I have a new printer on the way HP Laserjet p2015d and I just realized that it doesn't have the ethernet port on it. I have an iMac downstairs with a wireless connection that is upstairs with my old iMac connected through the cable modem through the router. My mom uses the old iMac for business and she needs the laser printer for printing certain B&W documents like cards and a lot of other things. Now this computer only has 2 USB ports and one is used from the keyboard and the other is from the other color inkjet printer she uses. Keep in mind that this iMac only uses USB 1.1.
Now I've come to the realization that perhaps I should have gone with the p2015dn laser printer that includes an internal print server that can be connected to a router through ethernet. Now I'm not an expert on this and I'm trying to learn it, but it will connect to the router and since the router is then connected with the old wired iMac, would it be able to print from that computer directly? I would assume yes if I was using the printer model with the ethernet port on it (not the one I bought). I would also assume that I would be able to connect to the printer from my wireless iMac downstairs. Newegg is pretty good about returns especially if I buy another item that has a higher price/I don't open the box. They will usually waive the restocking fee too and if I'm lucky partial shipping charge credit sending it back.
Now another thing I could do besides shipping the thing back for about $20 to Newegg and buying the other model (the printer with the internal print server and ethernet port comes to roughly $45 more) is to buy a cheap external print server. Now not too many of them are that cheap and I really don't think I'll do that since it would make sense just to return the one I bought and buy the other slightly more expensive printer. Plus, I know of a lot of compatibility issues with these things.
1) Do I return the printer and buy the ethernet ready one? (Would I be able to connect both computers to it and also would the ethernet to router to computer be faster than a direct USB 1.1 connection?)
2) Do I leave it as is and just disconnect/reconnect the old injet printer and the new laser printer with USB (1.1 grr) as needed for use and just share the two printers? I will just leave the old iMac on all the time and keep it as a printer server.
3) Do I buy an external USB to ethernet print server and connect that way?
I guess I'm asking a few things: Speed of USB 1.1 vs. the ethernet through the router and second, overall cost. Like I said, shipping the printer back and buying the new one will cost roughly $65 more. Should I bother doing that? I did get a free 4 GB corsair flash drive I didn't really need that is not available with the new printer. External print servers don't seem to make a whole lot of sense unless I plan on expanding the network a whole lot and there is still a compatibility problem. (I don't).
Thanks for the suggestions. Of course I kind of led you all on that I will be returning it for the new one (In process of emailing a newegg rep), but the main question is what would be faster, straight through USB 1.1 to the old iMac or through the router with the newer ethernet ready printer.
Now I've come to the realization that perhaps I should have gone with the p2015dn laser printer that includes an internal print server that can be connected to a router through ethernet. Now I'm not an expert on this and I'm trying to learn it, but it will connect to the router and since the router is then connected with the old wired iMac, would it be able to print from that computer directly? I would assume yes if I was using the printer model with the ethernet port on it (not the one I bought). I would also assume that I would be able to connect to the printer from my wireless iMac downstairs. Newegg is pretty good about returns especially if I buy another item that has a higher price/I don't open the box. They will usually waive the restocking fee too and if I'm lucky partial shipping charge credit sending it back.
Now another thing I could do besides shipping the thing back for about $20 to Newegg and buying the other model (the printer with the internal print server and ethernet port comes to roughly $45 more) is to buy a cheap external print server. Now not too many of them are that cheap and I really don't think I'll do that since it would make sense just to return the one I bought and buy the other slightly more expensive printer. Plus, I know of a lot of compatibility issues with these things.
1) Do I return the printer and buy the ethernet ready one? (Would I be able to connect both computers to it and also would the ethernet to router to computer be faster than a direct USB 1.1 connection?)
2) Do I leave it as is and just disconnect/reconnect the old injet printer and the new laser printer with USB (1.1 grr) as needed for use and just share the two printers? I will just leave the old iMac on all the time and keep it as a printer server.
3) Do I buy an external USB to ethernet print server and connect that way?
I guess I'm asking a few things: Speed of USB 1.1 vs. the ethernet through the router and second, overall cost. Like I said, shipping the printer back and buying the new one will cost roughly $65 more. Should I bother doing that? I did get a free 4 GB corsair flash drive I didn't really need that is not available with the new printer. External print servers don't seem to make a whole lot of sense unless I plan on expanding the network a whole lot and there is still a compatibility problem. (I don't).
Thanks for the suggestions. Of course I kind of led you all on that I will be returning it for the new one (In process of emailing a newegg rep), but the main question is what would be faster, straight through USB 1.1 to the old iMac or through the router with the newer ethernet ready printer.