What is the advantages for using USB instead of Parallel Port?

[robinhung]

I've got a new laser printer Samsung ML-4600. It can use USB or Parallel Port. I just wonder what is the advantages for using USB instead of Parallel Port?

 

[potz]

usb is faster, and it can automatically detect. otherwise no real advantages.

 

[Oli]

USB S*cks, every month I lost my HID and after 10 reboot Windows find it.
Where's my HID ?

 

[layne151]

honetly i have to say i Love USB, i have my Iomega CDRW on it and it works like a charm. I opted for the usb burner so i could transfer the cdrw between my 2 computers without having to always shut them down and reinstall the drive.

 

[madthumbs]

No IRQ's, and it's a hell of a lot faster than parallel.

 

[aUt0eXebat]

much much faster, up to 12Mbits a sec, and parallel port is... what 8bits a sec? maybe a little more...

 

[pen^2]

wait i thought i read somewhere parallel is FASTER if ran in EPP mode (for printers) but i guess i might be wrong.... i really hate the fact my i-feel mouse is USB only USB is SUCK!

 

[madthumbs]

The only thing that is suck about USB is safe mode. USB mice is rulez 'cept for that.

 

[tippmann]

USB is hot swoppable....

 

[pen^2]

USB sux for me
1) higher cpu utilization and stutter; it may not be the case with you, but most ppl seem to have this problem with USB mice
2) no dos support; cant play x-com, my favorite classic cuz of a stupidity called U.S.B.

what does USB exactly RULE for mice?


hot swappable? is it really necessary for a mouse?

 

[potz]

i think it's best if you keep your kb/mouse on ps2, it doesn't pause when cpu utilization is high.

 

[pen^2]

this is absolutely driving me nuts, my computer started crashing after few minutes of UT and sacrifice ever since i got my USB mouse. funny it runs HL and quake3, 3dmark2k for hours just fine, and my cpu temeperature after crashes is well under 110F.

 

[madthumbs]

USB mice rule in games because when your using "mouse look" panning or looking is smoother. It's especially noticeable if you're turning to look around a corner while going around it. Some people will think that it is the frame rate crapping out and try to increase cpu/ video card performance, but that may only make it worse! PS2 ports are overclockable, but I don't think that USB mice through a PS2 adaptor will accept an overclocked rate. I know the intellimouse explorer's won't.

 

[MiniMe69]

in theory parallel port is faster in EPP at least that is what I thought too. but when dealing with printers...i think the printer is limited to its print speed. It doesn't matter which port u use. You can use firewire but a printer is still gonna do 8 PPM if that is what it is spec'd for.

 

[pen^2]

to each his own, my logitech first mouse was just as smooth if not better than the optical one i am using. as you know both MS and logitech use the same 'intestince' so i am assuming yours isnt much better either. i wish USB mice never came out, its just loads more trouble for the same or worse effect.

 

[Hossenfeffer]

As far as mice go, I don't see why you'd really want to use a USB connection.

As far as printers go, the usb connection would let you unplug it from one machine and into another without shutting down. Could throw it onto an iMac or something if you wanted and then back to your PC (so it no longer felt "dirty&quot

 

[rich1er]

USB rules, I use a usb microsoft optical mouse for Half-life gaming. It seems to be more affective than when i had it on ps/2. Also, USB recognizes all the small movements i do with my mouse which is what you need in a fast action game.

 

[pen^2]

rich1er, do u know what ps2rate is?

 

[MiniMe69]

the guy is talking about parallel ports and printers...how did it end up talking about mice? USB mouses uses more CPU cycles then PS-2. even though USB is higher DPI, with ps2rate, you can increase the ps-2 to up to around 200DPI instead of the 120DPI that the USB is capable of. Anyways, there is no real advantage to USB printers unless ur moving it around to other computers. then again u can do that with parallel port also, without rebooting.