[Tennberg]

Hello everyone,

I am building a Mac OS X image for worldwide use in our company. I am building the image on a new PowerBook and first used the 10.3 CDs and then updated it using the 10.3.5 Combo Updater.

I then installed every available update from Software Update, including iSync 1.5 and Java 1.4.2 Update 1.

For printers we use that already have print drivers listed in the Printer Setup Utility, is it best to use those drivers or is it best to go to that particular company's website (e.g. HP) and install the drivers from their site? I figured I would just install the drivers for printers not listed in there, and leave the rest alone.

Thanks for your insights.

[gorickey]

Unless a particular printer driver has been updated since Panther came out, I wouldn't worry about downloading them from the company's sites.

I would, like you suggested, simply add the printers that you have that aren't in there already and call it good...

[eyadams]

One nice thing about manufacturer's drivers is they often access features that aren't available in Apple's drivers. For example, I could never check the ink level on my Epson printers unless I installed their drivers. Another was Canon's drivers came with settings for their photo quality paper - you could select the Canon photo paper, and everything just automatically worked.

I recommend using the manufacturers drivers.

[fiesta cat]

Originally posted by eyadams:
Another was Canon's drivers came with settings for their photo quality paper - you could select the Canon photo paper, and everything just automatically worked.

I recommend using the manufacturers drivers.

I've got a Canon and recommend Canon's drivers if you think there is even a slim chance of somebody using them for photos/heavy graphics. Otherwise, stick with those that came with it.

[Art Vandelay]

BTW, the drivers included with the OS install are the manufacturers' drivers, not Apple's. The reason you see differences in functionality is that the ones included with the OS are generally much older than the ones currently available from the manufacturer.

[Big Mac]

Originally posted by Art Vandelay:
BTW, the drivers included with the OS install are the manufacturers' drivers, not Apple's. The reason you see differences in functionality is that the ones included with the OS are generally much older than the ones currently available from the manufacturer.

No, the drivers that Apple includes are CUPS drivers. That's why they're missing the extra functionality you get with the third party drivers. Two things to remember about Printer Setup Utility:

1) Epson OEM drivers must be selected by going to the "Epson USB" category, rather than the regular Epson category.

2) Make sure that you remove the CUPS driver for your printer if/when you select the OEM driver. If you don't do this, it will confuse the printer.