Printer for Home Office

[Hokie]

I am trying to select a printer for my home office. I need a printer that has both a USB port and an ethernet port so I can hook it directly to my network. My company laptop has firewall software that keeps me from doing anything on my home network except getting to the internet. I cannot see the other computers or printers. So I figured I could hook my laptop directly to the USB port and print from the others through the Ethernet port. Can you do that or do you have to turn one of the ports off?

I am debating between a B&W laser and a color laser. The B&W run around $150 and the color ones are around $350. Anyone have a recommendation on these? I understnd the cartridge costs can vary quite a bit so you cannot just look at the initial price.

[trotsky]

1. I swear by HP printers.

They've had the fewest problems, from my experience. Yes, they tend to cost more, but I think they're worth it.

Using network & USB will not be a problem. For built-in network support on an HP, look for "N" at the end of the model number. (E.g., LaserJet 4050N) Any newer printer will also have a USB port that you can hook up your laptop to, and the printer will accept jobs from either port.

[Longhorn]

3. I, on the other hand, will never buy another HP printer.

The fact that my Photosmart printer quit working after 18 months of minimal use is one thing. That can happen to any printer. (The printer kept giving a "paper jam" error message but there was no jam.) What upset me is that they would not allow the printer to be fixed -- that is, when I took it to Best Buy (and paid their minimum $25 fee) all Best Buy could do was send it back because when they contacted HP, they refused to sell the parts or even the schematic. I also tried to get parts and/or repair info from HP and they refused. All they offered to do was sell me a reconditioned printer for $450 -- which is the same that I paid for my printer new -- and the newer Photosmart printers were selling for at least $100 less! So my HP printer was basically disposable.

Next time, I bought a Canon.

[welshTerrier2]

2. read this ...

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-7604_7-1016838-1.html?tag=dir.prntbg

and this: http://www.epinions.com/Printers