Wireless printing at home

[JohnT]

It's time to go wireless with my printers. Any suggestions on equipment?

[Tom]

I'm interested in this, too. Specifically, we want a laser printer that is wireless. Bonus if it scans, too.

[revjvegas]

I have the brother hl-5370dw for my laser (b&W) printing needs. It can be shared out via LAN or Wireless.

Have had it about 8 months now and still very pleased with its performance.

[JohnT]

Neither of my printers are WiFi, but I'd still like to fix them up for wireless printing.

[revjvegas]

ahh, then what you're looking for is a print server with wi-fi ability.

Something along these lines: Amazon.com: NEW TP-Link TL-WPS510U Mini USB 2.0 802.11g 2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi Wireless Network LAN Print Server: Electronics

NOTE: I do not know if this particular model is any good as I've not used it, I'm only using it as an example. There are many manufactures, but I do tend to favor the Linksys brand.

[smdebnam]

I'm using the Brother HL-2170w. I found it at Buy.com in April for $99. Currently it's selling for $149 at Best Buy and $129 at Amazon. It received good reviews, was very easy to set up, and has been a good printer. It doesn't have the same feel (build wise) as the HP Laserjet series that I am used to using at work, but for the money I am satisfied.

[Rson]

FIL and I have the HP OJ6860, works great wireless.

You will not be able to scan from it...to much data transfer

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by revjvegas

ahh, then what you're looking for is a print server with wi-fi ability.

Something along these lines: Amazon.com: NEW TP-Link TL-WPS510U Mini USB 2.0 802.11g 2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi Wireless Network LAN Print Server: Electronics

NOTE: I do not know if this particular model is any good as I've not used it, I'm only using it as an example. There are many manufactures, but I do tend to favor the Linksys brand.

Thanks. I'm partial to Linksys as well.

So, if I put one of these on each printer, should the printers and computers "talk" to each other? I already have a wireless router if that's needed too.

[janikphoto]

I used to have my HP set up to do wireless printing, since it has the wifi built-in. It was very handy for printing documents from the laptop from anywhere in the house. I never set that feature back up when we changed our wifi and internet connection, but you'll love it when you get it up and running!

[dmarty78]

If your printer is ethernet capable you can print to it with any device laptop or PC that's on the same network. Your router will hand out an IP address to the printer if you have DHCP enabled on your router.

Hope this makes sense.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by dmarty78

If your printer is ethernet capable you can print to it with any device laptop or PC that's on the same network. Your router will hand out an IP address to the printer if you have DHCP enabled on your router.

Hope this makes sense.

Yes it does. Thanks.

[Some Idiot]

If you have a wireless router then just share out a desktop printer with all the laptops in the house?

For instance, I have a "main" desktop with a HP Laserjet that is shared... my desktop is hooked to a router, So the rest of the computers (wifes laptop/ kid(s) laptops) can all print to the Laserjet wireless

I fail to see the need for a special printer? unless you have no hardwired desktops? or just want new toys :-) ( <----- that i can understand 100%)

[Jake]

We have a cheapo lexmark all-in-one inkjet that is wireless. It scans, copies, prints and faxes. It pretty cool and I don't think I could ever go back to the hard wire kind.
It's not the hight quality, but it was only like $80.

[lscottpht]

I have a cheap HP Photosmart C4380 printer. Bought it used from someone, and it works great! At some point, I will get a laser, but this was only $75, so I grabbed it.

[Redneck]

Originally Posted by JohnT

Neither of my printers are WiFi, but I'd still like to fix them up for wireless printing.

I'd think about the Apple Airport Extreme or even the Express version.
It's a super fast wireless router and you can connect a regular USB printer and make it your wireless network printer.