Interface question (printer)

[struggler44]

When info states "interface - ethernet/USB", does that mean I can attach the printer to my wireless router and print from my laptop wirelessly? or would I need a "wireless" printer?

[merc669]

From what you said you can print either via USB or from the Ethernet Port on back of printer. Very little info so cannot say for sure of that. But my initial thinking would be one of those two and not wireless...

Bill....

[GWguy]

Originally Posted by struggler44

When info states "interface - ethernet/USB", does that mean I can attach the printer to my wireless router and print from my laptop wirelessly? or would I need a "wireless" printer?

It means that the printer has both USB and Ethernet interfaces, and you can use either or both.

Yes, you can connect it to the router directly via hard wire, then access it from your laptop via WiFi, as long as both are using the same router.

A 'wireless' printer just allows you to eliminate the hard wire to the router and use WiFi instead. Big advantage is being able to locate the printer where you want without having to worry about wires.

[Kineticist]

Originally Posted by GWguy

It means that the printer has both USB and Ethernet interfaces, and you can use either or both.

Yes, you can connect it to the router directly via hard wire, then access it from your laptop via WiFi, as long as both are using the same router.

A 'wireless' printer just allows you to eliminate the hard wire to the router and use WiFi instead. Big advantage is being able to locate the printer where you want without having to worry about wires.

Also, make sure you have a password on your wireless network, or else your neighbors can find your printer too and you'll suddenly find yourself wondering why you have Bob from across the street's tax return on your desk.

[struggler44]

Thanks for the info, wanted to make sure I wasn't getting something that wasn't going to help me; kids printing for school from any room in the house...YAY!

[Mongo53]

Just so you understand, Ethernet means a wired connection to your Ethernet Network. Like stated, you have to run a cable from the printer to a Switch Port on the back of your router.

They make some wifi to ethernet adapters, plug the ethernet cable into the device and it connects to wifi, to turn your ethernet connection into a wifi, but its NOT worth the cost and hassle, they are hard to find as well. If you have a WiFi network at home and want to connect your printer to WiFi, get one that has WiFi built into it.

You can also use the USB port and windows file and print sharing on the computer the printer is connected too, then all the computers on the network can print through the computer connected to the printer. This requires the host computer is on and NOT asleep, when you want to print from another computer, so obviously, network ability built into the printer is a better way to go then doing it through a host computer.