How to print from Ipad without computer

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dukester

475 posts

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#133810 3-Nov-2013 17:38

Is it possible to print from an Ipad without having a computer? Will a usb printer plugged into a airport express work?

ObidiahSlope

260 posts

Ultimate Geek

#926645 3-Nov-2013 18:07

Can't help directly.

Feature request to Apple; Include CUPS(Common Unix Printing System) with iOS. Apple actually own this technology so there is no financial reason for them not to include it. CUPS is designed to use the Postscript printer control language which is not universally available. I suspect it is not included to avoid Apple being overloaded with "my printer wont work" support calls.

Top tip: if you are a serious Apple OSX or Linux user, when buying a printer spend a little extra and by a Postscript enabled printer. Apple OSX, Linux and postscript just work.

www.cups.org

Obsequious hypocrite

JarrodM

969 posts

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#926648 3-Nov-2013 18:12

yes it's called AirPrint

tchart

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#926658 3-Nov-2013 18:39

Yes, as above, look for a printer that supports AirPrint. We got a $100 Brother printer that has wireless and does AirPrint. Hardly turn the PC on nowadays.

scuwp

3885 posts

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#926670 3-Nov-2013 19:02

Our Brother wifi printer has its own iOS app. Works a treat.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Elpie

1304 posts

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#926687 3-Nov-2013 19:47

Our Canon wifi printer works perfectly for printing from iPads and phones. Anything with AirPrint or Google Cloud print will work for you.

gehenna

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#926689 3-Nov-2013 19:56

Most new WiFi enabled printers support AirPrint.

If you DID have a computer, and a printer that doesn't support AirPrint, you can get third party apps to enable AirPrint on your network. I use an app called Presto on my Windows PC to enable this to my Brother HL2140 laser printer. All our iDevices can print to it wirelessly now.

On Mac there's apps such as Printopia that perform the same function.

Of course the easiest option is to just buy an AirPrint enabled printer as mentioned above.