Linux Printer Support

MadWriter · 11-19-2008, 11:54 AM

Hello, my dad bought a EeePC 1000 and it has a type of linux on it. However, we could not get our Epson workforce 600 to work with it. We ended up taking the printer back for a refund. But, before I buy another one to try again. I was wondering if there is a list of printers that are supported by this product?

Or if anyone has any printer suggestions, I am looking for a all-in-one type of printer that has wireless. (Everyone who visits has a laptop including me)

Thanks for any input or advice you may have!

dasy2k1 · 11-19-2008, 12:02 PM

http://www.openprinting.org/printer_list.cgi

search for the printer you are considering there, it ranks the linux support from perfect to useless.

pentode · 11-19-2008, 01:26 PM

HP Printers are generally pretty well supported in Linux, but check the lists to be sure.

pixellany · 11-19-2008, 02:25 PM

Do not be concerned about specific support for the EEE---if the printer has Linux support, it will work with any version of Linux.

There are now a significant number of printers on the market that advertise Linux support right on the box.

I think HP is still #1 in Linux support, but I believe Epson is a close second.

In addition to advice already offered:

search Google with a specific name and model number---eg "Epson XYZ Linux"
look at the manufacturer's website
as a last resort, look at Turboprint

tredegar · 11-19-2008, 04:49 PM

Welcome to LQ!
The Eees run a modified version of xandros linux. It generally works well.
But you'll find much information about the Eee here: http://forum.eeeuser.com/
and here: http://wiki.eeeuser.com/

MadWriter · 11-19-2008, 08:23 PM

Yea, linux had a HUGE list of drivers for the Epson, practically all of them, except for the Workforce 600. Figures... lol.

pixellany · 11-19-2008, 10:16 PM

footnote:
When buying a printer, ask them about Linux support. It costs nothing, and eventually--after hearing Linux enough--people will get the message. From today, it shouldn't take more than another 3 years or so.....

dasy2k1 · 11-20-2008, 03:27 AM

the latest Brother pirnters have exceptional Linux support (well they do unless you refuse to install non OSS stuff)

Brother have rpm and deb drivers avalable for free download on their site
http://solutions.brother.com/linux/en_us/

lakedude · 11-20-2008, 08:48 PM

We have some fancy Tektronix that didn't have a specific Linux driver. I picked a similar Tektronix printer and installed that driver instead. Worked fine.

I wonder what the difference is between all the drivers? I guess many are similar, at least within one brand or series?

Yleeyas · 11-20-2008, 09:01 PM

I'm with dasy2k1, Brother is very well supported.

Take note of what lakedude said also. I had my Brother HL2040 running using another HL series driver just fine. (When I upgraded to Ubuntu 8.04 the proper driver came with the system

.

good luck

MadWriter · 11-22-2008, 01:44 PM

Hello again guys, I have been searching around for awhile and I think I found the printer I want... but I am still paranoid to click the buy button. So I thought I would post it here and see if you guys think it will work on my EeePC 1000 Linux OS. *especially the wireless*

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...778&CatId=3481

I implore you all for suggestions and input!

Thanks you

MadWriter · 11-22-2008, 01:57 PM

Crap nevermind, its bluetooth not Wi-fi. *sighs* I give up.

lakedude · 11-22-2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadWriter

Crap nevermind, its bluetooth not Wi-fi. *sighs* I give up.

Why does the printer need to be wireless??

As long as your PC is wireless you should be able to plug a network printer into your wireless router, couldn't you?

dasy2k1 · 11-22-2008, 05:38 PM

you can also get wireless print servers that will turn any usb printer into a wireless network one

MadWriter · 11-23-2008, 09:33 AM

The printer will be bolted/strapped to my Home Inspection work van. I guess I could get a printer server, but thats more stuff to bolt down. I am going for simplicity. I could use the bluetooth, but wifi and bluetooth together eat more battery, so I'm trying to make it one or the other. There is another HP printer that is exactly like the one I showed, just 40 bucks more, but it has wifi. I might try that one.