Thanks for this great site! Even as a more experienced user I keep learning something every day.

I was wondering about hardware with the apple-logo. (as far as I can see there are two, one for the powerpc and one universal). What does it mean? That no additional software is required? Or that 3rd party software is needed but it has been thoroughly tested and actually works? Or is it just that if you plug a mouse in the computer it recognizes it as a mouse, but not all the other extra functions?

And, but maybe they don’t count as a real peripheral, how about wireless networks? At home, all the windows-computers of my roommates are working fine, but the two Apples in the flat both have problems.

Keep up the good work!

Robbert

Love to hear more about web cams and Mac OS X. In particular, installing and using with Skype.

Thanks

@Robert, PowerPC is a type of chip (CPU) in your computer, some Macs run PowerPC and newer machines all run Intel chips. The architecture behind each chip is quite literally 180 degrees different from each other.

Some applications, before there was an Intel platform, were made to work on PowerPC machines. Now that there are two architectures, there are what are called Universal Applications.

Universal applications contain code in them to make them work in both Intel and PowerPC machines. PowerPC apps can generally run on Intel machines, although they run in “emulation”, which is somewhat slower.

@Jeff, In general, webcams on OS X are best served with a Apple machine that has a camera built in. If you do not have one of those, you can find the iSight camera on eBay. These will work well, and work all the time.

3rd party cameras will be difficult to get to work, as there are less resources for solid drivers to make the webcam work. We will try to cover this issue in some detail in a later post.

I have a mac mini (intel) and none of my periphs are apple. And I’ve not had a bit of trouble with the keyboard (MS), printer (HP), mouse (Logitech) or monitor (Samsung)…

@JimB, I am glad you have not had any troubles, trouble free computers are how they should be.

Keyboards are pretty sane these days, then again, a lot do come with software, which just makes me wonder. Monitors, again, pretty safe as well.

That mouse you are running is a great example of what I was talking about. I did not want to name names in the article, but now that it has been brought up, I might as well.

There is a third party app called APE, when used correct, it can be useful, it can also cause nightmares for developers to trace bugs in software. APE is NOT made by Logitech, but they piggybacked on it to make their mouse software work.

Not only did they violate the TOS of APE by shipping their software with someone else’s software built into Logitech Control Center, they also caused the 10.5 Leopard release to have problems.

This is one of the better articles on the issue, and a perfect example of why I feel it is best to try your peripherals naked, see if Apple has included clean software that just works, and if not, then go for the manufacturer install disc.

I have a Cannon MP460 multifunction printer connected to a MBP. It goes like a dream. I have to agree, though, don’t use all the rubbish software they give you. The Mac equivalent will get you by just fine, if not better.

Just a quick one. I’m looking at buying point and click camera. I’m down to two brands, Canon and Olympus. From a plugging into Mac POV is either one better?

@Mike P, thanks, great to know the Canon MFP is working. Now I know if I need one, I can just get that

I am a hobby photographer for the past 15 years or so, maybe a little longer, and while a Nikon guy for pro gear, I love the Canon stuff on the point and shoot end. The finally have strong battery life and good displays.

While I can not comment on the Olympus from experience, I can say the Canon series are strong cameras.

@Scott,
I didn’t use any of the software that came with my peripherals~just plug n play…

“Plug it in, start typing, you should be just fine.”

ROFL! So true. I have to use a pc at work and I HATE IT! But, at least I know how to use it. ;D

Anyway, I have sent your site to my sister (just bought an iMac last month - very first home computer, even though she works on pcs at work - I was shocked she listened to me to buy a mac *G*), a somewhat beginner who has had an iMac for 3.5 years and was a technotard at the beginning but has LOVED her mac since day 1 - her old pc drove her nuts!), a computer wiz friend who had never used a mac but finally bought one and LOVES it for movies (her little girls are making movies and burning their own movie DVDs) and can still run her Windows programs, so she is really happy, and another sister who’s a technotard but has an eMac. And I’ll keep sending your site along - it’s great for beginners and intermediates and oldsters who can still learn stuff. I find new stuff because I just don’t have TIME to PLAY with my computer and learn new stuff. So this is fabulous!

Thank you!

Judie

I plugged in my Canon PIXMA MP780 and it worked great for printing but the scanner wouldn’t work. So I downloaded the MP Navigator software for it from the Canon website. It scans perfectly now. Prints and copies good. I never got the fax to work under Windows and haven’t tried it with my iMac yet. Whenever I get some free time I’ll see if I can get that to work.

@Donna, thanks for the follow up. It is great to know that Canon is working to make useful software drivers for their all in one hardware. As a tech, I find that more often than not, Mac’s that are working poorly, have had too much junk installed. I usually can track this down to printers, scanners, and the like.

I am seeing this change, I assume as CUPS, the underlying printing and faxing engine in OS X is something that is simple for developers to hook into.

I do want to clarify, not all printers, scanners, etc are bad, just proceed with caution. OS X comes with a good amount of drivers, and most of the time, a basic printer will work just fine out of the box. This is not to say you are going to break anything by installing 3rd party software, but it is always safest to make sure you use current software, and proceed with caution.

Great advice but I have an old Acer Prsima usb scanner. When I plug it in, my MBP does not see it. Any ideas?
Running latest Leopard

@Mike, I cannot find more than 3 links to anything about an Acer Prisma scanner in google. I would look to find the manufacturer website, and see if they still support it. If not, for around $100.00 these days, you can get quite a capable scanner, if you want a specific recommendation,just let me know.

It is a great scanner and after the rebates it was only $25.00 I do like it and would prefer not to but a new scanner. Acer does not even list scanners on their web site so I am kind of lost.

@Mike, if the scanner is TWAIN compliant, and you have photoshop, you may be able to use that as your interface. As it stands now, if Acer is not even listing the product, I would be very hesitant to install any software that would claim to work for it. If someone can specifically tell you it works, I would give it a try, aside from that, with rebates and the like, you can get a comparable one for about the same price and know it will not cause you computing issues.

I want to buy a 61-key electronic keyboard (music keyboard) with full-sized, semi-weighted keys. I want to be able to play it by itself, but I also want to connect it to my intel iMac running Leopard so I can use Garage Band.

I have researched several brands, but cannot find much on mac-compatibility. Any information and/or advice would be appreciated.

Deborah

@Deborah, Any USB keyboard should plug right into your Mac, and GarageBand should be able to see it, and use it. I have never personally tested this, but have several friends who are musicians, and have watched them do so.

No software was needed, they just plugged it in, and fiddled some of the GarageBand preferences and were set. Keyboards are going to use midi to talk to GarageBand, which is a very old and safe instruction set.

As you get more advanced, you may want to look into specialty midi boxes that will give you flexibility with more instruments. A keyboard is perhaps one of the simplest musical devices to hook to a mac.

Every Apple store I have been in has a demo set up with just this going on. The trouble is the keyboards are probably not what you want, certainly not with weighted keys.

As a side note, we have a set of tutorials on GarageBand in the works. My friend is a recording artist and has been using it for simple projects and just to have fun. These will not post until sometime much later down the road, but they are indeed in the works.

@Scott, Thanks for the info. I look forward to the GarageBand tutorials whenever they post.

P.S. This is a great website. You are doing a super job with it.

I’m loving your column, and staying up way too late each night catching up. Thanks for the link to the article about BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH…I know it well. I was one of the early upgraders who didn’t plan ahead by backing up my iMac before loading Leopard, and I lost everything. Shame on me…but now I know better. A quick note on compatible printers: I needed a replacement All-In-One, and went through three before finding one where all four features work on with Mac. I started out with a Canon MF4150 (I’d had two Canons before with my PCs and they worked long and hard) but scan wouldn’t work with Mac (I’d missed this little caveat on the box). Returned it to Staples and got a Samsung SCX4725FN monochrome laser all-in-one, and THAT wouldn’t scan. After endless Amazon research, it was back to Staples again (God love ‘em!) I bought a Brother MFC7420 and that was the magic ticket. Seems Brother takes great pride in their Mac compatibility. I LOVE this printer, and if you need a multi-function, put this one on your list to check out.

@Matt, Yeah the brother stuff is really Mac friendly. I have a great black and white laster, Brother HL-2070N and I did not even have to install a since driver to get it to work, just plugged it in. For 130.00 or so, it is a deal that can not be beat. If others are interested in the multi function you mentioned, here is a link as well: Brother MFC-7420 Flatbed Laser Multi-Function Center

I have a Canon multifunction MP160. Great printer, but the scanner software that came with it is a bullshit, the slowest think I ever runned on my PPC MacMini, on 10.3.9.

Great site!

I have just purchased my first iMac and find this site extremely helpful. Keep up the good work.
I installed my graphics tablet, which worked fine on XP, and it would be OK until I switched off the computer. After reading your article I went to the manufacturer’s website and downloaded drivers from there. All working as it should do now. Thanks for the advice in this article.