Bought a cheap printer because I still like to print documents for reading and correction. For some reason holding it physically makes it easier. Anyway it didn’t come with a USB cord to connect to the PC. I wouldn’t care if it was a USB to USB cord but I’m not even sure where to get one of these.
Look for USB type B cables. You can find them everywhere
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Thank you, hopefully the local store has one. Don’t want to wait for an online order.
i dont know why they dont just include the damn thing.
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When I lived in Guam I bought a printer not one store on the damn island sold a type B connector. Had to wait two weeks before I could use the damn thing.
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Type A vs Type B
My understanding is that Type B is for the device while Type A is for the host.
I have seen printers where you are able to print directly from a flash drive or camera, so the Type A or B difference makes it clear which USB port is for devices and which is for connecting to the computer (host).
Of course Type C throws a wrench in this and now you can’t tell from the connector if it is supposed to be a host or device.
That’s impressively cheap, that it didn’t even come with a cable! Does it connect over wifi or something? That would actually be even better, lets you be flexible with placement.
Yup you need a usb type B to A cable (both male ends of course).
You can get USB B to A on monoprice for cheap:
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And unlike popular cables, such as USB typ micro B, they are cheap too. The markup on mobile peripherals is just… pfeh.
Yep! More specifically, Type A is for downstream communication, while Type B is for upstream communication. Thus, two “peers” could have A-A, rather than B-B. It’s not in any way enforced, though. Just, as you said, it’s there to provide distinction and help the user connecting the device.
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