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    Network ready printer...print server...wha???

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by SoFloAcer, Sep 16, 2005.

  1. SoFloAcer

    SoFloAcer Notebook Geek

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    Okay, here is the situation. I have two computers at home, a Mac desktop and an Acer laptop. I have a cable modem that routes into a Linksys wireless router. The Mac is hooked up by cable and the laptop is getting on the network wirelessly.

    I have a trusty Brother MFC 4550 that still works fine, but when I bought my laptop I got rid of the desktop PC which had previously shared this printer. I want to be able to print from either the laptop or Mac without having the printer hooked up to a machine (and thus the machine needing to be turned on to print).

    I've been looking at some laser printers that are "network ready." I've also been looking at both wired and wireless print servers. It is my understanding that if I get a printer that accepts an RJ45 connection, I don't need a print server. Is this correct? Would it be better to buy a $150 laserjet printer and a $50 print server, or a $200 "network ready" printer? Are there any performance issues with either setup, or will they both work fine?

    Sorry for the barrage of questions, but I can't seem to figure it out on my own.

    Thanks for the help,

    Andrew
     
    SoFloAcer, Sep 16, 2005
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  2. dr_st

    dr_st Notebook Deity

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    They should work fine, but no one gives you 100% guarantee. Some print server manufacturers have list of printers that are "supported". Well, guess what, I have an Edimax print server and my two printers are connected to it. None are on the list of supported printers and both work flawlessly.

    I'd think that getting a print server (wired one, so you can connect it to one of the ports of the router, no need to go wireless) is the better decision, because it will be able (in theory) support all sorts of printers and you don't have to make sure that your future printer is "network-ready" too.
     
    dr_st, Sep 16, 2005
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  3. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Well lets say you go to the store and find a wireless printer you like, you should either check the box for the companys like Linksys or just simply ask a sales person. When you take the printer home, i probaly have the same router as yours and it should have a configuration button right on the router. You should be able to run the CD that comes with the printer and it should do the rest of the printer installation on the computer. It is a good idea probaly to run the CD first for the printer. Good Luck :) :)
     
    nickspohn, Sep 16, 2005
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