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View Full Version : Should I buy AirPort Express?

roblyh
2007-10-25, 00:34
Hi, I'm under confusion whether or not to buy Airport Express for our company. Basically, recently we bought a new Brother MFC-9440CN color laser and we have 2 macs and 4 PCs. All our computers are connected to the internet wirelessly through a Belkin Pre-N router. Since this new printer doesn't have wireless, should we buy Airport Express to work as the print server? Or do you have any suggestion of other print server for our situation?
Kickaha
2007-10-25, 00:36
Any reason why you can't hook the printer directly into the router? Or does the printer not contain its own internal print queue?
roblyh
2007-10-25, 00:44
The problem is the setup of the office is bad. The router is placed in the off corner away from the offices.
Mugge
2007-10-25, 03:24
I found this Linksys via Google (http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1114037289494&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper). But the AP Express might be the better choice because Bonjour would make it easier to set up and Bonjour is also available for Windows.
Kickaha
2007-10-25, 09:19
The problem is the setup of the office is bad. The router is placed in the off corner away from the offices.

Get yerself a 100' 10bT cable, and... ;)
torifile
2007-10-25, 09:21
Or you could connect it to one of your Macs and turn on printer sharing. That's what I do with our non-networkable printer.
roblyh
2007-10-25, 12:28
Hmm, since many of you reply that it is better off connect the printer to one of our macs; is there any problem to make it wireless with the Airport Express? Or is it the problem with the Airport Express itself?
Mugge
2007-10-25, 12:39
Nothing wrong with the AP Express. They are just suggesting a way to save a few bucks.
Kickaha
2007-10-25, 12:39
I think it's just that we're cheap. :) Since it has its own networking queue, hooking it into the AirPort Express should be just as good as hooking it into any other port on the LAN. You don't need to insert a host computer into the mix.
Bryson
2007-10-25, 12:44
Will the Express (being b/g only) slow down his pre-N network? Or did I imagine that? If so, would he be better off with an Extreme?
roblyh
2007-10-25, 13:07
They are just suggesting a way to save a few bucks.

Definitely, I would love to save some money ;) but it is my boss' decision to spend those money.