Home network printers

[rocky]

Next stop on the computer bandwagon is a new printer accessible to all 4 pcs (mix xp/vista).

We're already set up with a wireless router (linksys 54G). This router can also take hardwired computers and I suppose printers too.

Just planning on a BW laser that will be positioned by the router. So here is the question.

Do I go with Wireless laser or a laser with a network connection that will be hardwired into the router?

[acornct_dad]

I would go with the wired network printer. I have mine wired into my router and I can print on it from all of my PCs, including my laptop which I use a wireless connection on.



acornct_dad

[NCPilotMom]

Originally posted by acornct_dad
I would go with the wired network printer. I have mine wired into my router and I can print on it from all of my PCs, including my laptop which I use a wireless connection on.



acornct_dad

Ditto that!
We have 3 wireless laptops that share the wired network printer with the desktop.

[midwest1982]

I use a hard wired one. It is a usb print server and the brand/model is D-Link DP-301u. I have it working with Windows XP(laptop and a desktop), Vista(laptop), and Ubuntu 7.10(Desktop). It works great and was really to set up.

[macphanatic]

Wired network printer is the way to go. I've got the Brother 5250DN. Works like a champ, plus it has built-in duplexing capability.

[sfhondapilot]

I have a wired printer connected to a Netgear USB print server. It works great. Even if the printer is off, when you send a print job, the printer turns on (HP 950C) and starts printing.

[rocky]

Just ordered an HP 6940 a color printer which I'll hardwire into the router should be here Monday.

Like every printer out there its got its good reviews and bad ones. We'll see how it does. At least I should have it running before Verizon arrives and kicks out comcast

[krygny]

I've always had good experience (and heard good things) about HP printers except for one thing: the infuriatingly ludicrous amount of software and utilities you have to install on each computer in order to print to it. When all you may need or want is a print driver, they make you install almost a GB of crapware on every computer. Hopefully, they've abandoned that practice.

[macphanatic]

I bought a Brother HL-5250DN for $200 A/R. Built-in duplex and network connection. It's been rock solid. Much better than the 2 HP's that it replaced. Don't think that I will ever go back to HP.

[CMasten]

I have a netgear wireless printer server, some HP and Samsung lasers hanging off ot it, and it was ok... but I just bought a new Brother HL-2170W and am floored! 99.00 to my door from Amazon, super fast, quiet and has wireless built in! I can put it anywhere I choose and all computers (6 in total) can print to it just fine, best small workgroup printer I have ever owned.

http://www.brother-usa.com/Printer/M...ductID=hl2170W

[rocky]

Wouldn't do color but for the kids projects.
We may still add the brother for B&W work-we'll see how we feel in a few weeks.

[rocky]

The HP6940 arrived this morning via UPS.
Quickly removed from its box, connected to the router, power add ink and paper. inserted the cdroms into the pcs loaded up some stuff and and presto printing via the network in under 20 minutes.

For my next trick switching from Comcast to Verizon Fios.......

[NJGuy]

Is anyone here super knowledgeable about printers, PC's, and networked printers?

I installed an older HP JetDirect 300X external print server (manufactured in '99) on my old HP Deskjet 812C printer (about the same age) in my home office. It's hardwired to a Linksys router. I've been having printing problems the past few days and just want to confirm that the problem is with the printer itself, and not my setup.

I installed this setup about 2 years ago and was pleasantly surprised when it actually worked. It worked flawlessly until recently. I am able to print a configuration page from the print server (paralell port connection), but I can't print anything from my PC or laptop, either networked or through direct USB connection. So is my printer pretty much toast? I know a couple days back there was a brief power loss in my house (10 seconds), so i'm thinking that might have had some kind of effect.

Well, if anyone can help out or answer my question I'd greatly appreciate it.