# Computer....parallel to USB? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 24, 2003, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-parallel-to-usb/190745 "2003-07-24T22:54:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![flat\_pitch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/90ced4/32.png) [@flat\_pitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flat_pitch)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-parallel-to-usb/190745/1 "2003-07-24T22:54:39Z")
Hi all I have a Vynil graphics cutting machine that works through a prallel port like a printer. It is a great system and works fine, the only problem is I want to use it with my new laptop and throw away my old clunker machine. The laptop has only USB’s. Is there an adapter that will work or am I stuck using the old clunker just for the cutter. Thanks Flat… ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-parallel-to-usb/190745/2 "2003-07-24T23:03:38Z")
[Google](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22parallel+to+usb%22) is your friend. ---
**Author:** ![flat\_pitch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/90ced4/32.png) [@flat\_pitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flat_pitch)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-parallel-to-usb/190745/3 "2003-07-24T23:29:18Z")
Thanks Sailor I was told by a local computer store and a buddy (who I thought was pretty computer savy) that they didn’t exist. See, I knew I came to the right spot! Flat… ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-parallel-to-usb/190745/4 "2003-07-24T23:36:18Z")
It may be that the guy at the store thought you wanted to plug a USB printer into a computer that only had a parallel port (no USB) - devices to enable this are rare or non-existent ---
**Author:** ![robcaro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@robcaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robcaro)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-parallel-to-usb/190745/5 "2003-07-24T23:47:32Z")
I found one at: [http://www.cablesnmor.com/usb\_parallel.html](http://www.cablesnmor.com/usb_parallel.html) ---
**Author:** ![robcaro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@robcaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robcaro)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-parallel-to-usb/190745/6 "2003-07-24T23:49:20Z")
I should have added that I have and use the cable mentioned above. It works just fine on my Epson Stylus Photo printer. ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-parallel-to-usb/190745/7 "2003-07-25T03:24:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by flat pitch \* > I was told by a local computer store and a buddy (who I thought was pretty computer savy) that they didn’t exist. See, I knew I came to the right spot! It depends on whether you said what it was for - if I wanted what you’re asking for I’d ask for a “USB to parallel adapter” (which exist), not parallel to USB (which don’t). Although you’re welcome to write the whole issue off on account of relativity and semantics. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![flat\_pitch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/90ced4/32.png) [@flat\_pitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flat_pitch)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-parallel-to-usb/190745/8 "2003-07-25T03:30:04Z")
Thanks guys…I’ve got one on the way. Flat… ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-parallel-to-usb/190745/9 "2003-07-25T05:57:48Z")
The USB to parallel port cables are all about the drivers and some parallel devices work fine on them and some don’t, especially some older devices. If that cable does not work this is another more direct and more expensive option. [PCCard to True EPP Parallel Port for High Speed Bi-Directional Communication](http://www.quatech.com/public/googspp100.htm)