Apple updates drivers for Samsung, HP, FujiXerox printers
updated 09:10 pm EDT, Wed August 8, 2012
Update adds new models, revisions for 10.6 and higher
On Wednesday, Apple updated printer and scanner drivers for OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) and higher, including the new Mountain Lion release. Samsung drivers have been updated to version 2.5, while HP devices have been updated to v2.9. Also updated were various FujiXerox drivers, to version 2.2.1. Users of older Mac systems will find the relevant updates for their systems through Software Update. Mountain Lion users will see the drivers through the Mac App Store for the first time.
The Samsung update is unusual in that it appears to have modified exactly one model of printer: the Samsung ML-2580, which is a standalone printer model. As a result, it is the smallest update of the group of updates, being only 15.3MB in size. By contrast, the Fuji-Xerox update package is only 40.9MB and yet contains updates for every single currently-supported model plus well over a dozen new model additions (over 430 models in total), suggesting that upgrading the compatibility of the drivers to handle 10.8 was a minor issue. The FujiXerox update adds some 43 new models to the built-in support.
The HP driver package is much larger at 473.3MB, though there are only a handful of updates and new models. HP tends to replace the entire package of drivers when updating, even if only a relatively small number of its supported printers are affaected. A total of nine new models were added.
An updated list of printers with drivers including in OS X 10.6 or higher is maintained here.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: 08-16-12
Owners of older HP laserprinters should avoid this updater for the time being. I updated last Monday (NZ time) and since then have been unable to print anything via the HP 2200. Whatever app is attempting to print quits unexpectedly with the advisory " ....while using the HPPrintSettings plugin." Even just selecting the HP printer in the print menu will take out the app.
Curiously my HP C310 AiO is unaffected.
I'm about to have a go at restoring my MBP the state it was in a day or so before the update with Time Machine. Unfortunately this has all happened half-way through installing a new hard drive in the MBP, so I won't be shattered if TM throws a snotty.
~ Ian O