I have an old Brother laser printer that’s been doing fine and doesn’t need to be replaced, but it only supports USB. Is there a device besides an old computer/laptop that would make it a shared wireless printer that supports windows machines well? I’m pretty sure i could come up with something myself, but i would prefer an off-the-shelf solution that handles updates and bugs without needing any attention from me.

Edit: Raspberry Pi 5 ordered!

  • BearOfaTime@lemm.ee
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    4 months ago

    You could try setting up a cheap Raspberry Pi with the print service (I forget what it’s called). Even a Pi Zero W would work, just need a USB cable to the printer.

    I’ve found USB print servers to be rather pricey, since they aren’t used much any more. At least spending money on a Pi would give you something you could do a lot more with.

    • tal@lemmy.today
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      4 months ago

      USB print servers to be rather pricey,

      I mean, on Amazon, they look to be $25 and up. I guess “pricey” is relative, but that doesn’t seem all that bad.

      I don’t know that they’d be less effort to maintain than a laptop or whatever, though, which OP was concerned about. I mean, you might or might not update your laptop, but I’m dubious that an all-in-one print server is gonna be getting updates at all.

      • BearOfaTime@lemm.ee
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        4 months ago

        Oh, wow, last I looked they were a lot more than that.

        Plus when I looked a Pi wasn’t $50+.

        I’d probably just get the print server today at that price.

    • Brkdncr@lemmy.worldOP
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      4 months ago

      I’ve never used a Pi before so I may end up using it for other things. The cost isn’t really the issue, it’s the idea of throwing out a perfectly working printer just to get network support.

  • rufus@discuss.tchncs.de
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    4 months ago

    I’d pick the Raspberry Pi if you can do the install. Furthermore maybe your internet router can do it. I think it’s possible with some Fritzbox models or ones that run OpenWRT. Or you pay the price for one of those dedicated adapters. I don’t know if the drivers for those are more or less haste than using a Raspberry Pi.

  • CouncilOfFriends@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    As others have already mentioned the better method of connecting to a router, I’ll also mention if it’s located by a Windows machine you can share the printer from the printer properties window. One other option is buying a wireless adapter for the printer itself. I have fixed old printers which used the wireless adapters and I assume they worked for a long time but were a massive pain to troubleshoot as the user manuals/drivers/documentation could no longer be found online.