PRINTING WITHOUT WIRES

More Than One Computer In Your Household Or Business? Try a Wireless Printer


If you're household is anything like ours, there are probably two or more computers in it. And each computer may be hooked up to a printer. While printer costs have come down over the years, along with computer costs, wouldn't it be nice if all the computers could print from the same printer? Well, now they can. No need to have all those printers and buy all that ink for each one. And what's more exciting, they don't have to be hooked up with cables or routers or printer servers to do this. Wireless printers make wireless printing even easier than it has been in the past. This article will give you basic information on printing wirelessly, as well as review wireless printers, their costs, who makes them, and other miscellaneous information. If you've ever wished you could print from your computer to another printer (especially handy when your printer has just run out of ink, for instance), you should find what you need to know to include this process in your household or your small business. Read on!


Wireless Printing Options

Until recently, in order to enjoy wireless printing in your home or office, the easiest way to accomplish this has been by installing a print server to a Wi-Fi access point. While this works, the drawbacks are that it limits where you can set this up, since you must connect your printer to the print server by cable; and you must purchase the print server separately, with the potential of running into compatibility issues with your other computers. Other options included direct wiring connections between the printer and router, which again limited your mobility and where you placed the printer. A third option was to use your pc as a relay to allow wireless laptop printing, with drawbacks such as having to have your pc on at all times, including not being powered down or asleep. Now there's another option, and it's the easiest one yet: a wireless printer. Most computers made in the last three years have wireless capabilities, so all you need is a wireless router and wireless printer.

Using a wireless router and printer will give you the benefit of mobility and less cable clutter, cutting down on the number of printers you have in your household or business, and allows you to place your printer in a more convenient location than tied to your computer or to a print server.

Wireless Printers

Information on wireless printers from several makers. As a rule, wireless printers are a little more expensive than their non-wireless counterparts, but still within reason.

  • Lexmark
    Lexmark is an exception to the "more expensive" rule, and makes several wireless printers, including multifunction and single function versions. The X4550 is three-in-one color inkjet printer with wireless capabilities that sells for about $130. Print speeds are up to 26 ppm for black and 18 ppm for color printing, 27 ppm black and 11 ppm for color copying. If you want to spend less money and don't need a multifunction printer, their Z1420 is a single function printer, runs about $80, is wireless, and prints at 24 ppm black and 18 ppm color. These prices are by far the best we've seen.

  • Hewlett Packard (HP)
    For about $200, you can buy the HP 6840: an inkjet printer with built-in Wi-Fi, and suitable more for home use than for business. For about $100 more, the HP Business 1200dtwn can be yours and is the top of the line for the business-class inkjet printers. Comes with Wi-Fi and Ethernet capabilities.
  • Canon
    Canon offers the Pixma iP6700D for about $130. While the text quality isn't rated as very good, it does get good marks for photo printing.

Mobile Printers

You can also get wireless capabilities in mobile printers. If you have a need for a small, portable printer, here's a listing of wireless portable printers for your consideration.

HP Deskjet 460wf Mobile and 460Wwbt Mobile
Both are wireless, color inkjet printers, and costs around $275.

Canon Pixma iP90v Wireless Mobile Printer
The "v" model is Vista-enabled and costs around $200-$275.

Final Words

Expect more options in wireless printers, since it's a simple way to connect computers to a single printer. And expect the prices to fall as more models come on the market. Check the web pages for the printer manufacturers to see what they will have to offer.

Resource Index

Audio-Video-and-Cameras:
Plasma TV, LCD TV, MP3 Players, TIVO, Satellite TV, Dgitial Cameras, Digital Camcorders, Bose iPod Speakers, Multimedia Projectors, GPS, Blu-ray Disc

Computer and Accessories:
Choosing a Laptop Computer, Computer Memory Upgrade, Copying a Hard Drive, Dual Monitors, Networking Computers, Microsoft Office, PDA's, Cheap Ink/Toner, Color Laser Printers, Multifunction Printers, Scanners, USB Flash Drives, Wireless Printers, Dell computers, Wireless Routers, Wireless G Routers, Wireless N Routers, Laptop Carrying Cases

Computer and Video Games:
Age of Empires III, Battlefield 2

Entertainment:
Online Gambling, Poker, Routlette, Blackjack, Craps and other Online Games, Online Casinos, Movies, Online DVD Rentals, Home Theater Systems , Home Theater Components, HDTV, HDTV Buying Tips, HD Radio, Portable DVD Players, Magazine Subscriptions

Fun-Hobbies:
Tropical Fish, Aquariums, Scrapbooking, Rubber Stamping, Geneology, Geocaching, Soap Making, Candle Making

Legal:
Criminal Defense Attorneys, Tax Attorneys, Lemon Law Protection, Structured Settlements, Investment Fraud, Bankruptcy Attorneys, Personal Injury Attorneys, Family Law

CellPhones-and-Communication
Cell Phones, Cell Phone Carriers, Prepaid Cell Phone Plans, Cell Phone Ringtones, Headsets, VOIP, Cheap Long Distance, iPhone, Blackberry, Bluetooth Technology, SmartPhones

Jobs-Schooling
Online College Degrees, Business Degrees, Home Schooling, Drivers Education, Job Resumes, Online Job Search
Internet:
Cybercrime Prosecution, IE Security, Affordable Web Hosting, Web Hosting, Domain Name Registration, Search Engines, Web Site Design, Internet Mailing Lists, Blogging, Internet Serive Providers, Free Email, Clip Art

Finance and Insurance:
Auto Insurance, Car Insurance Quotes, RV Insurance, General Insurance, Travel Insurance, Business Insurance, Basic Guide to Consolidating Student Loans, Cash Advance Loans, Federal Student Loan Consolidation, Debt Consolidation, Debt Management, Credit Card Debt Consolidation, Free Credit Reports, Home Mortgages, Home Equity Loans, Mortgage Refinancing, Mortgage Rates, Mortgage Companies, Second Mortgages, Mortgage Brokers, Health Insurance, Insurance Quotes, Term life Insurance, Mortgage note buyer, Renter's Insurance, Household Budgeting

Home:
Home improvement, Outdoor Lighting, Kitchen Remodeling, Kitchen Countertops, Espresso Makers, Food Processors, Coffee Makers, Coffee Grinders, Slow Cookers, Popcorn makers, Blenders, Cutting Boards, Refrigerators, Freezers, Washers & Dryers, Bathroom Remodeling, Kitchen & Bathroom Faucets, Bathtubs, House Windows, Closet Organizers, Window Treatments, Hardwood Floors, Carpeting, Home Security, Water Heaters, Water Filters, Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Bamboo Flooring, Portable Air Conditioners, Dehumidifiers, Siding, House Cleaning Services, Home Organization, Vacuum Cleaners, Cannister Vacuum Cleaners, Handcheld Vacuum Cleaners, Upright Vacuum Cleaners, Stick Vacuum Cleaners, Wet-Dry Vacuum Cleaners, Furnaces, Fireplace Inserts, Electric Space Heaters, Pellet Stoves, Wood Stoves, Heat Pumps, Buying a used car



Business-Office-Supplies:
Discount Office Supplies, Home Office, Office Furniture, Copiers, Home Business, Business Cards, Business Brochures, Mailing List Companies, Affiliates, Franchises, Business Telephone Systems, Employment Agencies, Call Centers, Fax Machines
Health and Wellness:
Fioricet for Migraine Relief, Online Pharmacies, Phentermine for dieting, Tramadol for Chronic Pain Relief, Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Lawyers, Acne Treatment, Contact Lenses, Drug Rehabilitation, Cerebral Palsy, Hair Loss, Hair Loss Products, Human Growth Hormones , Diet Pills, Treadmills, Fragrances, Reducing Cholesterol, Diabetes, Obesity, Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Acid reflux, Cialis, Understanding Depression, Unraveling Diet Plans, Erectile dysfunction, Lipitor, Sleep Loss, Viagra, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Living With Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder

Gifts:
Gift Ideas, Corporate Gifts, Gift Cards, Wristwatches, Replica Watches, Sunglasses, Wholesale Jewelry, Jewelry Boxes, Wedding Gifts, Food Gifts, Books, Music, Flowers, Gift Baskets, Candles & Candleholders, Chocolate & Candy

Sports:
Health Clubs, Home Gyms, Treadmills, Golf, Golf Vacations, Golf Schools, Golf Clubs, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Basketball

Travel:
Railroad Train Travel, Greyhound Bus Travel, Moving Guide, Rental Cars, Luxury Cruises, Maui Vacation, Spain Travel, Panama Cruise, Mexico Travel, Europe Travel, Disneyland Vacation, Disney World Vacation, Airline Tickets, Las Vegas Vacations, Las Vegas Sights, Las Vegas Entertainment, Las Vegas Dining, Lake Tahoe, Reno Vacations, Grand Canyon Vacation, Alaska Vacation, San Juan Island Vacation, Seattle Vacation, San Francisco Vacation, San Diego Vacation, SeaWorld Vacation, Yellowstone Park Vacation, Los Angeles Vacation, Bed & Breakfasts, Las Cruces New Mexico Vacation, Texas Hill Country Vacation, Columbia River Gorge Vacation, Albuquerque Vacation, New Mexico Vacation, Utah Vacation, Denver Vacation, Carlsbad Caverns, Branson, Missouri, Arizona Vacations, Jackson Wyoming, Skiing Wyoming, Skiing Oregon, Skiing Utah, Skiing Colorado, Skiing California, Skiing Washington State, Skiing Idaho

Yard-and-Garden:
Lawn Care, Patio Furniture, Hot Tubs & Spas, Gazebos, Fences, Decks, Barbeque Grills, Greenhouses, Patios, Sprinkler Systems, Landscape Design, Backyard Ponds, Bird Baths, Hedge Trimmers, String Trimmers, Wheelbarrows and Gardencarts, Lawn Mowers, Lawn Mowers, Lawn Care Tools, Lawn Edgers, Leaf Blowers, Now Blowers, Rakes