Experience/Recommendations on Printer Servers

[Spacecomber]

I was wondering whether those network printer server devices work very well. This is for a home printer that isn't used everyday; so, hooking it up to a PC (to act as the printer server) hasn't been very satisfactory. I was thinking that a printer with built-in networking capabilities, such as HP OfficeJet 6310, or a printer server from the likes of Linksys, etc. might be a better option.

I'd like to hear what people's experiences have been with this sort of printer networking, before I decide whether to pursue this.

Thanks.

 

[Old Hippie]

Short, sweet, and to the point............
I've never had much luck with print servers. I'll never buy another printer without built-in networking.

 

[Spacecomber]

Thanks for that. It's helpful to know that a printer with a built in networking capability is a better choice than trying to patch things together with a print-server, networking device.

How well do these printers (with network capability) handle sitting in stand-by mode for several days between print jobs? Can the computer that the print job is being sent from find the printer reliably, or do you run into a situation where you often need to go turn the printer on, off, and back on again to get it active on the network?

 

[Old Hippie]

I can only speak from my limited experience. My printers have always been connected thru a wireless router. My USB Canon was just a PIA. Dropped connections, print half pages, wouldn't "wake-up", and that was on it's Good days. My 2 yr old ethernet HP 2510 has been perfect. The software is major bloated and can be difficult, but the mechanical aspects and connectivity are A-1.
Do yourself a favor, and spend a little bit more for ethernet.

 

[Modelworks]

I use a HP jet direct 300x server.
It only has a parallel port so no usb devices.
It works well with scanners, printers, aio, etc.

You can ge them cheap off places like ebay for about 30.00 if you want to try it with a printer you already have. Don't buy one from places like cdw unless you want to pay a premium, usually about 250.00 .


Buying new its probably better to get a printer with builtin ethernet.

I do like that I can configure it in xp as just a network printer and install very basic software without all the bloatware printer manufacturers like to add.

 

[Spacecomber]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I think that I'll start looking into the details more on what is available from HP in the way of an all-in-one machine with networking built-in. As I mentioned before, something like the HP Officejet 6310 looks like the sort of machine that would meet my needs. They seem to be readily available online and in various stores that carry computer and office equipment.

 

[skyking]

As pointed out above, the HP 300x and the 2591A are good parallel port servers, and I have used them extensively in small office settings.
They are essentially the same device in the jetdirect cards from the laserjet 3,4,5 series. I have not tried any USB product out.