Printing with Bluetooth adapter - will it work?

[Gustaf]

I got a laptop with Bluetooth, and a HP LaserJet 1010 printer. I bought
a HP BT450 adapter to be able to print things wirelessly. Now when the
product arrived, I see that it's compatible only with certain HP
printers. Therefore, I didn't unpack it yet.

I wonder: can I trust the compatibility information? Shall I return the
product or try it anyway? USB is USB and Bluetooth is Bluetooth, so why
on Earth would I need a particular printer? If the adapter supports the
standards it says it supports, how would the printer know I connect a
USB adapter rather than a USB cable from the computer?

Gustaf

 

[Warren Block]

I got a laptop with Bluetooth, and a HP LaserJet 1010 printer. I bought
a HP BT450 adapter to be able to print things wirelessly. Now when the
product arrived, I see that it's compatible only with certain HP
printers. Therefore, I didn't unpack it yet.

I wonder: can I trust the compatibility information? Shall I return the
product or try it anyway? USB is USB and Bluetooth is Bluetooth, so why
on Earth would I need a particular printer? If the adapter supports the
standards it says it supports, how would the printer know I connect a
USB adapter rather than a USB cable from the computer?

It looks like the LJ1010 is a Winprinter. That doesn't mean it won't
work with a Bluetooth adapter, just that it would be very surprising.

There's not much information on the web on this; I couldn't find a
compatibility list for the BT450 at all. If you try it, please post the
results.

 

[Fred McKenzie]

I got a laptop with Bluetooth, and a HP LaserJet 1010 printer. I bought
a HP BT450 adapter to be able to print things wirelessly. Now when the
product arrived, I see that it's compatible only with certain HP
printers. Therefore, I didn't unpack it yet.

Gustaf-

I wonder if your HP BT450 happens to be the same Bluetooth adapter for
the HP Deskjet 450 mobile printer? I have the printer and adapter. It
prints via Bluetooth from a Macintosh PowerBook G4, but is somewhat
faster via a USB cable.

The HP Deskjet 450 Bluetooth adapter fits a Compact Flash socket on the
printer, NOT USB. Next to the socket there is a small diamond-shaped
icon with the letters "CF" in it.

Check your HP LJ 1010 owner's manual to be sure you purchased the
correct adapter.

Fred

 

[Fred McKenzie]

I wonder if your HP BT450 happens to be the same Bluetooth adapter for
the HP Deskjet 450 mobile printer?

Gustaf-

I checked with the HP web site, and their BT450 is definitely NOT the
same as the Bluetooth adapter for my HP Deskjet 450.

As Warren said, there is little information available for the BT450.
Its name suggests it can be used to provide Bluetooth access to both
printers and PCs.

Perhaps Bob Headrick will read this and provide more information.
Assuming the BT450 connects to a USB port, does it have the correct end
(USB A or B) for the printer? Are additional drivers supplied with the
adapter, or are they necessary?

Fred

 

[Gustaf]

Thanks both. Since this appears to be an unknown product, I'll describe
it briefly. It looks like a USB memory stick, but it's meant to replace
the USB cable to the printer. And it's Bluetooth 2.0 compatible. There's
a CD included too, but I don't know what it contains. Here's the
compatibility list on the package:

HP Photosmart 300, 400, 7800, 8000, 8100, 8200, 8400, and 8700 series
printers; HP Photosmart 2570, 2610, 2710, 3210, and 3310 series all-in
ones; and Officejet 7310 and 7410 series all-in ones.

Nothing mentioned about Laserjet printers, but again, I don't see why it
wouldn't work. Since it's compatible with cellphones, cameras and such,
I suppose the Bluetooth part can be trusted. The question is, did they
get USB right? I'm awaiting answers from the store on this too.

Gustaf