A wireless printer employs a wireless network connection to produce prints from different devices. This allows you to send the documents to be printed to the printer from smartphones, computers, and tablets without connecting them to these devices via cables. A wireless printer is also known as a Wi-Fi printer as it uses a wireless network to receive communications.
Advancement in printing technology has yielded a diversified and enormous number of printers with several different features, thus making printing more engaging and easier than it has ever been before. Initially, wired printers were used for different printing purposes, that needed to be connected to our computers through wires. Although they are still used by many of us but are rapidly being replaced by wireless printers that do not need any wire to be connected to our computer’s laptops, or other compatible devices.
The Following Are The Advantages Of Using A Wireless Printer That You Need To Know.
1. Mobility
A wireless printer offers you to work on the go. it can be beneficial for many of the people associated with several different sectors. Businesses having a mobile workforce, like the staff members in an inspection team can print receipts, records, and findings wherever they need instead of waiting to return to their offices.
2. Accessibility
A wireless printer can operate seamlessly rather than connecting to a company server to download drives. With IOS as well as android technology, a wireless printer eliminates the need for a Wi-Fi network thus enabling workers to print wherever they need.
3. Multifunctionality
Based on the requirement of your business, you can use a printer for multiple purposes. Thermal technology allows printers to connect to any compatible device and produce tickets, high-quality labels, and bar codes. For example, retail managers can use their mini printers not only for receipt printing, but they can also use them to produce sale discount tickets.
4. Convenience
Several space-saving solutions are offered by printers for improved printing. A modern printer allows multiple people to get connected to a single device. You don’t need to stock a modern printer with pre-printed tickets, so it allows the workers to print on demand thus decreasing the potential for unnecessary surplus.
5. Cost-effectiveness
A wireless printer combined with an mPOS system is as advantageous to small retailers as it is to a well-known brand. A modest investment in a mobile printer and a payment system enables a business owner to take card payments wherever he wants to set up any business.
Disadvantages Of Sharing Printers.
The following are the disadvantages of printer sharing.
Inefficient Energy Consumption
To share a printer over a network, the computer and the printer should be powered on. Leaving a computer powered on just for a printer to work, consumes a significant amount of power inefficiently. But some devices like wireless print servers consume far less energy than a computer, as they are designed to lower power consumption while waiting for the accomplishment of the print jobs.
Difficult Installation
If you want to install a shared printer on your computer, you need to install the drivers for the shared printer. These drivers are available on the manufacturer’s website. However, you need to know the exact model of your printer which may be difficult to determine. You may not be able to install the printer successfully without assistance if you are an average user.
Distraction From Productivity
your job satisfaction and productivity can be decreased if you share a printer and it is heavily used because tending to the shared printer often becomes a distraction that takes an increasing amount of time. The printer frequently needs paper added and also runs out of toner or ink. Frequent paper jams also become a headache.
Hijacking
Others hijack your printer and can waste paper and ink by printing useless content. Thus, your work is disturbed to a great extent in this way.
Wireless Vs. Wired Printers.
| Wireless printer | Wired printer |
|---|---|
| A wireless printer is a network printer that does not need a wire to connect your computer. | A wired printer needs a wire to connect to your computer. |
| A wireless printer is a bit difficult to install and you need to install driver software on your computer to have access to the printer. | A wired printer is easy to install and enables your PC to detect and install drivers needed for the printer, automatically. |
| Wireless printing is usually more convenient as you don’t need any cable to connect it to any compatible device. | A wired printing is less convenient as you need a cable to connect it to any device. |
| A wireless printer is less reliable. | A wired printer is more reliable. |
Do I Need A Wireless Printer?
A wireless printer can work great in a home or office setting. But it is not always necessary. If you often need to connect your laptop, phone, tablet, and camera to the printer, then a wireless printer would be the best option. Also, if you need to print files when your printer is not in your access you can buy a wireless printer that remains connected to your Wi-Fi network and you can send files to the printer’s email address that produces a print of the file sent in this way. For seldom printing jobs a wired printer can perform very well.
Do Wireless Printers Work With All Computers?
Wireless printers can be connected to computers wirelessly in two different ways. Firstly, they can be connected through Bluetooth, and the second option is to connect them through Wi-Fi networks. If you don’t have a Bluetooth-compatible computer and also a wireless router is not available, you can connect your printer to your computer via a USB connection.
Also Read:
Best Wireless Printer For Home Use
Some printers that can perform very well at home, are enlisted below.
- Canon Pixma TR8550 wireless printer.
- Brother MFC-J5330DW wireless printer.
- HP LaserJet Pro MFP M227fdw wireless printer.
- Oki C844dnw wireless printer.
- Canon Pixma TS6250 wireless printer.
- Epson WorkForce WF-7210DTW wireless printer.
- Brother MFC-L8690CDW wireless printer.
- HP LaserJet Pro M15w wireless printer.
Why Is It A Good Idea To Connect A Printer To A Network?
A network printer facilitates the employees who work from remote locations and need to print. They can send documents to the printer from anywhere using the Internet if the printer is connected to the network.
Conclusion:
Based on connectivity two different printer types are available in markets so far that are, a wired printer and a wireless printer. Each printer type has some associated pros and cons, so choosing a suitable type depends mainly on your requirements. A wireless printer offers you to work remotely every time you need it and allows multiple computers to connect to it.
On the other hand, it also has some drawbacks for example you may have to face some difficulty while connecting your wireless printer to your computer. Similarly, you need to download and install drivers that enable it to connect to your computer. Here we have mainly focused on wireless printers and have provided you the basic knowledge that you need to have to make a reasonable selection.
