Setting up a printer to a wireless network...

I've searched around the forums and found some answers to my question. I just need to make sure that I understand all this correctly.

My parents recently bought a notebook computer and a wireless router to replace their aging desktop.
The computer is an Acer Aspire 5535.
The wireless router is a D-Link WBR-2310.
From what I can tell, this router does not have a built-in USB printer server.

The printer they use is an HP PSC 1350 All-in-One. Fairly old printer, with no networking capabilities.

So if I wanted to get that printer on the wireless network:
1. I need to buy a Wireless Printer Server. I can then connect the printer to the printer server via USB port, and that will connect to the Router?
2. Buy a new wireless router that has a built-in USB printer server. So then, I can just hook up the printer to the router (but the printer always needs to be next to the router for this set-up)?

Are those my two options? (Unless I were to buy a new printer with a built-in wireless?).
I'm currently in Canada, so I need to buy whatever equipment I need here. I'm having a hard time finding a Wireless Printer Server, so I'm thinking about the second option.
Any clarification or advice would be appreciated. I need to get this done within the next couple of days, as my parents aren't very good with computers and I leave in 2 days.

 

The wireless print server I use (and have used for the last year and a half with no problems) is the Netgear WGPS606. With that, I get my old Brother USB all-in-one printer available on the network to all computers that connect to the network.

 

And how easy is it to set this up?
What exactly do I have to do to?

 

Since you only have 2 days, are your parents going to be happy with just the printing function set up?

If so, then setup is fairly easy; if not, and they'll want the other functions (e.g., scanning and faxing) set up, not so easy (unless that all-in-one has been added to the "fully supported" list for the WGPS606).

The print server comes with a set of instructions that are tolerably well written, and Netgear's setup customer support is dynamite (at least, it was when I set my print server up).

 

In some cases, it's better to replace the old printer, even an all-in-one one, with the latest model, in this case with the one with built-in wireless networking capability, as the cost for their ink cartridges could nearly match up the price of new printers with more advanced functions.

Cause recently in Tokyo's electronic shops I've seen some new all-in-one models with built-in wireless networking function priced around 1.5 times of the total cost for getting the two ink cartridges of my aging HP's all-in-one.

Just a thought though.

 

That is actually a very good point - I wish I'd thought of it. My in-laws have an ancient Xerox Workcentre that they just cannot be brought to part with, notwithstanding that the ink cartridges (one b/w, one color) have to be special ordered, and the color cartridge costs almost $100 per now. I think I may have made a bit of a dent when I actually went out and bought a new printer for someone else for under $100, ink cartridges and all; however, that remains to be seen.

So, if the OP's parents' printer is old enough that obtaining ink cartridges is either difficult and/or expensive, it might be better to simply buy them a network-ready all-in-one - if I recall correctly, some of those printers are also wireless-ready, so they don't even need an ethernet wired connection.

 

Good points you two. It isn't that old, so obtaining ink cartridges isn't difficult but they are pretty expensive. I think the black one is around 50$. So it might actually be worth it to just buy a new printer (plus the one they currently have is out of black ink).
I'll go shopping tomorrow, to see what kind of deal I can get on a printer around here.
Thanks for the help.

 

I got my all in one lexmark inkjet for $0.00 from NCIX. It comes with ink cartridges. I'm using it as a "single use" color printer. Once the ink cartridge is used up, I'll be going to NCIX and get another $0.00 AIO inkjet printer for free again for the 3rd time.

 

Hee, hee - good way to go, if you've got it!

 

buy a new printer, really its just the way to go, and much easier

 

The best part is that I can sell the printer after I'm done using for $10-20. Printer is free and I get $10-20 free profit off from selling used hardware. It's both environmentally friendly (by letting other people reusing the AIO printer) and also let me make some pocket money at the same time.

For the OP: If you want a cheap $/page printer, get this one

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=33670&vpn=CLP-310N/XAA&manufacture=Samsung&promoid=1005

Samsung network color laser printer $170CAD, prints about 1500-2000 pages color/black&white. This color laser printer used to be $130 couple month ago. I almost bought one, but the free inkjet (for the 3rd time) still has a lower price/page ratio than this awesome laser printer.

BTW.. if you buy this printer, use it until the ink toner is used up, then sell it or throw it in the garbage. Buying more toner cost more than the printer itself just like the free inkjet printers that I bought.

 

I dunno about anyone else, but it strikes me as a bit ridiculous when things get to the point where an ink cartridge costs more than the printer that uses it.