This article explains how to connect serial, parallel, or LocalTalk peripheral devices to iMac, Power Macintosh, PowerBook, and iBook computers with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or Ethernet port.

With the proper adapter, a serial, parallel, or LocalTalk printer can be connected to your computer's USB or Ethernet port. Sometimes, a new printer driver is required. Check with the adapter's vendor for compatibility information.

To determine how your printer was designed to communicate with your computer, refer to its owners guide. Once you know whether the printer is serial, parallel, or LocalTalk, refer to the proper section below for adapter information.

Popular Ink Jet Printer Adapters

For connecting some of the more popular ink jet printers via USB.

• The Epson Stylus Color 740 has built-in USB support. Epson offers a USB/Parallel Printer Adapter Kit for use with many of their other printers. Further information is available at: http://www.epson.com/northamerica.html
• The Hewlett Packard (HP) Printer Cable Kit, which allows HP's Deskjet 670C, 672C, 690C, 692C and 694C printers and others to connect to the USB port. Further information is available at: http://www.hp.com
• ALPS, Inc. has announced their intention to deliver an adapter cable for several of their MicroDry ink jet printers. More information is available at: http://www.alpsusa.com

USB to Parallel Adapters

For connecting printers with a parallel port to the USB port.

• USB Parallel Adaptor by Belkin: http://www.belkin.com
• Strydent Software offers PowerPrint USB, which enables you to print from many common ink jet printers. http://www.strydent.com/

USB to Serial Adapters

For connecting printers with a serial port to the USB port.

• Momentum, Inc. offers the uConnect for Printers. More information is available at http://www.momentumus.com/
• Keyspan offers the Keyspan USB Serial Adapter, which provides two serial ports for connecting to your Macintosh serial devices. More information is available at: http://www.keyspan.com/

Ethernet to LocalTalk Adapters

For connecting a LocalTalk device via the Ethernet port.

Check the following web sites for additional information on Ethernet to LocalTalk Adapters:

• Asante: http://www.asante.com/
• Farallon: http://www.farallon.com/products/ether/adapters/iprintadapter.html
• Sonic Systems: http://www.sonicsys.com/

Ethernet to Serial Adapters - For connecting a serial device to the Ethernet port.
• Farallon offers the EtherMac iPrint Adapter SL, which connects the following StyleWriter printer models to a USB equipped Macintosh: StyleWriter I, II, 1200, 1500, 2200, 2400, and 2500. Other serial printers are not supported. More information is available at: http://www.farallon.com/products/ether/adapters/iprintadapter.html

More information on USB:

For further information on connecting your iMac computer to other printers or older Macintosh computers, visit the iMac Connectivity Guide.

Related Articles on Connecting Older Peripherals to iMac:

• article 43028: iMac: Where Can I Get a Floppy Drive?
• article 43025: iMac: Can I Use My Old Joystick?
• article 43026: iMac: Can I Use My External SCSI Hard Disk?


• For further information about USB peripherals, visit http://guide.apple.com/uscategories/usb.html
• For further information on USB in Apple products, visit http://www.apple.com/usb/

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