TINY access point for printer?

Howdy all.

I have a D-Link DGL-4300 gamers router (typical 4-port Wireless-G router) and, of course, all 4 ports are currently taken.

The ports include my main PC, my secondary PC, my Xbox 360 and an ethernet printer.

I just ordered VOIP phone service and will want a wired connection to the router. The most obvious choice to cut out of this equation is the printer (and later the Xbox 360).

I had a Linksys WGA54G access point (the one made for the old Xbox) but it's never worked right and I'm fairly sure it's defective. It was such a mess that that's what caused me to run ethernet to the Xbox in the first place.

So, anyway, I want to try and find an access point for the printer. However, the printer sits all of 3 feet from me in my computer room and it about 8 feet from the router. The idea of adding another big box near the printer is just not that appealing.

Does anyone make a tiny little access point that I can essentially plug into the ethernet port (it's on the side of the printer) and plug in to power? I can't imagine that these aren't out there somewhere.

I could go USB to the printer but several laptops are in the house and I love the IP access to check consumable and such. Plus with USB my PC would then need to be up all the time to print, etc.

Any ideas?

Thanks. It was terrible. Every time it would connect my PC would slow to a crawl. I don't get it.

Funny you mention a switch. I was just looking at them thinking that would be the more cost-effective way to go.

Someone suggested an AirPort Express for a mere $130 and I thought, "$130??? No way!".

I can get an 8-port Gigabit switch that perfectly matches my router for $39 and, as you noted, a cheap switch for $10-$20.

Plus that gives me expansion options where the other way gives me nothing.