HP PSC750 USB Cable

[Eric]

I'm in the process of setting up an HP PSC750 multipurpose printer (scans
& copies) on an older computer running Win98 SE. The machine has a Belkin
F5U220 USB 2.0 PCI controller card in it. I've been doing some shopping
for a USB 2.0 cable and I've discovered a wide spectrum of prices. Some 6
foot cables, e.g., Belkin's, sell for about $15-18 while others are much
less, e.g., those sold by http://www.cyberguys.com which sell for $2.19
(part #131 0980). Is there any reason why I shouldn't save some money here
and get the Cyberguys cable or are Belkin's cables really that much better?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated (either with USB 2.0 cables in
general or with this specific printer).

Thanks, Eric

 

[Henry]

I'm in the process of setting up an HP PSC750 multipurpose printer (scans
& copies) on an older computer running Win98 SE. The machine has a Belkin
F5U220 USB 2.0 PCI controller card in it. I've been doing some shopping
for a USB 2.0 cable and I've discovered a wide spectrum of prices. Some 6
foot cables, e.g., Belkin's, sell for about $15-18 while others are much
less, e.g., those sold by http://www.cyberguys.com which sell for $2.19
(part #131 0980). Is there any reason why I shouldn't save some money here
and get the Cyberguys cable or are Belkin's cables really that much better?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated (either with USB 2.0 cables in
general or with this specific printer).

How much did you pay for the PSC 750? And now you're worrying about
whether you can save ten dollars by buying a cheap cable? That's
'penny-wise, pound-foolish' thinking. More problems are caused by shite
cables than a lot of people realise. Do yourself a favour and get
something reliable.

cheers,

Henry

 

[Andrew Rossmann]

I'm in the process of setting up an HP PSC750 multipurpose printer (scans
& copies) on an older computer running Win98 SE. The machine has a Belkin
F5U220 USB 2.0 PCI controller card in it. I've been doing some shopping
for a USB 2.0 cable and I've discovered a wide spectrum of prices. Some 6
foot cables, e.g., Belkin's, sell for about $15-18 while others are much
less, e.g., those sold by http://www.cyberguys.com which sell for $2.19
(part #131 0980). Is there any reason why I shouldn't save some money here
and get the Cyberguys cable or are Belkin's cables really that much better?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated (either with USB 2.0 cables in
general or with this specific printer).

Any cable correctly built to USB 1 specs also meets USB 2 specs. In
other words, the specs are the same for the cables! Don't pay more just
for USB 2 rating or gold plating.

Don't forget to check local stores like WalMart or Target. A few weeks
ago, I bought a 3-pack of GE branded 6-ft/2m cables from Target in 3
colors (red, purple, blue). They were on sale for $17.99 I think. Normal
was $19.99 or so (check the price labels on the hangers carefully. The
cables were not in the right hangers. Double-check with one of those price
scanners they have around the store). That is cheaper than many
electronics stores sell a SINGLE 3-FT cable!!

 

[Eric]

How much did you pay for the PSC 750?

The printer is not owned by me, I'm assisting in the installation for a
friend who is on a budget. I have no idea how much they paid for the
printer though I do know it was purchased through eBay.

And now you're worrying about whether you can save ten dollars by buying
a cheap cable? That's 'penny-wise, pound-foolish' thinking.

There are many examples where different retail outlets sell nearly identical
items for widely varying prices. The price is usually factored by
considerations of profit margin and competition. One example I recently ran
into was with watch batteries. A certain retail outlet in my area sells a
#392 Maxell watch battery for $3.49 while another retail outlet sells a #392
Energizer watch battery for $0.79. Is the Maxell battery that different
from the Energizer battery? Probably not. Clearly, the first retail outlet
marks the price so much higher because they know that they can sell
batteries at this price and make a considerably higher profit. In addition,
while Cyberguys is selling generic USB 2.0 cables for $2.19, other outlets
such as Fry's are selling similar generic cables for $7.49. It would not
surprise me if Fry's and Cyberguys actually had the same supplier and Fry's
was just marking up the cable more because they know it will sell at that
price.

More problems are caused by shite cables than a lot of people realise.
Do yourself a favour and get something reliable.

I do not disagree with you here. A good cable is worth paying for.
However, the Cyberguys cables are "certified USB 2.0 compliant". Now I'm
not an expert on USB (otherwise I wouldn't be posting a question here), but
shouldn't a certified cable work sufficiently with this printer? Do you
have any first hand experience with Cyberguys' cables or with this
particular printer?

Thanks, Eric