Drawbacks of Wireless Printing

Wireless printing offers a number of benefits, such as convenience and efficiency,  to any home or office.  Connecting wirelessly also eliminates the need for more than one printer per house or office, reducing energy consumption and making it easier to stay organized.  Adding a wireless network will change the face of printing in any setting.

However, there are a few drawbacks that you should be aware of before going wireless.  This is not a perfect science, so be prepared for potential bumps in the road.

Speed

Image: Scott Akerman

Because wireless printers have to search for a signal rather than having it directly fed through an ethernet or USB cord, it may take a bit longer to transfer data – especially if the signal is not a strong one.  It can also take longer for a computer to connect to the printer initially. Also, if multiple devices are using the wireless network, a wireless-enabled printer could slow down every connection when in use, though this is generally only the case with older wireless routers.

Security

Other wireless devices within range of your wireless signal can potentially access your network.  This means they could basically steal the internet or gain access to computers on your network.  For this reason, it is essential to make your network password-protected.  Having an open wireless network also make you susceptible to hackers; this could be devastating to your business if you get a bad virus or compromise confidential information.

Coverage and Connection

Because the wireless networks use broadcast signals, there may be weak or dead spots.  Sometimes it is just unlucky, but sometimes a device is simply out of the effective coverage area, even when that device is in the same office.  This may mean placing the printer or router in a location that is less than ideal to ensure it has a strong signal. Even if you have a strong signal, glitches could cause you to lose connection, which can be frustrating and hinder production.  Additionally, on occasion, your signal may conflict with by a nearby wireless signal.

These are the three main issues with wireless printing, and they only happen on occasion and not within every wireless network.  Though they can all be a bit frustrating, especially in a work or school environment where efficiency is imperative, they are certainly not strong reasons to pass on wireless.  According to pcmag.com one of the best wireless printers is the Canon PIXMA MX822. The benefits of connecting devices easily without wires will outweigh the few minor drawbacks.