Wireless USB Print Server Review: The Linksys PPS1UW
The Linksys PPS1UW
Wireless USB Print Server
First things first lets get one thing straight about the Linksys PPS1UW - On its own its just a wireless ready USB print server with a standard 10/100MB ethernet network port and a single USB port to connect your color laser printer to. On its own an expensive buy for $70 but the Linksys doesn't have a PCMCIA card slot for nothing...
You'll need a Linksys WPC11 Wireless Network Card...
You'll have to purchase an additional Linksys WPC11 Instant Wireless Network Card to get the print server wireless and it has to be a certain version of the WPC11.
Why Linksys don't bundle the two together is beyond me but the price is only $40 on top of the print server so for about $110 you get USB wireless printing - Cheaper than other USB wireless print servers on the market.
Linksys WPC11
Instant Wireless Network Card
Don't Buy the WPC11 v4!!!
Note that the Linksys PPS1UW Wireless USB Print Server will only work with WPC11 Version 3 wireless network card and not with the WPC11 V4. Make sure you get the right combination of print server and instant wireless network card or the wireless functions will not work.
So what do you get for your $110? - A pretty decent 10/100MB cable networked USB print server for starters. Linksys use the rj45 network port as an umbilical cord - After attaching the printserver to your network you use your web browser to configure the wireless network settings then disconnect the network cable to enter wireless mode.
The Linksys PPS1UW
Wireless USB Print Server Rear View
Showing USB, Network Port
Reset Switch and Power
A Simple Wireless USB Print Server Install
The PPS1UW installs with ease though you might have to power the print server OFF and ON after unplugging the network cable - The manual fails to mention this. A quick check of technical forums reveal a lot of people who've had problems with the installation so make sure you read the manual and online documentation closely - There are a few traps for the unwary. A little bit of TCP/IP networking knowledge goes a long way here. All in all the install shouldn't take more than 30 minutes. If you strike any troubles check the wireless usb print server troubleshooting guide at the end of this article. So you've managed to get the PPS1UW installed. What do you get for your money?
Linksys PPS1UW Etherfast
Wireless USB Print Server Specifications :
- Cost : $110 in total. $70 / PPS1UW Wireless ready USB Print Server + $40 / WPC11v3 Wireless Network Card
- Model number : PPS1UW
- Size : 4.72” x 3.74” x .98” (120mm x 95mm x 25mm)
- Wireless Protocols : 802.11b
- Security : 160bit WEP encryption
- Best Wireless Data Rate : 11Mbps (auto-detect)
- OS : Windows 85,98,NT 4, 2000, Me & XP
- Printer interface : USB Port
- Additional Ports : 10/100MB RJ45 Network Port (full duplex), PCMCIA II card slot
160bit WEP Encryption
The wireless range provided by the WPC11 is better than average and the WPC11 supports 160bit WEP encryption making your data more secure than with other wireless print servers. The PPS1UW and WPC11 kept up with all the print jobs we threw at it without missing a beat. 256 kilobytes of print buffer memory doesn't sound a lot but is more than enough for the usb printers its going to send print jobs to.
Most popular usb laser printers are supported but Linksys haven't released any official compatibility information. Many people have reported problems with older brother and Epson usb printers so best check with Linksys before you hand over your $110.
The Cheapest Wireless 802.11b USB Print Server
The price is the best on the market at the moment. Only the TRENDnet TEW-PS1U wireless USB print server comes close - also $110 or $130 without a US only rebate offer. Most other USB wireless printservers start at around the $150 mark.
Having the Print Server and Wireless card as separate components is a bonus, if a wireless network card is required you can easily drop the print server back onto its rj45 network cable and free the WPC11 network card up. The flexibility offered makes the PPS1UW ideal for a small office or home wireless network.
Linksys PPS1UW Wireless USB Print Server Review Conclusion
The cheapest USB Wireless Print Server on the market today with good performance and an easy installation if you do your homework and read the instructions thoroughly. Flexible components give you an emergency wireless network card if needs be but only the WPC11v3 wireless pcmcia card is supported so no future upgrades are possible.
Question marks about printer compatibility and the one year warranty are the only bad points of the PPS1UW Wireless USB Print Server - Other Wireless USB print server manufacturers are offering two and three year warranties but Linksys are a reliable manufacturer so its unlikely that you'll need the warranty at all.
If you want your USB laser printer wireless avoid the more expensive wireless usb printers from DLINK and Hewlett and buy the PPS1UW, you won't regret it.
Linksys PPS1UW Wireless USB Print Server Resources
- Linksys Wireless Service and Support Page : Check for driver updates and support information here.
- PPS1UW Installation Guide : Read this carefully before attempting to install, especially the section on DHCP / Static IP address assignment.
- Wireless Networking Standards from Linksys : A well presented summary of the different Wireless networking standards and the benefits of each.
- A handy installation guide from the Linksys site. : Windows 95 quick installation document (pdf)
- Wireless network security Primer : A must read from the Linksys site.