How to Tell if a Printer Connects to a Router, Permitting Wireless Us

[i_am_jim]

I have a friend who wants as cheap a printer as she can buy that will connect to her router (cable connection is OK -- the printer doesn't need to be wireless), so she can print from her wireless laptop.

What do I look for in the specs or features?

The salesman at Frys said the Canon MX310 would do this, but I can't see anywhere in the description of this printer where it says it will http://tinyurl.com/7ncdx9

 

[mikling]

Look for a printer port of some type on the wireless router. Match that port to that of the printer and you should be able to then configure the router and laptop. Looks like you might be a bit confused about this. Read the instructions that came with the wireless router and understand what is going on before proceeding.

 

[i_am_jim]

I'm sure you're right about me being confused about this as I have never had or used a printer on a wireless router.

Are you saying it is the router that has to have a printer connection -- for example, a USB port? And, if the router has a USB port all you have to do it plug any USB printer into the router and you can print from a wireless laptop?

The chap a FRY'S said the printer had to have a Ethernet port and it simply connected to the router like a computer or any other Ethernet device.

 

[websnail]

My advice would be to get an MX700 if you can... It's got seperate ink cartridges (PGI-5 and PCI-8 so resetters work) and a built in LAN server so it fits the bill... It's not the cheapest but anyone who doesn't consider the costs of replacement cartridges and consumables needs their head examining as that's where it hurts the wallet most!

 

[tyamada]

I have a friend who wants as cheap a printer as she can buy that will connect to her router (cable connection is OK -- the printer doesn't need to be wireless), so she can print from her wireless laptop.

What do I look for in the specs or features?

The salesman at Frys said the Canon MX310 would do this, but I can't see anywhere in the description of this printer where it says it will http://tinyurl.com/7ncdx9

There are a few ways you can print wireless from a laptop.

1. Use a printer with Ethernet capability, if it does you can use a Ethernet cable to connect it to the router.

2. You can use a printer that has wireless capability. http://www.nextag.com/wireless-printer/products-html

3. You can use a Router that has a USB Shareport. Connects to router via USB cable. http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2008/10/dlink_introduces_shareport_technology.html

4. You could use a Wireless Printserver. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=371

 

[mikling]

Typically only the higher end printers feature wireless capabilities or ethernet ports built in. That essentially means that the shareport type of product is likely your best bet. Consider that the shareport allows ANY USB printer to be connected.......as well as the possible potential of connecting other things to it. In all of these solutions, documentation is key to getting it working properly.

Here is an interesting one as well

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=25303&vpn=wl-520gu&manufacture=asus#CustomerReviews

 

[chobo2]

I have a friend who wants as cheap a printer as she can buy that will connect to her router (cable connection is OK -- the printer doesn't need to be wireless), so she can print from her wireless laptop.

What do I look for in the specs or features?

The salesman at Frys said the Canon MX310 would do this, but I can't see anywhere in the description of this printer where it says it will http://tinyurl.com/7ncdx9

As far as I can tell the Canon Mx310 does not support networking. Looking it up at futureshop.com(http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pr...angid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10093037&catid=10781) it states that it has no networking capability.

You should look for words like "wireless networked" or "networked". If it can do this either one of these things they will advertise it on the box.

I have the brother mfc-465cn multi function printer. It is pretty good and it is cheap. It has network functionality but not wireless functionality. Meaning you have to actually connect the printer to the router through and Ethernet cable(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet). Once it is connected to your router you can use it with any computer connected to your router including any laptops that are connected wirelessly(You might need the software that comes with printer to be installed on the laptop. I can't remember I think I installed it on all my laptops and computers. I did not really check if I could use the printer without the software).

So far I have had no problems with the printer. I did buy replacement warranty for $10 encase the 3rd party inks I had would somehow destroy it but so far the 3rd party ink I bought works very well and is cheap(http://www.inkanada.net/quality.html). So the printer came out to be $100CAN and that includes taxes(around $10), environmental fee($10), warranty($10). It is pretty good for the price since it also comes with ink that is at full capacity(all colors + black).

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26993&promoid=1016


P.S

Since you want a printer with networking capability you don't need a printer cable. You only need one or the other(being the ethernet cable). If you get the printer cable it won't be able to connect to your router.

Also if your buying the printer from a big box store such as futureshop or bestbuy. Don't let them sucker you into buying a cable from them. They are overpriced by alot. You should not being paying a few dollars for either the printer cable or ethernet cable, not $20,$50 for the cable like that they want.

Just a quick look at ncix.com you can get a 1Ft cable for like $2.68CAN to 50FT for $18CAN. Where as futureshop.com has a 7ft cable for about $22CAN.

 

[tyamada]

Here is an inexpensive wireless laptop printer:
http://tinyurl.com/75h9km

 

[mel a golfer-not]

I have a HP PSC 1510 connected to my desk computer (USB) and a D Link Wireless router to connect my OLD Toshiba laptop and I installed the printer on the laptop and now it prints thru the router to the printer. I enabled print sharing on both computers. Maybe that is too easy.

 

[chobo2]

I have a HP PSC 1510 connected to my desk computer (USB) and a D Link Wireless router to connect my OLD Toshiba laptop and I installed the printer on the laptop and now it prints thru the router to the printer. I enabled print sharing on both computers. Maybe that is too easy.

Only problem with this is that your desk top computer has to be on in order to print from any other computer.