Update Your Drivers with the New Mac OS, Mavericks

HP Drivers WebsiteOne of our longtime team members at LexJet, Michael Clementi, recently brought up the fact that Apple released the latest Mac operating system (OS) on Oct. 22 called Mavericks (or, OS X 10.9, if you prefer). It’s a free download from Apple if you’d like to update your OS.

However, before you update, be aware that – as with any other OS update – compatibility may be an issue with software drivers loaded on your current OS, which includes your wide-format printers. In fact, if you’re buying a new computer, whether Mac or PC, with a different OS you should check the compatibility on any software or printers you transfer to that OS before you update.

Check with your printer manufacturer to download drivers for your OS. Following are links to the pertinent driver pages for Canon, Epson and HP …

Canon Support & Drivers Page

Epson OS X Mavericks Support

Drivers and Downloads at HP

If You Print, Expect Glitches with the Latest Mac OS, OS X Lion

Updating to Mac OS X Lion 10.7Apple is weeks, if not days away, from releasing its latest operating system, Mac OS X Lion 10.7, which will be available only through Apple’s App Store for about 30 bucks. As with all changes to any OS, whether Apple, Microsoft or any other platform, there has been much speculation about the impact on software that runs on the new OS, especially RIP programs, and the market in general.

Whatever the general impact may be, the best advice for anyone who’s ready to upgrade is… Wait. If anything has been learned from past OS updates, it’s this simple axiom.

For anyone who runs a wide format inkjet printer this is especially important since waiting allows printer and software manufacturers to fix any problems associated with the switch. Rest assured, engineers and developers are busily working out the kinks right now. However, they cannot possibly fix everything that users will run into as Lion rolls out.

So wait, and consult with your vendors before, during, and after any installation of a new OS. No one likes surprises when they have a color-critical job that prints off-target due to an unseen glitch in the operating system. Call a LexJet account specialist at 800-453-9538 if you have any questions about the compatibility of your print-oriented software with Mac OS X Lion.