NETGEAR PS121 USB 2.0 Mini Print Server
by Netgear
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of NETGEAR PS121 USB 2.0 Mini Print Server
Customer Review: Not Compatible With All Printers
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased a mini print server because I wanted to use my laptop in one room and print from another, and I chose this particular model because I have a Netgear router and the manual for that router suggested the Netgear USB Mini Print Server (PS121). I consider myself moderately computer-savvy. The directions were clear, and I was able to install the software with no trouble. However, the print server did not work--- no test page would print. After much research on the Internet, using Google to find various forums, including a Netgear forum, I discovered that the Netgear USB Mini Print Server (PS121) is not compatible with all-in-one printers. A moderator on the Netgear forum stated that a person could use the Netgear USB Mini Print Server (PS121) with all-in-one printers by downloading printer-only drivers. It boiled down to (I guess) 1) choosing to use all three functions of my printer (printer, copier, scanner), but having to carry my laptop into the room with the printer, 2) only using the print function and being able to print from another room, or 3) buying a new printer that was compatible with the Netgear USB Mini Print Server (PS121). I chose to return the Netgear USB Mini Print Server (PS121). I rated this item only one star because I could not use it and because it was not obvious before purchase that many printers are not compatible (not merely the all-in-ones, as I found out through my research). I am very happy with my Netgear router, but not with the Netgear USB Mini Print Server (PS121). I highly recommend that a potential buyer visit the compatibility list on the Netgear website to make sure that their printer is compatible before purchase of the Netgear USB Mini Print Server (PS121).Customer Review: The only USB print server I found that plays well with Vista x64 . But not with Windows 7 x64 :(
Summary: 3 Stars
I have a home network with several computers, running a variety of operating systems. My primary box runs Vista x64, with 8 GB of RAM and a Core 2 quad CPUs .
I was looking to network several printers, including the Canon Selphy ES2 compact photo printer, Canon Pixma iP3500, and Epson Stylus Photo R280 .
This was the 5th model of print server I tried - the previous 4 all proved to be incompatible with Vista x64 !
Using several print servers, I was able to network all my USB printers successfully, with clients under Vista x64, x86, and XP.
On the con side, the installation is very slow. I thought it was hung. No little installation program should take 10 minutes on a 4 x 2.4 GHz CPU. But it eventually works, if you have the patience - if you don't and interrupt it like I did, be sure to use system restore because your system will be pretty badly messed up otherwise.
If you try to print simultaneously to the same printer from multiple computers, errors can sometimes happen, resulting in lost print jobs. This can be dealt with in a home environment as you can make sure that doesn't happen. It would not be OK in an office environment. But for office use, you probably would want to buy a model with a built-in server, not this.
March 2010 update : I upgraded to Windows 7 x64 (fresh install). The print server software no longer works under it. There is no software update from Netgear. Unfortunately, it looks like this print server is unsupported at this point. I'm reducing my rating from 4 to 3 stars. Avoid if you are using Windows 7 x64.
Customer Review: WHO-EE: Canon 780 Wireless!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have a simple set-up at home: My wife has a desktop wired into our router, and I have a laptop that I operate wirelessly. We wanted to get an AIO and I really labored over the decision.
I've had HP before - top of the inkjet line - and after less than 2 years I had to throw it away. Because of the horizontal feed, the rollers wore and I was advised that it was cheaper to buy a new printer than fix the worn rollers. I've also had Canon and they are like the Excel bunny - they just keep running and running. They use a gravity feed, so there is less wear on the rollers. I also considered that for an HP 7310/7410, a black cartridge costs $30 for 21 ml, and a Canon 3E black cartridge is 27 ml and costs $14. You do the math.
So I bought the MP780 even though I needed wireless, because while half the buyers of the HP wireless AIO's raved, the other half said it was terrible. I don't like that kind of reaction to something I'm about to buy.
Several reviewers here at Amazon said you can set up the MP780 to print wirelessly if you use the Netgear 121 Print Server. Guys, thank you!, thank you!, thank you! for that information!!! It was invaluable. I bought the 121 and in less than 40 minutes I was all set and printing wirelessly. I expect I will need to use the desktop or else plug my laptop directly to the AIO to send faxes ad scan, but I can print wirelessly, which is the main thing.
Thank you Canon!! Thank you Netgear!!! Thank you to the other reviewers who said this combo would work!!!
Customer Review: Works Fine with HP LaserJet 1012 Printer
Summary: 5 Stars
I installed this print server into a wireless network supporting two computers - one running Windows 98 SE, and one running Windows XP Home Edition SP2. The only difficulty I had was when installing the printer port on the Windows 98 machine. It was no fault of Netgear. I kept getting an alert message that a specific .dll file could not be found. After a couple of hours trying to do a "work around," I finally figured out I could go to a website and download the .dll file which was missing from my operating system. Since then, everything has worked like a charm.
I should mention that I have disabled the Windows firewall on my XP machine and I'm running Norton firewall in it's place.
The PS121 works just fine with the HP LaserJet 1012 Printer. I was a little apprehensive at first because it is not listed on Netgear's web site in their list of compatible printers. I was delighted to discover it has no difficulties.
You will need an inexpensive RJ45M/RJ45M Patch Cable (Cat5e, or better) to connect the PS121 to a physical port on your router. The print server comes with a USB cable to connect it to your printer.
One last note: The firmware upgrade available on Netgear's web site actually consists of two files - the upgrade utility, and the binary file containing the new programming instructions. You need them both. The upgrade utility will ask for the binary file to send to the PS121.
Customer Review: Check out the compatible printer list before you buy!!!!
Summary: 1 Stars
First off, let me say that I am a Netgear fan. I've been using their products for years, and I've always had good things to say about them. However, the PS121 has been a disappointment. When I bought the item, I was under the impression that it worked with most, if not all USB printers. My mistake!!! Be sure to check out the compatible printers list on Netgear's website for the PS121. You'll find that suprisingly few USB printers actually work with this unit. Recommendation: If you have an HP printer that you want to network -- Get an HP JetDirect server -- I've gone with the 175X. Even then, you won't get everything that you want on a multifunction unit such as the OfficeJet G85 (i.e., print, scan, copy, fax) from a network. But, at least the thing will actually function with the print command. Otherwise, unless you have a printer on Netgear's verified compatibility list, pass this one by -- NOTE: I cannot verify that those printers on Netgear's compatibility list will do everything that the printer is capapble of doing while on a network. If I knew of such a device that would network all of these functions, I would recommend it. In most cases, don't expect more than simple printer communication -- forget the scan and fax functions. For me, however, the PS-121 is nothing more than a paperweight. The HP JetDirect 175X, as did my JetDirect 170 for print functions, works fine.
DJR