To offload the main front page news I created this page to list owner feedback on using an HP 4M Laser printer with a new Mac (B&W G3 or G4 system) that has no serial ports. This was in response to a reader's request for a working adapter/solution before buying a new G4 system. I've also added a link to this page in the FAQ's Printers and How-To section.

Update: A reader sent a note about a lower cost (than the Jetdirect) solution for B&W G3, G4 Tower and iMac (G3/233-333Mhz model) system owners - low cost serial port adapters from Griffin and GeeThree:

" Thanks a hell of a lot for your site. I spent a lot of time trying to find a product that would let my G3 talk to the Apple LaserWriter. All the catalog places I called suggested an ethernet hub and some Asante adapter which would work but cost just under $200. I didn't want a desk full of devices so I found a part from Griffin Technology that replaces the internal modem (no prob since I have cable modem) and allows you to connect the printer with a serial cable. I'm sure a lot of people would benefit from these two companies' products.

http://www.geethree.com/stealth.html
http://www.griffintechnology.com/index.html
Velko M. "

GeeThree also has an Installation page for the Stealth adapter with guides for each compatible mac model. Cube owners needing a serial port may want to look at Griffin's CubePort serial adapter also. Griffin's Serial complete line of serial port adapters are listed here.
[previous article comments follow]

One solution (fast, although expensive) is the Jetdirect card option for the printer according many owners. For information on the Jetdirect (including part numbers) see HP's Available Accessories for LJ Printers (Series II, III, and 4). [Thanks to Michael Faurote for the link.]

The following is a sample of mails from readers successfully using the printer with a Mac without serial ports:

"Mike,
I'm using an HP 4M plus here with our G4. If the reader is thinking about getting a JetDirect card, he should just hook it up via the ethernet port (crossover cable or hub), not the USB port.

Then just use the Laserwriter 8 driver to print to the HP (printer description downloadable from HP's website if he doesn't have it already). The JetDirect card supports Appletalk as well as TCP/IP, so the printer will show up in the Chooser just like any Mac printer.
Al Brower"

" I've got a HP 4M at home. (I don't have a G4, but this idea will work.) I went up on ebay and bought an ethernet Jet Direct card to put in the printer. Cost: about $65. Add either a crossover cable ($10) or a hub and 2 cables ($30) and you have a solution that will cost less than $100 and will work perfectly. (And, as a side benifit, you can network your other machines too!)
Mick"

"Mike:
I also have a LaserJet 4M. This printer originally shipped with just the localtalk card. However, your reader asking the question would get the best performance by replacing the localtalk card in the printer with an ethernet card. He could then connect it all to a ethernet hub and have a nice little network.

Many of these cards are available used or on Ebay (I just did an ebay search and there were plenty available). I don't remember the part number of the card appropriate for the 4m, but there are a few models that should be compatible.

I have been using mine in the above configuration for years.. for a $120 part, I got a huge upgrade in printing speed by going ethertalk instead of localtalk. There is no better way!
--Mike "

"I'm using a Laserjet 4M printer, which is cabled up to a G4 system. Initially, I had the same concerns (about printing and compatibility issues).

I purchased the Ethernet/Localtalk adapter (for about $100). It works very well. I have not had any problems with the product; in short, it works as advertised, and allows for Postscript printing.

My advice is to forget about the less expensive solutions, as they limit the printer's scope.

Keep your PS options open, and your Localtalk network alive. BTW: I occasionally run my PowerBook (lombard) into the Ethernet Hub, and then print to the LJ4M. It's a piece of cake.
rick

[He later wrote in reply to my question on what adapter with the following:]
I bought an Asante (I think) box that connects to Ethernet on one side, and has a Localtalk port on the other. This, I believe, is a much less expensive solution than the JetDirect stuff. And it works great. "

"The answer seems amazingly simple to me...
The HP should have Ethernet on the built-in JetDirect card - all you need is a crossover cable!

If not, replace the JetDirect card with one that has Ethernet. No emulation, all PostScript, faster than USB!!!
Al Camentz
Mac Consultant"

I agree, I'd not use USB personally, as it's very slow (1.5MB/sec max - 12Mbits/sec = 1.5MBytes/sec).

"I use my G4/450 Mac (bought in early October) with HP 4MP printer. The trick for me is the Asante IPrint gizmo - it is Ethernet-LocalTalk adapter. Actually I got that thing, plugget it in and it works without a single problem. You select your printer and set-it up using Chooser.

I also have an Epson Photo EX printer and this one is attached using USB port. Using Chooser I can switch destination of the print job (did not tried yet if the printer selection would work using CSM. Hope this would be enough info on this subject, if you need more let me know.
Jacek Jagodzinski "

"Hi,
before Neil starts spending money on problematic LocalTalk or parallel interfaces or the USB card, he should consider buying an Ethernet JetDirect printer server. I own a LJ 4000 TN (N means JetDirect card included), and used LJ 4 and LJ 5 printers with those network interface cards before and always loved it. I don't know the price of the USB JetDirect, but even if the Ethernet version costs a good bit more, it's worth every cent/penny, it's compatible to everything (AppleTalk and TCP/IP) and extremely convenient (plug-and-play and ultra-fast).

If he's using the printer on his G4 alone, he could connect both with a twisted pair crossover cable, worked fine for me before I got a hub. If he ever happens to get another Mac or even PC he can connect everything with a hub, totally hassle-free.

I can print from my 3 Macs here and even the emulated VirtualPC on my G3 can use the LJ 4000 as a normal TCP/IP printer...
Steffen Barabasch"

" I work on a college campus and I have had experience with just about every pront solution available. I agree that the iPrint and the PowerPrint USB/parallel cables are flakey solutions. They are unreliable and often create weird errors and crashes.

Currently the best solution we have found is the HP Jet Direct card with USB support. We have a G3 Blue/White and a Laserjet 2100 with the USB card and it works flawlessly. The configuration of the printer is a little different in that you must use the Desktop Printer Utility instead of the Chooser, but it works great. We have had no problems with it and it is our current recommended printer setup for the Macs. The USB card is the same one you would use in other HP printers, such as the 4M, so I believe the results would be just as promising.
Jeff Knackstedt "

" i was reading the page today and ran across [this issue]. there are 2 great solutions to the local talk to ethernet problem one is made by asante and the other as mentioned is made by farallon. as a consultant for mostly mac graphics/printing companies i have installed and used both these products and know them to work very well. the usb-parallel cables and such have problems, often laying down a screen where none exists. be careful to get the right model as there are 2 different ones made for reach brand. there is also a belkin product for the same purpose but i have never tried it. the asante retails at fry's in LA for $99 and the farallon retails at unitek in LA for about 149$. hope that helps
caz thrush "

Related Links:

• My Frequently Asked Questions - over 500 answers on topics from CPU upgrades to CD/CDR/DVD to USB.

• Apple G4 and Hardware Upgrade Discussion Forum

• Complete List of site Topic Areas (Systems, Video Cards, CPU upgrades, SCSI/IDE/Hard Drives and more).