USB or Parallel

[Bob Peraner]

I just bought a HP Laserjet with two ways to connect, USB2.0 or parallel
port. Does either have advantages over the other?
Bob

 

[Frazer Jolly Goodfellow]

I just bought a HP Laserjet with two ways to connect, USB2.0 or
parallel port. Does either have advantages over the other?
Bob

In terms of functionality and performance, there should be no
difference. USB wins hands down for: lower cost to make, less clunky
connectors, lighter cable.

 

[JS]

Unless the User's Manual gives some strong reason to use a parallel cable,
I'd use USB as the cable is thinner and more flexible.

JS

 

[Ghostrider]

I just bought a HP Laserjet with two ways to connect, USB2.0 or parallel
port. Does either have advantages over the other?
Bob

If parallel port is an option on the motherboard and in the
printer, then use it. The parallel port is a more permanent
fixture and an HP LaserJet is not all that mobile. OTOH, save
the USB ports for light-weight, detachable devices that can
be easily hot-swapped.

 

[paulmd]

If parallel port is an option on the motherboard and in the
printer, then use it. The parallel port is a more permanent
fixture and an HP LaserJet is not all that mobile. OTOH, save
the USB ports for light-weight, detachable devices that can
be easily hot-swapped.

While hot swapping a parallel port isn't officialy recommended, It's
exteremely unlikely to do any damage.

Parallel ports are an aging technology, they have nearly dissappeared
in laptops because they're just so big. And USB does support a higher
data transfer rate. Though you're unlikely to notice in a laser
printer.

 

[Jonny]

Since that printer you mention is normally left connected, no advantage
either way. If you aren't going to use the printer/parallel port, disable
it in the bios setup. If you do use it for the printer, enable ECP function
for the port in the bios setup.