OT: What the difference between a "wireless ready printer" and a "wireless ready"

[CL82]

Does a wireless on work out of the box with your computer or do both have to be connected to a network?

My son left his at home and I'm buying one and shipping to him. I want to get the right one. Any suggestions?

 

[August_West]

Does a wireless on work out of the box with your computer or do both have to be connected to a network? My son left his at home and I'm buying one and shipping to him. I want to get the right one. Any suggestions?

Both connected to network

 

[jleves]

Your title is confusing - it says the same thing. I think you are actually asking what is the difference between a wireless ready printer and a wireless printer. Basically I think you're looking at some really old terminology (or terminology that's been around for a long time). Originally personal printers were typically connected to a single PC via a parallel or usb cable. At some point around 10 or so years ago, it became pretty common for printers to have an ethernet (network) port and then a wireless network capability. Today it would be hard to find a printer that was only attached via a USB cable. Most everything you can get has wireless networking built in. As long as it says wireless, it can be connected to your personal network assuming you have a wireless router. They can still be connected directly via USB.

So in summary: A network ready printer has an ethernet port you can plug into your router/hub/switch. A wireless printer probably still has an ethernet port or can be connected wirelessly if you have a wireless router.

Hope that helped.

 

[Strummer]

What the difference between a "wireless ready printer" and a "wireless ready"

Ahhh. Almost had me. This is a trick question that would lead one to the answers already given - that is, no difference.
Actual answer - the second one doesn't come with the printer included.

 

[Strummer]

Seriously though, this thread is awesome.
Guy 1, infected with Chapivaug Virus, posts bizarre title question followed by unclear message.
Guy 2, reflexively, almost, posts a very terse answer that doesn't quite answer any question.
Guy 3 goes into a lengthy dialog about differences between printers, but doesn't answer the question.
Guy 4 is a like hog and comes in and posts some useless crap to try to be funny.

The question appears to be - "will the printers work right out of the box with my computer without a network"?
Answer - look for "usb" designation on printer. If it says USB, then, assuming it comes with a cord or you have a cord, and assuming the computer has a USB port, then NO NETWORK IS NEEDED, and the computer can print directly to the printer.

All the printers I have purchased in the last 10 years had the USB port option, with no network needed.

Let me know I was right, brother!

 

[CL82]

Your title is confusing - it says the same thing. I think you are actually asking what is the difference between a wireless ready printer and a wireless printer. Basically I think you're looking at some really old terminology (or terminology that's been around for a long time). Originally personal printers were typically connected to a single PC via a parallel or usb cable. At some point around 10 or so years ago, it became pretty common for printers to have an ethernet (network) port and then a wireless network capability. Today it would be hard to find a printer that was only attached via a USB cable. Most everything you can get has wireless networking built in. As long as it says wireless, it can be connected to your personal network assuming you have a wireless router. They can still be connected directly via USB.

So in summary: A network ready printer has an ethernet port you can plug into your router/hub/switch. A wireless printer probably still has an ethernet port or can be connected wirelessly if you have a wireless router.

Hope that helped.

Oops, sorry about the title and thanks for the answer. Since he doesn't have a router in his room, it seems like either would have a hard connection to PC. Thanks, your answer was helpful.

Ahhh. Almost had me. This is a trick question that would lead one to the answers already given - that is, no difference.
Actual answer - the second one doesn't come with the printer included.

Typical Strummer answer: 1 part douchy, 1 part balloon knot-ish and one part...well that pretty much it, wasn't it. I guess two out of three isn't bad.

 

[Strummer]

Oops, sorry about the title and thanks for the answer. Since he doesn't have a router in his room, it seems like either would have a hard connection to PC. Thanks, your answer was helpful.


Typical Strummer answer: 1 part douchy, 1 part balloon knot-ish and one part...well that pretty much it, wasn't it. I guess two out of three isn't bad.

Yeah, but did you see my follow up answer - hilarity and insight in one, and I answered your question!

 

[Kitaman]

Today it would be hard to find a printer that was only attached via a USB cable.

Ouch, but I still ain't buying a new one to print only 5 pages a month.