Can I connect my HP 4200tn Printer to my iMac using an ethernet/usb adapter

Question

Here's my situation...PLEASE HELP! I have an HP Laserjet 4200tn printer that I'm trying to hook up to my iMac. The HP printer has an ethernet port, but I can't use the iMac ethernet port directly because it's being used for my dsl. I talked to the guys at the apple store & they told me to buy a usb/ethernet adapter from them(so here's the path...HP ethernet port to usb/ethernet adapter to usb port on the iMac). What's next? I'm assuming downloading the driver from HP but then what...I'm not a computer genius but I can find my way around a keyboard...PLEASE HELP!

Answer 1

If the adapter works with the printer, and you can get a recent and proper
driver from the HP support or downloads page, it should be able to print.
And there may be alternative drivers from gimp-print open source.
There also are powered ethernet hubs you can get, so all things ethernet
can be run from the main port on the computer and not be underpowered.
In fact, I have one in a box I don't use just yet because I can run my Epson
printer via USB over my AirPort Express (or AirPort Extreme) base station
and then the other printer, an all-in-one HP OfficeJet something, can run by
wire; since it won't work as a Bonjour printer and isn't seen as an option.
Some are supported and others may be conditionally able to work in these
different situations; so you may have to change your plans if a powered
Ethernet bridge, or whatever, becomes a second option; or other ideas fail.
The options include using the printer as USB, ethernet, or wireless; and
the latter may include the need to choose a compatible wireless bridge
or a wired Ethernet powered hub. And then seeing if you can get the
printer setup to see the printer when configured in whatever selection
or setup you've chosen to use can be equally ufn (unfun.)
If I wanted to run the HP I have by ethernet, it could do it; but you have to
note these things get an ID like the internet, sort of, if you use Ethernet.
Some adapters work and others may not; so it could be a hit & miss trial.
And some say there are advantages to the Ethernet if used on a network.
Good luck & happy computing!