this post was submitted on 16 Jun 2024
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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!

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[–] [email protected] 21 points 5 months ago (2 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 5 months ago

CUPS is probably the print server you're thinking of.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 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.