Airlink 101 Multi-Functional Print Server Review
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Update: After using this print server over the past few months, it has worked well but I do notice that it sometimes fails which forces me to restart the device when I try to print PDF files, typically the PDFs are about 300k or so and I notice that it either takes awhile or fails to print. A workaround for this is to print your PDF is sections, for instance, I just printed a 13 page PDF, I separated the print job into blocks of 4,8, and, 1. The single page I printed was the cover of the PDF with graphics on it. Note: This could also be due to my router which is a Linksys WRT54G, maybe there is a bottle neck in the router which is causing the issue.
I recently purchased an Airlink 101 Multi-Functional Print Server. I have an Epson Stylus CX7400, which is multi-functional with scan, copy, print so I figured it would be a good match.
The print server cost me $15 at Fry's on sale. On the box it said it works under Windows XP and Vista, but it did not mention how well it works in OS X as well.
It has a nice web interface you can use to configure it just like you would a router. You also need to install the configuration software onto a Windows PC once to get it initially going, but after that, you don't really need it unless you reset the print server ever.
Overall a great buy and I am very happy with it. So for any of you who are in the market for a cheap, reliable print server, the Airlink 101 Multi-Functional Print Server works great.
To install, the setup is simple, plug a Cat-5 cable into the print server and other end into your router. Plug a USB cable from your printer into the print server and plug the power on.
That's it!
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Dan you are right, after using this for close to a year now I have found that my Mac is the only computer it works reliably with, my PC running Vista has a spotty connection with it and I would give 5 stars myself, but after using for nearly a year, it needs a firmware update as you said, and maybe a beefier PS Link software to help determine errors when printing fails.
I`ve had this for over a year and it`s a love hate relationship. When it`s working, it`s great. But it does go nonresponsive and requires a reset/reboot. As my home admin, not a problem, but for my wife and kids - it is a problem. I`ve "solved" this by turning the server on/off with the printer - which happens daily (not because of the hang, because the printer is off when not in use). Never got around to disabling features I`m not using (UPnP, Mac Bonjour, 2nd USB port?) to see if that "fixed" the driver hang issue.
You do need the supplied PS-Link SW on the computer(s) you want to scan on. Otherwise, just set it up like any networked printer. I use it with Win2k, XP, Vista, and Ubuntu.
Yeah, for $10 there is a lot to like. Scanning over the network works. I`ve had no problems with large files: when it`s responding it works great. No ink level status, though :( Bottom line is I need my home network to be reliable and this isn`t so 3 stars from me. Could easily be 5 stars if they fixed the hang (which they won`t - no new firmware in years) or you don`t mind kicking it every now and then.
wow I didn`t know that, I run XP Pro, Vista, and OS X with this thing, and actually all of my accounts are admin accounts so I guess I never ran into this, good to know
I bought this at Fry`s for $9.99. I am using it with multiple PCs at home with Windows XP Home. It only works if your account have admin priviledge. If other users with `limited` account type, the software will crash.
I also sometimes have trouble printing large PDF files on my old Laserjet 5. I find it helps to flatten them before printing. I can bring the files sizes down significantly simply by saving them using a generic PDF print driver that I downloaded - often cutting the files to half their original size.
Testing new features