Networking USB printers

Yesterday I got tired of moving USB cables around when I wanted to print. Now you have to understand that my home office has both my laptop and my main desktop on 2 different sides of the room (we will not go on about how the test center in the basement is setup! LOL). So I had run USB cables from both computers to the printers (HP6110 and HP335) so that I could just switch cables as needed. Well, yesterday my neighbors girls were over to use the internet (PBSKids.org) and of course they have to print out what they make. So I was running back and forth to move the printer around. "There has got to be a better way" says I.

So I did some research and came up with a nifty little device - a Belkin Network USB Hub. Now I am partial to Belkin having had good luck with their devices, so I did some research on Google Groups and did not read anything too bad about using this type of hub.

Down to Circuit City I go (need to price laptops anyway) and pick up the hub. I had ordered it over the internet and they had it waiting for me at the desk. After talking to one of the clerks, I always ask about returns or problems. I picked up my new toy and came home.

Let me tell you this was one of the easiest installs I have done. No problems from either Vista or XP. I had expected some issues with Vista security but the program must have taken care of all that. I now have 2 printers that automatically switch from desktop to laptop as needed and my external HD that connects to both as needed for backups.

A sweet deal!