Universal printer driver?

[Ron350]

Does Canon have a universal printer driver like HP uses?

HP uses the DeskJet 550C driver as a universal driver so you only need that driver installed to check out a HP printer.

 

[ghwellsjr]

Is this just to see if the connection is good? Do they also have separate drivers that take advantage of the different printers features?

 

[panos]

Does Canon have a universal printer driver like HP uses?

To my knowledge no and I have been looking for this as well.

HP's universal driver is based on the fact that HP laser (and business inkjets) are using HP's PCL language and therefore it is easy to write a driver to talk to any PCL printer out there.

Smart move from HP back to the 80s.

 

[ghwellsjr]

So the same driver that works for a monochrome printer that prints only on single side letter size paper works for another printer that uses any number of color inks, double side, and 13"x19"?

If they all use PCL, then why is only DeskJet 550C the universal driver? Why can't you use the driver for any other HP printer of any other HP printer? In fact, why do they have separate drivers for each printer if one will suffice?

 

[panos]

It's not hard to write a driver to support each printer's specific features. The Ricoh copier/printer in my workplace can be accessorized with various features and the driver supports those optional components.

Not all HP printers use PCL.