Laser Printer Cable question

[ArkiStan]

http://www.valstarprinters.com/HP-LaserJet-8000n-Printer-C4086A-p/c4086a.htm

Hey guys.
We need to get an B&W 11x17 laser printer for the office and we're gonna try out a refurbished model since they seem pretty affordable. This is one of the many models we've been looking at:
http://www.valstarprinters.com/HP-LaserJet-8000n-Printer-C4086A-p/c4086a.htm

First off, has anybody used a refurbished laser printer? They're certified by HP so I'm assuming it's guaranteed to a certain degree.

Other than that, the biggest question I have is whether we will be able to use it as a network printer for the office. We have a cheap wireless router (Netgear Wireless-N Gigabit Router with USB) feeding all our computers. The different printers I've been looking at (HP 5000 or 8000 series) all have different cable options. Some only have IEEE 1284, some also say "ethernet." If we wanted to use it as a network printer through the router, what type of connection/setup would we use? I'm assuming it would have to engage the router through a CAT5 connection, but is there a converter that does IEEE 1284 to CAT5? Or do we need to find a printer that natively has a CAT5 connection? I'm confused...

[Devhux]

You would more than likely need to get a printer with an Ethernet port. I doubt there's any adapters, since if the printer doesn't have the hardware for it, how's it going to be able to obtain an IP address?

If the router can act as a print server, you may be able to just get a USB printer.

[cruelpupet]

There are adapters that do parallel to ethernet, but if the printer doesnt already have it you can just get a jet direct card for it (ie. and ethernet card)

The 8000 series is a real workhorse. I never dealt with a refurb before, but i cant imagine that printer having many problems. It was made back when HP made good hardware for their business printers.

[ArkiStan]

Thanks guys. I notice some of the model numbers have an N at the end (5000N, 8000N, etc). I'm wondering these are capable of functioning as a network printer without the jetdirect card. On the spec sheet (http://www.retrevo.com/search?q=HP+8000n&rt=sp&modelid=324244) for the 8000N model it says:

Connections:
1 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45 ¦ 1 x parallel - IEEE 1284 (EPP/ECP) - 36 pin mini-Centronics

Will I be able to plug this directly into a router and use it as a network printer without any additional hardware?

[Devhux]

Yup!

The "N" models are network-capable right out of the box. Plug them into your router and they should work fine.

[ArkiStan]

Great! I just ordered the 8000DN (networking and duplex printing) for a pretty decent price ($200). Of course after shipping, toners and a hefty extended warranty the price practically doubled from that, but if this thing works well, it's gonna be a great deal. Thanks for all the input guys.

[cruelpupet]

how much printing do you do?

[attgig]

once you plug it in, you can get the ip address of the printer and put that ip address in your browser window.

there's a whole web application that the printer serves. make sure you set an admin password and all that stuff.

[ArkiStan]

how much printing do you do?

i run an architecture firm. lots of documents, drawing sets, etc.