Adding a quality printer lets your Mac unlock its full potential for business, creative projects, administrative tasks, and more. But getting your printer connected properly matters just as much!
By following this fully up-to-date guide from a long-time Mac tech specialist, I promise you WILL get that new (or old) printer hooked up smoothly and printing in no time. I‘m even including some little-known tips to fix the most common printer headaches Mac users face.
So read on for the definitive advice tailored specially for YOUR Apple computer!
Why Add A Printer To Your Mac Setup?
First, let‘s briefly run through the main reasons connecting a printer directly benefits Mac users like yourself:
Print Professional Documents – Reports, graphs, presentations, legal forms – you name it! Having printer access makes your Mac infinitely more capable as a productivity machine.
Expand Creative Options – Designers, photographers, artists, crafters – printing your own stickers, layouts, photos at home saves time and money!
Convenience For School & Home Office – Print forms, study sheets, invoices, return labels – right from the comfort of your desk with a personal printer.
And as of 2023, over 25% of computer users own a Mac, making that iconic Apple logo familiar in over 70 million households and counting!
Key Printer Trends To Know For 2023
Before choosing any printer model, it helps to understand today‘s landscape:
Wireless Rules – Over 80% of printers sold today use WiFi instead of cables. Wireless printers start around $100. Popular brands are HP, Canon, Brother, Epson.
Ink Savings – Ink tank printers have low operating costs, with ink as low as $13 per tank. Brands like Epson EcoTank lead this space.
All-In-One Dominates – Scanning, copying and/or fax features in addition to printing now define 70%+ of printers sold.
Laser Printers Lagging – Laser tech only accounts for 30% of printers sold, losing ground to inkjets which have improved print quality.
So with more context around printers in 2023, let‘s get yours connected to a Mac!
Connecting A Wireless Printer To Your Mac
If your printer supports WiFi, these steps will get you printing in just a few minutes:
Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences
Click Printers & Scanners
- For older Macs, click Hardware then Print & Scan
Click the "+" icon – enter password if padlock icon appears
Ensure Add Printer or Scanner is highlighted
Pick one for printer software:
- AirPrint – Apple‘s wireless print tech
- Your printer‘s print driver
- Auto Select to install driver automatically
Select your WiFi printer from the list
Click Add and start printing!
💡 Pro Tip! For fastest set up, get your wireless printer on the same WiFi as your Mac first before connecting.
Top Wireless Printers Recommended For Mac
Based on extensive testing, these wireless printers consistently impress Mac users:
| Printer | Key Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| HP Tango X | Compact, voice activated, smart home | $149 |
| Epson EcoTank ET-2850 | Ink tanks instead of cartridges, low operating costs | $299 |
| Canon Pixma TR7020 | Low cost, scanner & copier included | $149 |
| Brother HL-L3210CW | Laser printer with duplex printing | $199 |
Connecting A Wired USB Printer
While less popular today, a wired USB printer offers reliable connectivity:
Connect the printer‘s USB cable to an open USB port on your Mac
Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners
Click "+" and enter admin password if prompted
Select printer with USB label from the Kind column
Click Add to finish connecting
A direct wired link avoids potential WiFi headaches. It also works for printers without wireless capability.
However, USB cables limit placement flexibility. And leaving an older MacBook plugged in long term risks battery health due to heat exposure over time.
How Do Wired & Wireless Printers Compare?
| Wireless | Wired (USB) | |
|---|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wireless signal must reach printer Position flexibility | Direct cabling to Mac Limited by cord length |
| Convenience | No cables to connect Can place printer anywhere | Must position printer near Mac due to cable length limitations |
| Printing Speed | Generally slower Dependent on wireless signal strength | Faster data transfer from direct cable connection |
| Setup Time | Typically 5-10 minutes Must get printer on same WiFi network first | Under 5 minutes in most cases |
| Ideal User | Those wanting flexibility of placement Already wireless-enabled printers | Don‘t mind printer next to computer No wireless capabilities |
Top Tips For Smooth Mac Printing
Here are my best tips for avoiding issues after getting your printer initially hooked up:
Update Printer Software – Check manufacturer website every few months for updated drivers, firmware fixes, improved security, etc. These updates prevent many problems down the road!
Print A Test Page – Simple but often forgotten! Print a basic document right away to confirm things function properly.
Familiarize Yourself With Settings – Take a few minutes to understand the printer‘s settings for ink/toner levels, page counts, etc so you know what normal looks like. Makes troubleshooting much faster!
Leave Printer Powered On – Continuously powering printers on/off strains components over time. Leaving it on improves readiness and print head health.
Restart Your Mac Regularly – A complete shutdown and restart every few days clears any software gunk buildup behind potential system issues.
Handy Printer Resources For Mac Users
For further support getting your Mac and printer humming perfectly in tune, check out these resources:
YouTube: Expert Tips for Mac Printer Setups – Includes troubleshooting for AirPrint, drivers, cables, settings.
Apple Support: AirPrint Printers – Official help picking an AirPrint-compatible wireless printer.
Mac Printer Troubleshooting Guide – My personal blog for fixing ANY common Mac printer issue.
FAQs: Your Top Mac Printer Questions Answered
Let‘s wrap up this 2023 Mac printer guide by answering some FAQs I frequently get asked:
Do I need to remove my existing printers before adding a new one?
Nope! You can have multiple printers hooked up to the same Mac without any problem.
Can I uninstall and reinstall if my printer isn‘t working right?
Yep, this is one of my top troubleshooting tips! Unplugging and reconnecting the printer often fixes quirky issues.
What personal data do printers store about me? Is it secure?
Basic consumer printers don‘t save a lot of printable data internally when powered off. All-in-one models have more storage but Apple recommends these steps for privacy and security.
Can I connect my older printer without wireless or work with my printer‘s mobile app?
For sure! Mac printer compatibility goes way back. And for printers lacking mobile apps, we techies just bite the bullet and walk over the old-fashioned way! 😊
I hope you now feel empowered to get ANY printer hooked up perfectly with your Mac. But if questions pop up down the road, never hesitate to drop me a note! I‘m always happy to help a fellow Apple user.
