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 LG asks: We were hoping to purchase a new printer. I think we would like a user friendly color printer that also has a scanner and a copier (that is all probably standard these days, I imagine). We would like to have it work with our two wired computers and our 3 laptops also. Our printers get used a lot as we have three kids and J and I do a large amount of work printing at home as well. Finally, if there is somewhere you would recommend we purchase this printer, we would love to hear about that too!
I get this query a lot so I'm re-printing my response below. I'm sure enough of my readers will find it useful somewhere along the line.
The ideal location for a printer for everybody to use is on the network. To get a printer on the network, you need to either have one with a built in Network adapter AND it needs to be placed near the router, or near a wired computer (where a switch will let it share that network connection), or at a pre-wired RJ45 connector (wall plate) that routes back to the router OR one with a wireless adapter built into the printer and within connective range of the (existing or purchased) wireless router.
In the instance of a wireless printer, it functions in the same manner as any wireless device, connecting back to the router wirelessly and then being available to everybody on your network. In either case, wired or wireless, the cost added to the printer for this connection is minimal these days.
My preference is wired printing, if only because when you're having trouble printing and the printer is wireless, there are more items to check and diagnose.
Having said that, If you do decide to go for a wireless printer get one with a graphical display on the printer panel which you can use to check and modify network connectivity directly from the printer panel. Otherwise, you might have to connect the printer to a computer via a USB cable to check connection issues.
Staples, on any given Sunday, puts a multitude of these printers on sale, from HP, Canon and Brother. All printers follow a " Razor and Blade" sales campaign wherein they give you the printer for a song and get you on endless years of ink cartridge purchases. Buy only printers with separate cartridges for the three primary colors and black. The more you pay, the faster the printer will print.
The HP 6500 comes in wired and wireless models and represents a middle of the road machine with separate cartridges for each color. It will be available on and off on sale if not every week, then every other. Search Amazon and HP for online discounts and of course Staples to pick it up yourself. Click on the sample link below.
BTW, Staples has a "price matching" policy and will match local vendors as well as their own and other reputable websites.
HP 6500 Specs Here!
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