printer sharing?

[Randy]

I have 2 laptops that need to share a printer can or should I use a usb cable to to connect the 2 laptops and then enable printer sharing or can or should I connect thru wireless net connection?

also sometimes one or the other laptop may be gone out for a few days I was thinking maybe a hub of some sort? maybe a better way.

TIA, Randy

* awaits simple solutions*

below is what i would like but not sure if a hub /switch is avail
http://members.speedguide.net/randy/printer.jpg

[Roody]

A hub would be your best bet.

[brembo]

Does the printer have an ethernet conncet or provisions to operate without a host computer?

[JBrazen]

So I assume that the 2 laptops are not already hooked up to an existing network? If not, a hub or a switch should suit you fine. Just remember that you will have to set them up with static IPs unless you hook them up to a router with a built in switch.

[Randy]

not allowed to network them.
no ethernet provisions

just your basic usb printer connectivity. I like the idea of a hub/switch would regular usb hub work? I tend to think not. anyone have a link.

Thanks for the replys, I need to get this figured today

[Randy]

maybe this would work
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=120618#

[robroyzz]

I just finished this situation.
given:
Win XP Home SP2
usb cable to pc 1
usb cable to pc 2
usb cable to printer
Keep total distance between device and pc to about 5 meters.
1. manual switchover
1A. Get a usb a-b adapter (both sides female) very inexpensive
connect pc 1 to adapter's "b" and "a" to printer's cable
When you want to print with pc 2
disconnect pc 1's cable
connect pc 2's cable to adapter to printer's cable
USB links can be finicky, especially with an adapter between 2 cables. This causes 4 connector pairs in series so interference in the connector junctions could cause a "can't connect" problem. Experiment with different cables to find a good pair.
1B. Get a usb hub (2 or 4 female "a" ports) connect as above using female "b" to pc and one of the "a" ports to printer.

2. Fancy manual switchover ($10 + $7 shipping)
Get a push button or rotary ab usb switch, one "a" female and two "b" female ports.
Connect pc 1's cable to one "b" port and pc 2's cable to the other "b" port.
Connect printer's cable to "a" port.
Switch from one pc to the other via pushbutton.

3. Automatic switchover
Buy an automatic switch which connects the printer from one pc to another via a keyboard command. (more expensive)

I found that connecting 2 pc's to an external HDD made for a finicky situation due to the HDD's speed. Connecting 2 pc's to my printer had no problem.