Wireless Networking & Random Device Question

[Blakk_Majik]

I'm looking to simplify my life. There are too many wires all over the place and I've just about had it. I do not own a home (yet), so I'm limited as to the things I can do to "hide" the cables.

With that said, I will soon be purchasing brand new his/hers laptops, new printer, and the biggest USB external drive I can find (maybe not the biggest, but looking for decent size).

I've seen devices that you can connect the printer and USB drive to, and that device will in turn connect to the wireless router (Home Base by Belkin (kinda pricey), and they have another that serves essentially the same purpose for about $100 bucks), but is there a wireless router that has this functionality built-in? I don't really want a "middle man", and would prefer to have a wireless router that I can use to hook up these devices and let anyone on the network have access to them. If it helps, both laptops will have Win 7 on them.

Also, anyone have any advice on multi-device chargers? I wanted something "wireless", but most of those devices still require you have some kind of special connector (like the Powerpad), so I might at well get a USB one that can charge more than 3 devices simultaneously. If it helps, I will mainly using this to charge 2 Droid phones and 2 iPod Touch devices.

[JuggaloBrotha]

You'll either have to buy a printer that has wireless built in or you'll need to buy a printer that has an ethernet port (it's wired print server) or you'll need to buy a print server that's either wired or wireless. No matter how you look at it, there has to be a server component that'll show the printer as a resource on your network either wirelessly or wired. If your printer doesn't have a wired or wireless built in, I do recommend Belkin, they make good products.

They do make some charging pads for multiple devices but I don't know much about them, I'm not into that iPod, iPhone, iPad stuff.

[GaryMazzone]

I'm using a LinkSys router at home now. Two HP printer (1 deskjet and `1 photo printer). Both of the printers can be used either wired or wireless (I'm using wireless). We have 1 desptop connected wired to the Router and 4 Laptops connected (mix of XP and Windows 7) all share both printers with out issues.

[si_the_geek]

Thread moved from "Chit Chat" to "General PC"

[stanav]

As for networking your printer, I'm assuming it an USB printer, you have a few options:
1. Get an USB printer server. It can be wired or wireless (I prefer the wired one since wireless connectivity is still far form being reliable). You connect your printer to this print server and then connect the print server to your network. From your computers in the house, you access the printer via the print server IP address.
2. Get a wireless router that have USB port(s). These USB ports can be used to connect your external USB HDD or printer.
3. Get a printer with built-in print server. Again, the built-in print server can be wired or wireless depending on the printer model.
4. Use one of the computers to share your printer. You install the printer on this computer and share it. This requires the computer to be on whenever you want to print.

It's up to you which way you want to go. If you don't have a router yet, shop for one with an USB port. If you already have a router but it doesn't have an USB port, buy a print server is the most practical option. If you have an old laptop, you can use it to share your printer. Since the computer that the printer is shared from pretty much requires to be on 24/7, an old laptop will help save power cost in the long run. Buying another printer is the last option you want to choose.

[sparbag]

Hello,

I recently purchased a Canon MP620 wireless printer and have been very impressed in how well it functions wirelessly. It doesn't require a computer to be on but instead recieves an IP address from the wireless router.
The canon software has to be installed on any wireless computer that would like to use the software and need only be on the same network.
Both the wife's laptop, my daughter's laptop and the desktop can print wirelessly using Vista, XP Home and XP professional.

The loading tray is underneath the printer so the paper doesn't have to be dropped in the back. Also the MP620 has a quite good scanner too.

Kind regards

Steve