Stuff is so cheap these days.. Im going wireless myself.
Good luck.
I just scored a HP 15” Touch Laptop Windows 10 4GB RAM 500GB HD.
Which has absolutely nothing to do with the question of why you need to print stuff.
Go to a couple computer stores and get some hands on info, so to speak. Let them
walk you through what your options are and the best routes for your needs.
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/Product.do?sku=C11CD31201
Printers are so cheap these days, just get an inkjet multifunction device. Not worthwhile bothering with the print server.
IMHO.
We have an hp OfficeJet 4632 that has been working flawlessly for us. Admittedly we don’t use it very heavily. Setup, printing, scanning, all work fine. We access it via wi-fi and it is direct USB to the PC next to it. Easy enough to set up for my Linux machine and wife’s Windows and Mac laptops.
I’m about to re-fire up my Dell OPTIPLEX gx1.
From 20 years ago.
Just so I can run a racing program with force feedback steering and my gas and brake pedals.
I have an Epson WF-7610 that I am very happy with, but it is a beast in size. I needed something that could scan and print 11x17. I’m sure that the smaller models will be good too.
Find a good wireless capable hp printer on craigslist.
Fourteen responses and no one asked if you were logged in, for shame!
I just purchased five computers last week from Goodwill on eBay.
Dell OptiPlex 755 MT, Intel Core 2 Duo E6550, 1GB RAM $49.95 free shipping
Dell OptiPlex 330 DT Intel Pentium D $10.50 local pickup
Dell OptiPlex 745 SFF Intel Pentium Dual Core $11.01 local pickup
Dell Inspiron 6000 $23.58 local pickup
Dell OptiPlex 755 SFF Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 $24.65 local pickup
Two computers need hard disk drives, which cost me $6.00 each for 80GB. Already had the recovery CD/DVD OS and driver software or purchased for a few dollars. All 5 computers together will cost less than $100.00 when I finish refurbishing them. Just finished installing MS Windows XP Pro and MS Windows Vista 32-bit on two of them.
A Dell OptiPlex 990 was purchased on eBay from Dell Financial Services for $265.00 with an Intel Core i7 2600 CPU, 16GB RAM, 200GB HDD, and MS Windows 7 Professional 64-bit.
In other words, some careful shopping can quickly replace your failed computers with used computers for a fraction of the cost of comparable new computers.
When selecting a printer be sure to match the system requirements found in the specifications for the printer to the Microsoft operating system you are using. Some printers are not fully supported or are not supported at all by some operating systems.
The same is true for applications software. use LibreOffice or OpenOffice as a free open source replacement for Microsoft Office.
I’ve had a Canon 3-in-one, the MG5520, for a year or so. No complaints. Can print wireless to it via smartphone.
Consider a color laser. Prices are relatively low. Toner cartridges last much longer (and no nozzle clogging).
I have a Xerox Phaser I bought on a cyberMonday sale several years ago for $150 (shipping included). It is still on the original cartridges. I don’t print much, but when I do, it takes about 15 seconds to warm up and print out a fresh laser sheet. It also has WiFi, so when I went to add it to my Win7 laptop, it was already there.
Just get a printer
The inkjets are inexpensive and easy to set up.
A print server would complicate your life.
One and done....
Of the list of printers that someone posted from PC magazine, I have an HP and a Brother that are both wireless.
The Brother, once set up, works well wirelessly. But if it is ever moved and has to be set up again it is very difficult. I have been able to move mine and set it up online again, but I have a very tech savvy friend who could not ever get it to go again and gave it away.
The HP that I have is older than the ones on the list, but in addition to being wireless it will also airprint. Airprint meaning you can print from your phone and iPad as well as from an actual laptop.
Epsons are easy to set up and I had one that airprinted but it kept jamming. I gave it to my son, he unjammed it and his family enjoys being able to print from iPad from anywhere in the house.
So if I were you, I would be sure to ask if it airprinted, stay away from Brother unless it is always staying in the same spot, and probably do not want to buy a Samsung. I had one that was able to go online after a struggle, then went offline, and I ended up just using it with a print cable.
personally I have 2 printers both wireless. Get a cheep black and white laser ($70-$120) and then get a good multifunction inkjet with as many color cartages as you can get. Mostly I’d stay away from HP, I’ve found their software a bit problematic, though the last one I’ve had experience with is in fact better. Don’t worry about the ink prices, google LD products and buy the house brand for 50-70% less. If you get a laser don’t forget to get an extra drum, to keep on hand. My drums last about 6 toners.
Just got new wireless HP Envy printer/scanner/copier for Father’s Day - seems to be working well.....