HP Wireless G Print Server

by HP

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6.7 x 3.5 inches ; 1.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001B15S5E
• Item model number: WIRELESS G
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #72 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Networking Products > Print Servers
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 15, 2005

Product Description

Item #: R85799. Upgrade your printer to wireless printing with the Wireless G Print Server. It works with most HP printers/All-in-Ones and any wireless PC. Product Description: HP Wireless G Print Server - print server
Device Type: Print server
Form Factor: External
Interface (Bus) Type: USB
Data Link Protocol: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year warranty
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you have an HP Printer and a wireless network, this is the print server to get!, October 14, 2008

By 

Claudine Govier "Lady Iris" (Wellington, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: HP Wireless G Print Server (Personal Computers)

The HP Wireless G Print Server is the one to get if you already have a wireless network and an HP printer. It comes with everything you need to set up the server (cable, directions, driver/software CD) . The "HP Wireless printing Upgrade kit" is really for those you do not have a wireless network and only one computer. The Upgrade Kit requires the computer on which it is installed to be on to use the printer on any other computer. The HP Wireless G Print Server will allow you to print from any computer on your network, not requiring any particular computer to be on.

If you have more than one computer but don't have a wireless network, the best setup is to get a wireless router and set up the wireless network (it is easy nowadays.) This way you can print from any computer using the HP Wireless G Print Server without turning on a "host" computer.

I have been using the HP Wireless G Print Server for a month now and it works faultlessly. I did have an issue with my HP D5460 printer sending back the ink levels. I uninstalled the print server and then reinstalled it and it works fine now. The directions were unclear on the order of installation of a printer and the print server. Here is the best way to install:

First install the printer on each computer.
Disconnect the printer from all computers.
Install the print server on each computer, following the installation instructions for connecting the printer to the server.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Good Design; Poor Performance; Terrible Support, January 31, 2009

By 

John Miller - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HP Wireless G Print Server (Personal Computers)

Strengths: small & unobtrusive; good design specifications; relatively easy setup.

Weaknesses: claimed to only support very few HP printers (but others are, in fact, supported); only operates in 802.11b mode (although claimed to be an 802.11g-only device); frequently loses connectivity requiring power-down restart; incredibly poor technical support.

Summary: After several calls and many hours (literally) with over a dozen (again, literally) incompetent HP support technicians, I finally achieved agreement that the print server is malfunctioning (won't connect to an 802.11g network and requires frequent restarts to reconnect in 802.11b mode). Despite this, HP refused to replace it since it is connected to a printer (an HP CP2025dn) that is not on their limited (and incorrect) compatibility list. (It is noteworthy that the connected printer has no effect whatever on the performance issues with the print server.)

This has been quite an enlightening experience: not only would I strongly recommend against buying this print server, but my long-standing brand loyalty for HP peripherals has ended. It's apparent to me now that HP does not stand behind its products, and that HP's technical support would be similarly atrocious in other instances.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HP Wireless G Print Server vs. HP Printing Upgrade Kit - Wireless G Print Server Wins!, December 15, 2008

By 

X. Wons (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: HP Wireless G Print Server (Personal Computers)

I have tested both the HP Wireless Printing Upgrade Kit and the HP Wireless G Print Server using the HP LaserJet P1006 and hope this review will end some of the confusion. First off, there is an option to print using the HP Wireless G Print Server without needing a router (just using the device). I have contacted customer support at HP and they do not understand themselves what is the advantage/disadvantage of the two products. The only thing we could conclude was that both can be used to print. I'll take it a step further and tell you what worked and didn't work for me.

The HP Printing Upgrade Kit requires the USB dongle it comes with to install and modify advanced settings, the Wireless G Print Server requires a USB cable. The disadvantage is the USB dongle because it gets dangerously hot when in use. In fairness to the Printing Upgrade Kit, you only need to use the dongle when making changes and installing. Once the software is set up, you can remove the dongle and toss it aside. However, I think the dongle is a hazard because it gets too hot to touch. I also noticed the signal strength is not as strong without the dongle connected which is odd considering I had it set up to go through my wireless router.

Amazon is selling the HP Printing Upgrade Kit for $39.00 and the Wireless G Print Server for $49.00 right now, so the price is actually cheaper for the HP Printing Upgrade Kit. MSRP for the Upgrade Kit is $99.99 and the Wireless G Print Server is $79.99. You would think the more expensive product is the better one, but in my opinion it is the opposite here. Even the packaging of the Wireless G Print Server (comes in a nice box) is better than the Printing Upgrade Kit (cheap plastic sealed display requiring scissors to cut open).

The Wireless G Print Server works with both Windows and Mac operating systems, the Printing Upgrade Kit only supports Windows. This could change with future software upgrades, but right now only the Wireless G Print Server works with both if that is important to you.

I have noticed one other great advantage with the Wireless G Print Server, and that is bi-directional support. It does not work with the HP Printing Upgrade Kit, but (at least for my HP LaserJet P1006) it DOES work. For those that own this printer, that means you don't have to open and close the lid in order to get a manual feed operation to work. Bi-direction communication is not available (right now) with the current firmware and software that is distributed with the Printing Upgrade Kit.

I originally had thought getting the HP Printing Upgrade Kit would be the better choice (also because HP set the MSRP for that one slightly higher than the Wireless G Print Server) but I have determined it to be wrong. The HP Printing Upgrade Kit offers no advantage over the Wireless G Print Server and also is more difficult for the novice computer user to set up with their network (read the many reviews on the Printing Upgrade Kit). I thought the Printing Upgrade Kit would have been a challenge for me to install, but truthfully it is very easy if you follow the clear directions given. Still, the Wireless G Print Server is almost fool-proof to set up and install on both a Windows or Mac computer.

I had tried both of these products and feel confident saying the HP Printing Upgrade Kit is more of a hassle and headache than a pleasure to use. I cannot say if this product is the best choice for other printers or for everyone's needs, but if you want bi-directional support then this is the product to get.