Netgear PS110 10/100 Print Server with 2 Parallel Ports Review

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(More customer reviews)The instructions don't mention Windows XP. The web site mentions it, barely, but wihhout instructions. I wasted an hour trying to do it myself, then an hour with tech support. Finally got it working, but only because I know about IP addresses, network configuration, etc. I imagine it would be easy to setup if they bothered to provide instructions for WIndows XP, and it may be easy with older versions of Windows. But XP users should stay away. And wonder why NetGear can't provide any attempt at instructions a year after XP's release.
Once I got it working, it works fine. The only hassle was setting it up.

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Netgear's PS-110 print server lets you share printers among all users on the network without complex configurations or having to dedicate a PC for printer serving. It connects directly to the network and can be placed anywhere for convenient access. With its built-in network hub, the Netgear PS110 provides connectivity solutions and file, print, and resource sharing. It can also connect two parallel printers, such as a color printer with a high-speed laser printer.
The Netgear PS110 attaches to a 10 or 100 Mbps hub or switch, providing seamless transition from Ethernet to Fast Ethernet. It has one speed-sensing 10/100 Mbps printer port and a pair of IEEE 1284 bidirectional parallel network ports. The extensive LED screen highlights all links and activities. The unit also provides simultaneous support for Unix, Windows, and NetWare clients. TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, and NetBEUI network protocols are supported as well.
FirstGear, a Windows-based configuration tool, enables simple installation. Flash EPROM lets you download upgrades as they become available.Netgear offers a five-year warranty on the print server, while the power adapter is covered for a year.

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D-Link DPR-1260 RangeBooster G Multifunction Print Server Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Okay. It isn't perfect. Installation isn't as easy as it should be. Instructions aren't as good as they should be. Some printers work with it, and apparently some don't.
But go look at the ratings on all the other print servers. You'll see the same problems. I tried at least three others, and couldn't get any of them to work. I've been able to successfully get this print server to work with an Epson R300 (USB 1.1), a Canon MP830 all-in-one(USB 2, print only), and even a Lexmark Optra T610 laser printer(parallel, with a USB-to-parallel adapter from Belkin).
Printer manufacturers have gone nuts with bi-directional information going back and forth between the printer and the computer. The result: really pretty printer drivers that give you loads of information and options, but depend on the printer being physically connected to the computer. But when you want to easily share that printer with a bunch of other people (especially a bunch of people with laptops), it's much more difficult. Either everybody has to swap cables, or you buy a print server--and give up the pretty driver screens that pop up to tell you to buy more ink.
The D-Link DPR-1260 is the only one I could find that actually listed compatible printers on the box. They say that they tested with 100 different printers. I believe it. Their competitors don't seem to have done nearly as much testing.
If you aren't comfortable setting up a wireless router on your own, or if you needed help installing your printer the first time, don't buy this. If you can figure out what the d-link is doing by setting ports on your printers to print to an IP address, give it a try.
If the market had some better entries, I probably wouldn't rate this with 5 stars. But it appears to me to be the cream of the crop.
Update (12/2007): We've had it for about a year, and we've had trouble a number of times. It repeatedly loses settings. If I could reduce the number of stars, I'd give it two or three.


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Wireless Print Server, 802.11g 4-USB 2.0 Ports, 108Mbps

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