How to Choose a Printer That Works With Linux

Let's say you're looking at printers and you want to use Linux An alternative to Windows or MacOS on computers. but you're not sure what's all going to work together.

I can't guarantee that what you buy will work, but you'll have good chances if you check the following things that I recommend in this post.

Printer company website

Now, let's say you have a printer in mind. What I would do is go to the company's website, paste the model name of the printer in the search bar, and look for "Support" and " Drivers a software that allows the hardware (like WiFi) communicate with a system " to see if they have Linux An alternative to Windows or MacOS on computers. drivers a software that allows the hardware (like WiFi) communicate with a system . You may have to select your operating system The core software that manages a computer and lets applications run. This would be Windows or MacOS on computers, Android or iOS for phones, for example. ( Linux An alternative to Windows or MacOS on computers. , Windows, Mac).

If they show they have Linux An alternative to Windows or MacOS on computers. drivers a software that allows the hardware (like WiFi) communicate with a system , that's a good sign, but let's check a couple more things to be extra safe since we're spending some money here.

System type

It may ask you to select based on your computer processor, where you might see things like

• ARM
• MIPS
• 64 bit <- likely what you want
• 32 bit

Most computers made in the last decade are 64 bit and not 32. 64 bit would likely be your choice if you're faced with a list like this, and are an everyday, non-technical person. I have an Intel Core i7 chip, and this is 64 bit. If you see AMD Ryzen, you probably would pick 64 bit. My understanding is older Macs had Intel chips also.

ARM is a type of processor that you might pick if you have something like a Raspberry Pi or similar "mini computer" type of electronics board.

I had to look up MIPS. You likely will ignore this if you don't know what it is. But if you've got a powerful AI laptop or workstation, it could be MIPS!

If you're interested in knowing more about that:

Traditionally, it sounds like MIPS is used in the "internet of things" types of devices, according to Lenovo's website, "It's often used in embedded systems like home routers, video game consoles, and digital TVs due to its efficiency and low power consumption. It's also used in some supercomputers because of its high performance." I would imagine the "things" connecting to a printer might need to print logs or test messages, but that's just a random guess.

Linux An alternative to Windows or MacOS on computers. distro Bundles the Linux kernel with other software components for a complete operating system type

Often, if you have a Windows or Mac, you pick your operating system The core software that manages a computer and lets applications run. This would be Windows or MacOS on computers, Android or iOS for phones, for example. version, like Windows 11 or MacOS Tahoe or something.

For Linux An alternative to Windows or MacOS on computers. , because there are so many distros Bundles the Linux kernel with other software components for a complete operating system , it can feel tricky. But it's not! It might show you things like .deb or .rpm. To pick the right one, you want to know what type of system yours is.

The way you find out what version your computer is is by opening your "Settings" app, looking for "About" or "System Details," and checking the "Architecture" or "System Type" section.

Alternatively, you can open the Terminal a text-based tool where you navigate your system and run commands by typing instead of clicking in a user interface and type uname -m to see if it says x86_64 for 64-bit or aarch64 for ARM.

If you're on Zorin, Ubuntu, Linux An alternative to Windows or MacOS on computers. Mint, or Pop!_OS, those are Debian-based. Debian is another Linux An alternative to Windows or MacOS on computers. distro Bundles the Linux kernel with other software components for a complete operating system . You'll see .deb files for it.

If you're on Fedora, openSUSE, or Red Hat, those are RPM-based distributions. You'll see .rpm files for them.

(Note: If you are on Arch Linux An alternative to Windows or MacOS on computers. or Manjaro, they often use their own package managers or the AUR, so you might not see a direct download file on the manufacturer's site, but rather instructions to install a package via the terminal a text-based tool where you navigate your system and run commands by typing instead of clicking in a user interface .)

Closing and quick tip for non-technical users

If you can't find a specific driver a software that allows the hardware (like WiFi) communicate with a system file, don't panic! Many modern printers work automatically with Linux An alternative to Windows or MacOS on computers. thanks to a project called OpenPrinting. If you plug the printer in and it doesn't show up, try searching for your printer model name + " Linux An alternative to Windows or MacOS on computers. " in Google; often, the community has already figured out how to make it work without needing the official manufacturer driver a software that allows the hardware (like WiFi) communicate with a system .

Image credit George Milton: https://www.pexels.com/@george-milton/