Customer Reviews

HP Wireless G Print Server

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Before you buy - please read this from HP support

Thank you for contacting HP Total Care.

I understand that you are experiencing an issue with the HP 2101nw Wireless G Print Server. You would like to know if the driver is available for the operating system Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64.

At the outset, I apologize for all the inconvenience this matter might have caused you.

I greatly appreciate that you have forwarded your concern and have given me a chance to assist you with this matter.

Scott, I regret to inform you that the HP 2101nw Wireless G Print Server is not compatible with Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64 operating system.

Scott, please accept my apologies for the difficulties you encountered with your technical issues. I assure you that your situation is not indicative of the quality service HP is capable of providing. I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to share your experience with us.

If you have any additional query, please feel free to let us know. We will do our best to assist you.

For information on keeping your HP and Compaq products up and running, please visit our Web site
at: [...]

Sincerely,

Xavier

HP Total Care

This would have been a five star review except the installation instructions were ridiculously bad. But otherwise I am very happy with this item. It is the size of a deck of cards and got rid of my cables, which I was tired of tripping over!

I currently have a Vista laptop (which connects wirelessly to the network), an (ancient) XP desktop (which connects with a cable), and a Mac OS 9 (which connects both ways) printing seamlessly to an HP Laser 3015 All in One. The server figures out which computer to listen to, even if they are all on and all "connected"; so I don't have to do anything except "print".

Two quirks to mention: I can't seem to get the manual 2-sided printing capability to work via the server; and once when I printed from the Mac and then tried to print from the XP, all I got were smiley faces. I turned the printer off and back on and this problem has not happened again.

This product is perfect for HP all in one printers. Very easy to install and use. No regrets.

one user said that you HAVE to buy the wireless G print server if you want to print wirelessly over an existing network. this is actually misinformation. several documents and faqs from HP state that you can use your existing network with the upgrade kit, just as you can with the wireless G print server.

this link explains it in plain english.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01155473&lc=en&dlc=&cc=us&product=3200077

the only difference between the two is that with the upgrade kit, you can print wireless with one computer if you don't have a network, or wirelessly on your network with 802.11g

wireless G print server only allows you to print using a network, which is why the retail price is slightly lower than the upgrade kit.

so don't be mistaken, both devices from HP allow you to print over your network.

After I received the product, I tried to install the print server in my Toshiba Satellite Windows7 (64bit), but failed.
The installer did not recognize the print server connected with the short black micro USB cable.
However I succeeded to install by the following procedure.
1)When failed after plugging in the print server with the short black USB cable, leave the installer window and go to "Devices and Printers" in Control Panel.
2)Find an icon for the print server.
3)Right click on the print server and go into its Properties and Update Driver.
4)Browse the installation CD and install 64bit driver which is under CD:/res/X64drv/.
5)Then the "Next" box will be appeared at the installer window of 1).
6)Continue to install.

Good Luck!!

I bought the HP Wireless G USB print server to connect my old HP 3200 multifunction printer -- which I use mainly for simple b&w printing -- to a three-computer home network.

I expected that I was buying a regular print server (and was looking forward to it working flawlessly, being from HP). By "print server" I mean a piece of hardware containing the software needed to receive print jobs from the different computers, store them in memory, and send them to the printer to print.

That's NOT what this is! Yes, there's a piece of hardwear that you connect to your printer -- but all the software resides on the computers, and that software has to communicate with the other computers before a job will print.

In my case, this arrangement doesn't work right. Once one computer has printed, the server locks out all other computers, and the only way to print from any other computer is to unplug/reboot the server itself. Most of the time, in fact, once you've printed a doc -- or simply if enough time has gone by -- you have to reboot the server to print another job even from the same computer. So when I want to print, I reach under my desk, unplug the server, replug the server, wait, then hit print. When my wife (downstairs) wants to print, she yells up, "unplug the server!" and I do so.

I've troubleshot, uninstalled, reinstalled, etc. and it's always the same. It seems like most reviewers here love this server; good for them. But The Google reveals that some fraction of people have this problem. IMHO, this is the worst piece of junk I've ever bought for my computer -- I won't even injure someone else by trying to sell it on eBay, but will just throw it away. HP should be embarrassed that this is the only printer server they sell nowadays. Don't buy it.

I bought this unit today at Office Depot for $29.95 and wondering if it would work with a non-HP printer. The tech rep said I could return it for a full refund if it didn't work, so I said, what the heck, I have nothing to lose but a little time. It took me about 20 minutes to install the software on my laptop and this works like a charm with my Samsung ML-2510 laser printer. I can access it from all 4 computers on my home network without a problem. I tested it with my EPSON R300 photo printer ant it works great with that also. The price I paid for this GREAT unit was a steal......