Three Computers But Only One Printer: Switching Between Question ?


  1. Posts : 301
    W7
       #1

    Three Computers But Only One Printer: Switching Between Question ?


    Hi,


    Would appreciate any thoughts on this, please:


    Have an iMac, and two additional W10 PC's in study.
    But, only 1 Printer.


    Presently have a mechanical push-button switch box to select which
    one is to do the printing.


    Push-Buttons very flaky and un-relaible.
    Also, the 3 input connectors are not a USB; it's some kind of square-isa geometry, which are very, very, wobbly
    and un reliable.


    Question: If I get one of those Powered (or un-powered ?) USB Hubs, would
    this enable me to switch the three computers to the single Printer ?


    What happens if all of their (3 or 4) pushbuttons are always selected to On ?


    Any thoughts on this would be most appreciated.


    Thanks, stay safe,
    Bob
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4,767
    Windows 10 preview 64-bit Home
       #2

    I've a lot of devices, including Apple devices, and all connect wirelessly to one printer. That may be the route to go?
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 2,662
    W10 Pro (desktop), W11 (laptop), W11Pro (tablet)
       #3

    To expand on what Fabler2 posted, you can network the computers and printer together via your router (either via cable or wifi or a combination of both) and then the printer can be used by any of the computers, no switching involved.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4,767
    Windows 10 preview 64-bit Home
       #4

    If it's a wireless printer just connect it to your wi-fi. Then your Windows machines can then 'see' it to connect to.
    Three Computers But Only One Printer:  Switching Between Question ?-screenshot_2.png

    With iPhones etc they just pick it up and print from it. Most probably iOS will also have an App available for the printer. Don't know about iMacs, though, too expensive for me
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 13,895
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #5

    A note about my setup, 5 Desktops connected to my 4-port Wireless Router with 8-port Switch via Ethernet cable, 2 NAS drives by cable and 2 Printers by cable, one LaserJet and one OfficeJet [inkjet] plus 2 or more Wireless/Wi-Fi Notebooks. Any computer I install the software on as a Network can use the printers, have different versions of Windows and Linux Mint, use to have a MacBook Pro from 2010 [until it died]. One thing about Win10, it's very good about picking up devices connected such as the printers for the basics as long as it is connected to the Internet.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 1,680
    X
       #6

    Robert: It would help if you specified what kind of printer you use.

    Some connect only via USB. Is that what you have?

    Or can it connect by other means?
    - Wireless network?
    - Wired network?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4,453
    Win 11 Pro 22000.708
       #7

    I wonder what interfaces the printer supports? "Square-ish" connectors? Sounds like USB-B, although the OP claims that USB isn't in use. RJ-45 (Ethernet)? The plug is squarish.

    I have two printers hardwired (Ethernet) to my wireless router. I have no difficulties accesing them from my 3 Win10 PCs, two of which are networked wirelessly. I don't use the wireless capabilities of the printers.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 13,895
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #8

    The RJ-45 plug and jack used with Ethernet cables is just a super-sized version of the telephone plug and jack, looks the same except for how big.
      My Computers


 

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