Splitter for printer cables?

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Sam Graves

Sam Graves

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Jul 8, 2013
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(I think this is the right section...)

I have 1 home printer that I use with a desktop PC and a laptop.

When I printer from the desktop PC, I have the printer USB cable plugged in to the PC, but when I want to print from the laptop, I have to unplug the cable and plug it into the Apple Airport Express modem. For a simple home solution, can someone recommend a splitter or similar device that will allow me to stop fiddling with cables?


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Tom Tancredi
Did you try to look up the rare USB Printer Splitter on Google? Amazon? Ebay? I seen one around once or twice, but due to many technical issues this was NOT a option. The default 'normal' way is to either share the printer off the computer it is connected to OR as you have been doing sharing it via a network method (like your Apple Airport Express) for ALL computers (desktops and laptops). Usually you have a Router with Printer USB port, you plug the printer in and ALL computers sees it on the 'network' as a shared printer (like what you see in most business offices when you need to 'print' to the big printer).

Also I would surmise your desktop is a Windows OS, the laptop is a Mac? If so your going to run into issues both ways unless...
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2x4b

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Oct 28, 2013
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Not quite...
Plug it into the desktop only, but you can then "Share" the printer to any machine on your home network.
To the laptop, it looks like the printer is attached to it. The only thing you have to do is have the desktop powered on in order for the the laptop to print..
 
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Sam Graves

Sam Graves

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Jul 8, 2013
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I've never been able to get that to work. I've followed numerous online tutorials and youtube tutorials and gotten nothing but frustrated. If a splitter or similar will fix the issue, I'd rather just do that. The network thing just isn't working for me.
 
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Tom Tancredi

Tom Tancredi

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May 9, 2013
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Did you try to look up the rare USB Printer Splitter on Google? Amazon? Ebay? I seen one around once or twice, but due to many technical issues this was NOT a option. The default 'normal' way is to either share the printer off the computer it is connected to OR as you have been doing sharing it via a network method (like your Apple Airport Express) for ALL computers (desktops and laptops). Usually you have a Router with Printer USB port, you plug the printer in and ALL computers sees it on the 'network' as a shared printer (like what you see in most business offices when you need to 'print' to the big printer).

Also I would surmise your desktop is a Windows OS, the laptop is a Mac? If so your going to run into issues both ways unless you just put the printer on the network (yoru talking Apples and Oranges on printing from the different OSes).
 
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