# How will I print from an iPad? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 25, 2010, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383 "2010-02-25T13:33:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/1 "2010-02-25T13:33:10Z")
They have a productivity suite on board. How do I get those pretty pages out into meatspace? Will I need a computer with installed software to do that? I realize it is not out yet, but has the matter been mentioned anywhere? ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/2 "2010-02-25T13:39:32Z")
Hmmm…it has built in WiFi, so perhaps printing over a network? It’s either that, or email it to yourself and print from a real PC, since it has no USB port, only a headphone jack and the power/data plug which is proprietary, IIRC. Maybe they plan on making the iPrint, a little portable printer that will plug into the data/power port, or uses Bluetooth…didn’t they say they plan on releasing a Bluetooth keyboard for it? ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/3 "2010-02-25T13:48:33Z")
IIRC the whole point of the closed system was to simplify the software. A major cause of problems with Windows, Vista especially, was poorly written drivers by third-party vendors. I read somewhere this is why Apple did not put USB ports on the iPad - so they would not have to support (or let others write drivers) for 10,000 types of printer, webcam, external drives, digital cameras, etc… I suspect you’re right - you’ll have to download it to a real computer to print. ---
**Author:** ![Gus\_Gusterson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@Gus\_Gusterson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gus_Gusterson)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/4 "2010-02-25T14:17:53Z")
There are apps for printing. See Print n Share and Print Magic. Print n Share requires you to install some software on the computer that the printer is connected to, but I believe that Print Magic can print directly to a WiFi-enabled printer. ---
**Author:** ![anson2995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@anson2995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anson2995)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/5 "2010-02-25T14:21:36Z")
It’s another step towards a paperless world. I’d guess that 99% of stuff we print out doesn’t need to be. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/6 "2010-02-25T15:58:07Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > the power/data plug which is proprietary Ever seen the other end of an ipod power/data plug? It’s USB. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/7 "2010-02-25T17:12:53Z")
> [@anson2995](#): > > It’s another step towards a paperless world. I’d guess that 99% of stuff we print out doesn’t need to be. Excellent point. They should probably phase out the wi-fi for the next incarnation. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/8 "2010-02-25T17:35:14Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Ever seen the other end of an ipod power/data plug? It’s USB. BUT the ipod end is proprietary and there is a lot of functionality that does not go over USB. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/9 "2010-02-25T17:37:34Z")
> [@gazpacho](#): > > BUT the ipod end is proprietary and there is a lot of functionality that does not go over USB. The iPod / iPhone / iPad are USB _peripherals_ - they plug into a USB _host_, like a computer. None of the above devices are USB hosts - they can’t accept USB peripherals. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/10 "2010-02-25T17:46:01Z")
If I got an iPad, the main reason would be to remotely control my computer. (LogMeIn, Parallels Desktop and Mobile Me are just three apps available for doing this with both PC and Mac computers). Therefore, I’d be able to work on real desktop apps and print as if I was sitting at the computer. (Frankly, I’m a little miffed that Apple didn’t play up remote access. $500 to play games and read books? WTF! But $500 to have my my entire office network in my pocket - anytime, anywhere? Sign me up.) Bouv, the iPad should work with any Bluetooth keyboard, from what I’ve read, but Apple designed one specifically for iPad that includes a dock to hold the iPad at a good angle for doing your typing. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/11 "2010-02-25T17:56:43Z")
> [@gazpacho](#): > > BUT the ipod end is proprietary and there is a lot of functionality that does not go over USB. Do you really think that “sending a document to the printer” is one of those bits of functionality that Apple is holding close to its bosom and caressing to protect it from the unwashed masses? ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/12 "2010-02-25T18:01:18Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > If I got an iPad, the main reason would be to remotely control my computer. (LogMeIn, Parallels Desktop and Mobile Me are just three apps available for doing this with both PC and Mac computers). Therefore, I’d be able to work on real desktop apps and print as if I was sitting at the computer. > > (Frankly, I’m a little miffed that Apple didn’t play up remote access. $500 to play games and read books? WTF! But $500 to have my my entire office network in my pocket - anytime, anywhere? Sign me up.) > > Bouv, the iPad should work with any Bluetooth keyboard, from what I’ve read, but Apple designed one specifically for iPad that includes a dock to hold the iPad at a good angle for doing your typing. Yes, the remote control aspect is neat. Get one of those rubber rollup keyboards, and a little stand, and you’re set anywhere. The problem is the USB master needs the correct driver for every device that plugs in. Cheap peripheral vendors taking shortcuts writing bad drivers are a major source of problems for Windows. Jobs has decided to avoid that problem with the iPad. The other end of the cable to an iPod is a master; the iPod/iPhone/iPad is a peripheral. Whatever you plug it into needs the driver, not the device itself. Makes sense to allow printing provided the device at the otehr end either runs a standard driver sw or accepts a standard format. Nothing wrong with demanding standards that work. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/13 "2010-02-26T14:28:31Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > Bouv, the iPad should work with any Bluetooth keyboard, from what I’ve read, but Apple designed one specifically for iPad that includes a dock to hold the iPad at a good angle for doing your typing. So basically a MacBook that you can’t fold shut. I’ll be rushing out to buy that. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/14 "2010-02-26T14:33:46Z")
> [@kferr](#): > > So basically a MacBook that you can’t fold shut. I’ll be rushing out to buy that. No, it’s worse than that. A Macbook has a real operating system that can run full applications. This is just an iPhone that you can’t call from (or an oversized iPod touch if you will). ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/15 "2010-02-26T14:46:19Z")
You can just pull up your document, then lay the iPad down on your copier and press “start”. Faster than regular printing! ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/16 "2010-02-26T14:51:21Z")
> [@BrandonR](#): > > No, it’s worse than that. A Macbook has a real operating system that can run full applications. This is just an iPhone that you can’t call from (or an oversized iPod touch if you will). :rolleyes: In a thread talking about an entire suite of productivity software for the iPad that is specifically not available for the iPhone or Touch, your comment seems slightly misplaced, if not greatly misinformed. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/17 "2010-02-26T14:54:29Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > :rolleyes: > > In a thread talking about an entire suite of productivity software for the iPad that is specifically not available for the iPhone or Touch, your comment seems slightly misplaced, if not greatly misinformed. Misplaced? Someone compared the iPad to the Macbook, which I said isn’t a good comparison and made a better one. Just because I’m not gushing over the iPad doesn’t mean my comment is misplaced. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/18 "2010-02-26T15:10:37Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > You can just pull up your document, then lay the iPad down on your copier and press “start”. Faster than regular printing! Now you are thinking! ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/19 "2010-02-26T15:12:02Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > You can just pull up your document, then lay the iPad down on your copier and press “start”. Faster than regular printing! I wonder if that would actually work… I guess I could try with my iphone… ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383/20 "2010-02-26T15:25:41Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > Hmmm…it has built in WiFi, so perhaps printing over a network? Yup. [Bonjour](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonjour_%28software%29) is the way to print: > [@](#): > > Bonjour, formerly Rendezvous, is Apple Inc.'s trade name for its implementation of Zeroconf, a service discovery protocol. Bonjour locates devices such as printers, other computers, and the services that those devices offer on a local network using multicast Domain Name System service records. > > The software is built into Apple’s Mac OS X operating system from version 10.2 onward and can be installed onto computers using Microsoft Windows operating systems. Bonjour components may also be included within other software such as iTunes. > … > Bonjour is a general method to discover services on a local area network. It is widely used throughout Mac OS X and allows users to set up a network without any configuration. Currently it is used by Mac OS X and on other operating systems to find printers and file-sharing servers. It is also used by iTunes to find shared music, iPhoto to find shared photos, iChat, Adobe Systems Creative Suite 3, Proteus, Adium, Fire, Pidgin, Skype, Vine Server, Elgato EyeTV to share local recordings with multiple clients, the Gizmo5 to find other users on the local network, TiVo Desktop to find digital video recorders and shared media libraries, SubEthaEdit and e to find document collaborators, Contactizer to find and share contacts, tasks, and events information, and OmniFocus to synchronize projects and tasks across the Mac desktop and the iPhone or iPod touch. It is used by Safari to find local web servers and configuration pages for local devices, and by Asterisk to advertise telephone services along with configuration parameters to VoIP phones and dialers. Software such as Bonjour Browser or iStumbler, both for Mac OS X, or Zeroconf Neighborhood Explorer for Windows, can be used to view all services declared by these applications. Apple’s “Remote” application for iPhone and iPod Touch also uses Bonjour to establish connection to iTunes libraries via Wi-Fi.[2] [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-i-print-from-an-ipad/530383.md?page=2)