Connecting two computers to one printer

[LHTEC]

Hightower,

have a look at this. HP Photosmart Wireless All-in-One Printer: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

it is a wireless printer that talks directly to your router, without being actually physically connected as would both your computers. When you want to print you do so as if it was connected to the machine you are using.

The big plus with this kind of set up is that it (the printer) can live anywhere within wireless range and as long as the software is installed on any computers/iphones/blackberrys etc you want to print from there is no limit on the number you can print from.

Quality is good and the ink is relatively cheap and the set up instructions for wireless use are very clear.

HTH

[actions]

Originally Posted by LHTEC

Hightower,

have a look at this. HP Photosmart Wireless All-in-One Printer: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

HTH

That's the printer we bought two weeks ago. Its such a doddle. So easy to set up has scanner etc too. I was fed up with wires everywhere and changing leads and also the cost of ink. I wouldn't change back now. You can send things to your printer from anywhere and it just prints them when you turn it on. Which has its downsides if you give the brother in law the address. Doh.

Top marks for this printer.

Sent from my galaxy s2

[Boats&Outboards]

Originally Posted by actions

That's the printer we bought two weeks ago. Its such a doddle. So easy to set up has scanner etc too. I was fed up with wires everywhere and changing leads and also the cost of ink. I wouldn't change back now. You can send things to your printer from anywhere and it just prints them when you turn it on. Which has its downsides if you give the brother in law the address. Doh.

Top marks for this printer.

Sent from my galaxy s2

Me too (although would be nice to have the option of printing page 1 of 2 etc rather than the whole document). Print quality ok, miss the duplex printing and easy advanced options but you get what you pay for I guess.

Peter ~ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

[Max...]

On a similar vein if you don't use it already install 'Dropbox' on all your devices - one of the essential iPhone apps but also great for file sharing between all your computers and devices.

[Boats&Outboards]

Isn't that what Apple iCloud is for ?

Peter ~ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

[Max...]

Yes, but Dropbox is usable on any devices (Apple) or otherwise - I'm an Apple user but Dropbox is a must have app. Try it and see.

[Erin]

Going back a bit here, but you used to be able to get a printer switch for parallel printer cables that allowed you to share one printer between two pc's. Surely there must be a usb version available.

[EnglishLes]

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

Me too (although would be nice to have the option of printing page 1 of 2 etc rather than the whole document).

Peter ~ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

Selecting which pages to print should be an option of the software not of the hardware (On a PC don't know about Macs).

Using this can then give you duplex if you print pages 1,3,5 etc then turn the pages over and print 2,4,6 etc.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Erin

Going back a bit here, but you used to be able to get a printer switch for parallel printer cables that allowed you to share one printer between two pc's. Surely there must be a usb version available.

There is that is the six quid eBay link Andy posted last night.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Max...

Yes, but Dropbox is usable on any devices (Apple) or otherwise - I'm an Apple user but Dropbox is a must have app. Try it and see.

+1 for Dropbox, top app especially for Iphone, simple transfer between phone, laptop, desktop etc.

[Hightower]

If it was just me, then I'd swap over the USB connection everytime I wanted to print something from one computer or other. But as my family's involved with all manner of printing for school work etc. I'm having to go down the shared printer route.

A friendly RIBnet member has offered me a U.S. Robotics Printer Server, but even with this option I'll have to buy an expander to be able to plug all connections in to the Router.

It might not be so flexible as a printer server, but I've decided to try the Auto USB switch that I posted earlier in the thread. It does everything I need it to do without having to get too involved in setting it up with software etc. I've found three USB A-B cables I can use with it.

Thanks for all your input

[Max...]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

+1 for Dropbox, top app especially for Iphone, simple transfer between phone, laptop, desktop etc.

Sneaky! I should have done the referral thing!

[Boats&Outboards]

Originally Posted by EnglishLes

Selecting which pages to print should be an option of the software not of the hardware (On a PC don't know about Macs).

Using this can then give you duplex if you print pages 1,3,5 etc then turn the pages over and print 2,4,6 etc.

Yes but on the ipad/iphone you just have basic print option not any advanced options. I rarely use the desktop and to print as you say you have to be present to turn the page over then which renders the wireless and remote prints useless (for me at least). My old printer (Canon) used to print double sided by doing one then feeding itself back in to print the other side. So much easier and better. Especially for bill of sales. You get what you pay for though

Peter ~ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Max...

Sneaky! I should have done the referral thing!

[Boats&Outboards]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Shame I didn't use the link :wink:

Peter ~ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007