forgot the name

if you got a network at your house, you could also connect it to an older mac you maybe have with a printer port and share it over the network.... although i don't know if it will work this way on os x

[OldManMac]

You need a Keyspan USB - Serial adaptor. Sorry to pop your bubble, but for the $79 you could have gotten a cheap Epson inkjet that does a much better job.

Compucable's iDock goes under the iMac.
iDock features 2 Mac serial ports, a 3-port USB hub and a parallel port (PowerPrint included).
iDock 2 features 2 Mac serial ports, an ADB port, a floppy drive and ? USB Ports.
Don't think they're being manufactured anymore, though.

If your iMac is Rev A or B (233 MHz) you can get Griffin Tech's iPort which gives you a real mac serial port (incl. LocalTalk) and an external monitor connector (DB-15, either mirroring or external display only). Internal installation required.

All this said, the Keyspan adapter might work, although some Stylewriters had problems with commtoolbox only devices (ie, when the mac serial port is "rewired" to USB eg via software, rather than hardware, which is also why LocalTalk networking won't work with any of these adapters).

I agree with above, get a cheap USB printer, sell the StyleWriter on ebay.
Apart from the connection trouble, the StyleWriter 2400 was not that great a printer (had one), tends to pull the paper in crooked and the ink carts are just as expensive as ones for more modern printers (Canon still makes them).

[rjc3]

as a last ditch effort at spending as little money as possible for the performance of yesteryear, if you have a bondi (original) iMac, you might be able to find a serial adapter that fits in teh mezzanine slot on that model. I seem to remember these being available at one time. Maybe give Shreve Systems a call or check on ebay. I would think that you could get one of these dirt cheap. GOod luck.

[Paul S]

The mezzanine serial adapter is the iPort from Griffin Technology. Check it out here. http://www.griffintechnology.com/serial/iport.html It's only compatible with Rev A and B iMacs. It's also just as expensive as a Keyspan adapter, which works with more than just the original iMacs.

[Paco500]

I bet you could buy a IIci w/ an ethernet card for less than a serial adapter. Make that a print server.

I would gess you could get the setup for $15.

Paco

[romeosc]

Sam's has the Cannon BC2114 for $29!

Don't waste your time & money buying a keyspan serial adapter etc.

[randydarden]

Originally posted by Paco500:
<STRONG>I bet you could buy a IIci w/ an ethernet card for less than a serial adapter. Make that a print server.
</STRONG>

That's a great suggestion - my brother is doing something very similar with his iMac and a Personal Laserwriter. He already had his iMac networked to an old PowerBook 5300 for file sharing. Connecting the LaserWriter to the PB5300 and installing Apple's "LocalTalk Bridge" control panel on the PowerBook lets him see the LaserWriter from his iMac.

You can find "LocalTalk Bridge" in Apple's support download area. Just search for the name.

Randy

[rjc3]

OWC (macsales.com) has the Compucable iDock for $15! This should allow you to use your 2400.