PC Magazine: It's Time to Get a Mac 1604

If the printer is part of a domain you're already connected to it's not so bad; just type the name. If you're setting up an IP printer manually, though, well....

Here's the first walkthrough that comes up:

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I'm particularly a fan of step three (where, in order to set up an IP network printer, you tell Windows you're configuring a local printer attached to the computer).

Step 14 is also rather entertaining. That's the step where you have to select your printer model from a very long list of models, in a tiny little pane that can't be resized.

I also rather like that one has to take a break from the printer set-up wizard to use the port setup wizard, and when one is done, there are two things the user has to worry about in Windows if anything goes wrong: the printer configuration and a network port configuration.

For the same of comparison, here's how to set up an IP printer in OS X:

2) Click the plus button under the printer list

3) Click 'IP Printer'

4) Choose a protocol (LPD, IPP, HP Jet Direct)

5) Type in a queue name, IP address, and the name and location you want displayed for the printer

6) As soon as you type in the IP, OS X will query the printer to find out what model it is, and automatically make the right driver selection.

7) Click 'Add'.

That's it. Seven steps rather than 23, and they actually make sense, even.

-- "Those who enter the country illegally violate the law." -- George W. Bush in Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 28, 2005