| Many consumers today are looking to expand | | | | router and don't need another one. You also need |
| their home wireless network and add additional | | | | to setup the printer and router where your |
| printing capability. Having the freedom to use your | | | | Internet comes into the home. This can be |
| home desktop or laptop anywhere in your house | | | | somewhat limiting depending on where your cable |
| and then printing without the worry of connecting | | | | or phone comes in. |
| to a device is a reality today with the right | | | | Wireless Print Server - The most popular option in |
| equipment and setup. | | | | sharing a printer wirelessly is by purchasing a |
| There are many ways to configure your device | | | | wireless print server. Most major electronics |
| to print wirelessly. Each has its own pros and cons | | | | companies produce different models and have |
| and the costs vary accordingly. Some scenarios | | | | varying degrees of compatibility. For example, the |
| are based on your existing setup (for example, if | | | | wireless kit provided by HP only works with HP |
| your printer has networking built-in). From my | | | | printers, which can be limiting if you upgrade to a |
| experience, there are four main methods of | | | | different brand down the road. Getting a printer |
| connecting a printer to a home-based wireless | | | | up and working using a wireless print server can |
| network. | | | | be somewhat difficult if you are very unfamiliar |
| Printer Sharing Setup - If you already have a | | | | with general networking. Most manufactures |
| printer connected to a computer that you want | | | | include a setup program to make the process |
| to share, it's easy to setup your Windows or Mac | | | | easier though. |
| based computer with printer sharing. Then, | | | | Built-in Wireless Printer Setup - If you're in the |
| anyone on your wireless network can print to | | | | market for a new printer, check to make sure |
| your shared printer. The downside to this setup is | | | | that wireless connectivity is built-in. Most |
| that the computer must remain on because it's | | | | information transmitted to printers is a relatively |
| acting as a print server. The upside is that it's | | | | small amount so 802.11b and 802.11g speeds are |
| nearly free if you already have a computer and | | | | plenty fast. The newer 802.11n standard adds a |
| printer setup to print locally. It can become difficult | | | | lot to the price tag and isn't worth the extra |
| if you're using an older Windows based system | | | | money unless you print huge graphics files most |
| (98/ME), but it is possible. | | | | of the time. There are many manufactures that |
| Wireless Router Setup - There are many routers | | | | offer wireless printers. Usually the model number |
| available today that include a USB port. This allows | | | | includes a "w" at the end for those printers that |
| you to connect a USB only printer to a wireless | | | | have wireless functionality. Be sure to double |
| network quickly. The downside to this scenario is | | | | check the specifications before purchasing. |
| that most consumers already have a wireless | | | | |