Modern printers have only changed slightly in terms of connectivity options. Even now, they use the same USB standard since average users only send small amounts of data to the printer for printing resulting to near instant completion of your jobs. Another feature shared amongst all modern printers is the ability to share the device with other computers on the network. The operating system makes this possible through a network system and therefore requires a little bit of configuration including the required software and cabling. Once the network is finally set up, it can process print jobs as long as the computer it is connected to stays on.

Networked printers came into the market primarily for businesses that do not want that requirement of a computer needing to be on whenever the printer is needed. Modern computers offer great speed as a general rule of thumb, but the best convenience for most business is the fact that all networked devices can print using a single device.

Networked printers work a bit differently because they are treated as individual nodes. They connect directly to a hub or router so computers can access the printer the same way they access other computers. The cheapest networked printers are the ones powered by Ethernet technology, where you can find an Ethernet jack on the back and you can connect a standard network cable to the router so other computers connected to the router have access. Just because a networked printer depends on a wired connection does not mean that all other computers need to be wired as well.

If the router happens to be a wireless one, the network printer only needs to connect the cable to any of the available jacks while other devices only need to connect to the router wirelessly. As long as you plan on placing the router right next to the printer so there are no range limitations, you can save some money getting a networked model that depends on a wire, but has wireless potential.

For more wireless freedom, the other option is to get a networked device that has Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi range can be vast depending on the model and how open the space is. The router and printer can be placed further apart while all other computers can still connect to it just fine. Some models may not even need a router as long as other computers are equipped with Wi-Fi cards or dongles. These computers can be connected to the printer directly to remotely initiate tasks.

Since networked printers are directly connected to a router, the router assigns the printer its own IP address so they become a part of the network. Anyone that has basic networking knowledge in their favourite operating system should have no problems in printing their first test page and proceeding to do other tasks. Most printers that have network capabilities are often multifunction devices as most businesses depend on them. However, home networks are becoming more popular as well since netbooks are on the rise so there are some entry-level models that can connect wired or wirelessly too.

Author Bio: Vincent Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For a wide range of printers and products by brand, he recommends Printware Ltd, a leading provider of the Brother HL 4050.

Category: Computers and Technology
Keywords: Printers, Network Printer, Home Office