cheapest/best solution....

[Gibson486]

for sharing a printer between 2 laptops.....

I was just gonna get a parallel port switch, but this guy at work is bugging me and saying i just use a (wireless) printer server and use it on my little 2 computer network at home.

Ok, not a bad idea, but i don't see why that is needed since both laptops are on the same desk with the printer.

he then told me that switches will not work with bi directional printers. While I have no idea if my printer (HP 720c) is that, all I know is that i will not be using any scanners on this, so i see no point in that argument.

It just seems like overkill to use something like a printer server. SHould i just tell him toleave me alone and just buy the switch? or you guys think I should "keep up with the technology" and buy a $60 - 80 wireless printer server?

 

[InlineFive]

In your situation since you don't seem to want to share files or an internet connection using the print switch makes more sense.

 

[JackMDS]

Why Wireless?

You can get this: HPS1P 10/100 Print Server Mini 1 Parallel Printer Port.

Mechanical Parallel port switches are Bad Idea the transients will end up S**** the printer.

Electronic Switch + Cable will not be much cheaper.

:sun:

 

[Garion]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Why Wireless?

You can get this: HPS1P 10/100 Print Server Mini 1 Parallel Printer Port.

Mechanical Parallel port switches are Bad Idea the transients will end up S**** the printer.

Electronic Switch + Cable will not be much cheaper.

:sun:

That only works if the two laptops are already networked. If that's the case, he might as well just plug the printer into one of the two laptops and share it across the network.

- G

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Garion

That only works if the two laptops are already networked. If that's the case, he might as well just plug the printer into one of the two laptops and share it across the network.- G

LOL, I guess I saw this:

Originally posted by: Gibson486
My little 2 computer network at home.

and got caught in the proccess with the Wireless notion, thus not seeing the obvious.

:sun:

 

[JeffMD]

quit being lazy and switch the wire manually. ^^ this printer is parrellel? go out and spend 30 bucks on a usb one darn it!

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Why Wireless?

You can get this: HPS1P 10/100 Print Server Mini 1 Parallel Printer Port.

Mechanical Parallel port switches are Bad Idea the transients will end up S**** the printer.

Electronic Switch + Cable will not be much cheaper.

:sun:

so this would end wrecking the printer? It's $50, but I plan on getting a cheaper one.

BTW, the computers are sharing the internet via wireless router...I was gonna share the printer across network from 1 computer, but to do that, doesn't my computer have to be on when i want to print from the other computer?

Could you take a wired printer server, and put it on the LAN of a wireless network?

 

[Garion]

It's not that it would wreck the printer, it's that switches occasionally allow some garbage to cross to the printer. That results in corupted print jobs - Those things that spew out 200 pages of garbage until they are done (or until you power EVERYTHING down).

If you want to allow both computers to access the printer regardless of if one or the other is turned on (or even there!), Jack's suggestion of a print server is the best bet, by far. You plug your printer into it, plug it into your network, setup your printer drivers on your local PC and you're golden. Cheaper than the switch you found and it will support any number of computers, including those on a wireless network.

- G

 

[JackMDS]

The Belkin thing in your link is OK the switching in the box is electronically controlled.

But -Gs notion is very valid.

In addtion the thingie is not very comfortable to control it uses three heavy (pain in the neck) cables, and it cost more than the Hawking device that is linked to in my first post.

Why you want to pay more and have a clunky cumbersome device instead of a little box with one CAT5e cable that control the printing automatically?

There is nothing what so ever that justifies your solution.:shocked::shocked::shocked:

:sun:

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
The Belkin thing in your link is OK the switching in the box is electronically controlled.

But -Gs notion is very valid.

In addtion the thingie is not very comfortable to control it uses three heavy (pain in the neck) cables, and it cost more than the Hawking device that is linked to in my first post.

Why you want to pay more and have a clunky cumbersome device instead of a little box with one CAT5e cable that control the printing automatically?

There is nothing what so ever that justifies your solution.:shocked::shocked::shocked:

:sun:

Are all print servers created equal?

 

[Griffinhart]

I, myself, would go for a print server solution. There are two real options there. A dedicated printer server (wireless or cabled, depending on your setup) or a router/Firewall with a printserver included (there are a few of those out there now)

Frankly, a printserver set up is just more elegant than a switchbox and if you ever add more machines to your network or need to roam around the house with your laptop you'll be better off.