TRENDware WIRELESS PRINT SERVER 1PORT USB ( TEW-P1U )

Rating:
Summary: Stay away from this device!
Review: First I have fairly extensive experience with wireless networking and print servers, am a EE, and am the IT guy at my office, managing a 12 station business network. So I thought I would save some bucks with this at home, figuring I could get it to work even if the instructions were in Chinese.

WRONG!

After countless hours setting it up using the procedure outlined in the manual and in a previous msg (yes there is a little switch for setup mode) I was able to print exactly one document through it. None of my Windows XP pro computers are now able to communicate with my printer through it. It is now in my junk box.

What's more, Trendware stiffed me for my rebate money! They admit they mailed it to the wrong address, but could not send another check. All they could do was say, "sorry."

Buy Linksys or Netware. Pay a little more, waste a lot less time and money...

Rating:
Summary: The bold can save money here.
Review: First of all it works. And that's that. A wireless print server is a pretty cool thing.
It's true, the manual is in Chinese, roughly translated into English. But you knew that when you decided to save fifty bucks. Right? I did.
The more confusing part is that so many modes are supported. If you are doing a generic windows installation, like me, you don't want to deal with any of that. And, you don't have to. Just follow the windows instructions.
I made some mistakes - so I'm sharing my experience. It's possible to set this puppy up real fast and easy, if you can just get the idea of what your supposed to do.
I was confused because there is no 10-base-T internet connector that you might use to configure another product. What you need
to do is setup a computer in "ad-hock" mode. I started to re-configure my Microsoft base-station from my main workstation and
THAT IS A MISTAKE. What you want to use is a wireless 'client' laptop (I have 3 here) and configure it to 'ad-hock' mode. This
may seem like a pain, but if you use your laptop at any of the public 'access points' (eg. starbucks) then you already did that. In any case, you want to do that someday, if not now.

Then you just set the switch on the TEQ-P1U to setup mode, turn it on, login, and set it up. I had no problems there. I used their setup program but you could easily use a browser (if you have Mac, for instance) and set it up by webpage (there's an ip address to use). What you are setting up is your WEP-encryption number and stuff, which you have probably done a dozen times while setting up your network anyway, so you should be used to it.
Then you flip the tiny switch on the unit back and it will show up on your, encrypted private, network. Your Base station should now show it (with a blank name) on the network.

The next part is following the instructions, for EVERY COMPUTER you have, to install the print driver. The weird part is, since it's remote, you have to pick the printer type from a list using Microsofts 'Install Printer Wizard", because windows doesn't recognize the printer over the network. I did this 3 times with no problems whatsoever. I never called tech support. If it weren't for my first mistake (trying to change the base station) the whole thing would have been smooth as silk.


Rating:
Summary: Run Away!
Review: I am a professional computer tech. I own my own business and have over 20 years experience. This is one of the worst designed products I have seen in years. A friend bought this item from another vendor, ran into trouble and asked if I could help. I spent 10 - 12 hours on it with no luck. It would print as a standard print server OK (though very slowly) but it simply would not work in wireless mode. And yes, I have done many wireless installations.

I am not sure what product the guy who wrote the positive review was using, but it wasn't this wireless print server. For starters, there are no switches on it.

I recommend the Linksys WPS54GU2 instead.

Rating:
Summary: If you are a Mac user - Run!!!!!
Review: This adapter is supposed to work with Macintosh and Appletalk. If it does, nobody at Trendware is aware of it. They sent me to a college website to get information from their computer lab. Arrghhhh!!!!! When I tried to configure the print server manually, Trendware tech support could not even tell me what values to enter into the fields. The only reason I can see for a Mac user to buy this product is if they are obsessive compulsive and need something to do.

Rating:
Summary: Agree with previous reviewer - terrible instructions
Review: While the product appears to work like a charm, the instruction manual is not only incomplete, but almost incomprehensible. It appears to be some Asian language translated back into English.

If you buy, do yourself a favor and call tech support for installation.

Rating:
Summary: Very hard install, not user friendly
Review: You will spend hours installing this one. The manual is only a few sheets about the installation "wizard" and is written in chinese-english. No help from the manual. Your on your own.