Cheap Laptop PCs Desktops

Are you unhappy with your printer’s current performance? Do you want it to print faster so you can complete those print jobs in a hurry? After all, no one wants to stand over the printer waiting for those finished pages to come out. You may not realize it but there are ways to increase the speed and performance of your existing printer just by tweaking your own print options and settings.

Choosing Ink Darkness

When you are printing with either an inkjet or laser printer, you can adjust the settings to make the ink darker or lighter on the printed documents. The darker you choose to make the ink the longer it’s going to take the documents to print and the more ink cartridges or toner you are going to use during the jobs. There are a couple of ways to make these changes. If you have installed the printer driver, you should be able to access the printer’s options and can choose the correct level of darkness. With an inkjet cartridge, you’d want to choose draft quality for the fastest speeds.

Another Method to Adjust Darkness

If you did not install the printer driver, you can still access printer settings through your own computer. You can either select “Printers” from the Control Panel or select “Properties” from the printing screen. Once you’ve accessed the appropriate menu you’ll want to pick the “Paper Quality” tab. Now scroll down or let your eyes wander to the lower part of the dialog box until you find the button marked “Advanced.” Click on that and you’ll see a new dialog box with additional options available. From here, you’ll be able to adjust the printer’s toner/ink darkness settings. Remember to choose lower numbers or draft quality to maximize speed.

Monochrome Printing Only

Besides the darkness of your ink, another factor that can slow down the printing speed of your printer is the use of color ink cartridges. This should make sense. Remember that normally your black ink comes separate from the others. While their colors have to be combined to create the exact color for each portion of your document which takes times, the black ink is ready to go.

Connections

While not necessarily a setting issue, the connections you use for your printer can affect speed. USB connections are faster than the old-fashion parallel port methods, for example. You can also speed things up by directly connecting your printer into your network via a network server. Make sure all of your computers can connect to the server either through cables or wirelessly.

John C. Arkin
http://www.articlesbase.com/hardware-articles/common-setting-options-to-print-more-pages-faster-on-your-printer-689278.html

No sound business large or small can afford to loose their data or the ability to use their computing assets without a potentially heavy reputational, opportunity or financial loss.  Usually in the event of a disaster you lose a bit of all three.  The recent panic about on and off line security of data is testament to the risks and consequences.  Though it seems worrying about security is fashionable and protecting from disaster is not and therefore often forgotten.  However I would urge you both are just as catastrophic and perhaps disaster is more likely these days! 

More and more people are now realising just how much protecting against disasters applies equally to individuals as well as businesses.  Could you do without access to your bank account, reference to that critical email correspondence, access to your home budgeting finance software or spreadsheets. At the very least it’s hugely inconvenient at worst it could lead to heavy financial losses or liability.

For the purposes of very small businesses or home users protecting and managing disaster scenarios really merges the three industrial IT fields of Disaster Recovery, High Availability and Backup.  Using best practice from industry and modern desktop PC’s with sophisticated hardware and software it’s amazing just how much we can do.  Protecting against disaster essentially comes with two key strategies:

• Disaster Prevention – by using redundant components so that a single critical component failure doesn’t compromise the whole systems ability to function i.e. extra power supplies, redundant disk arrays (RAID1, RAID5 etc), protected uninterruptable power supplies, dual network cards (NIC), dual processors, even dual machines (clustering) etc.
• Disaster recovery (Backup & Restore) – periodically taking snapshots of the whole system and changed parts of it are the as ‘old as the hills’ way of being able to recover from any disaster scenario.  This used to be done to an offline media like tape or cartridge but now online media are becoming so cheap and far faster its more convenient to perform online backups to a low cost per GB data store (i.e. external hard drive or USB stick for domestic or home professional users).

Surprisingly some of these industrial IT tools and techniques are now available to the home user or professional.  High quality desktop computers all now come with RAID providing redundant disk drive support.  So how come you have never heard of any this or many of the other techniques?  Not many PC vendors can be bothered making it available as an option, configuring and supporting it or understanding how to do it right.  For the average risk adverse PC vendor this just open’s up a can of worms that seems like more cost or risk of cost on the wafer thin bottom line.  So they just cross their fingers and hope you don’t ask about it…

Practical things you can do to reduce your exposure

The following is a five step list of inexpensive things you can do to protect yourself from disaster and minimise the impact in the event it happens, roughly in priority order:

1. Protecting your live data – The most unreliable piece of equipment in your PC is the only bit that moves, an awful lot, the mechanical hard drive.  Almost everyone will at some point experience one failing and lose data and time as a consequence.  An extra disk in your PC need cost no more than US$40 these days, even an extra terabyte is only US$90.  Almost all good quality desktops support RAID levels that will protect your data.  The most basic of these is mirroring (RAID1) which simply copies the contents of one disk directly onto another simultaneously, should one fail the other can take over.  This all happens automatically in the RAID controller (either on your desktop motherboard or in a separate controller card).  More sophisticated is RAID5 which uses parity across a minimum of three drives (so an extra two are required but you can add more to increase performance).  RAID10 (1 + 0) expands on the RAID1 mirroring concept combined with RAID0 striping to improve performance but requires a minimum of four drives.
2. Backing up your data – Windows Vista Business or Ultimate come with effective backup software for both a complete image backup of your PC (a snapshot of the whole machine and its configuration) and to backup your individual data files incrementally.  These editions of Vista only cost about an extra US$50 or so over the basic edition and are well worth the extra if only for Backup & Restore.  They have a number of other professional and business features worth having.
3. Feed your PC clean reliable power – for around US$20 you can get a simple surge protector and filter for your mains supply.  In the event of a brown out or lightning strike this might save your PC.  For US$100 or more depending on how sophisticated you get you can have a full clean uninterruptible power supply (UPS) which will keep your machine running for a few minutes even after the power has failed by switching to the built-in battery and a power converter circuit.   This few minutes allows you to shutdown your system in an orderly fashion saving files, closing applications and finishing work off neatly and without risking any corruption that a sudden power off might.
4. Keep your PC cool – it never ceases to surprise me where people put their PC’s, under the desk, in a cupboard, next to the heating radiator are all bad places.  Largely gone are the days where computers need air conditioning to function reliably but you do need to make sure they get adequate ventilation and are sited in a generally cool location.  Not doing so will likely shorten its life and worse still reduce its reliability.
5. Preventative maintenance – to keep its insides cool your PC sucks in cool air at the front and blows out hot air out the back.  When we get PC’s back for upgrades or maintenance it’s not unusual to find a thick layer of dust and dirt over the fans, grills, motherboard and key components.  This radically reduces their cooling effectiveness and can at worse actually seize fans up or short out components.  You really will do your PC a lot of good if you periodically blow the dust out and vacuum it up with one of the pointed flexible plastic hose attachments.  Also make sure your filters on your case if you have any are regularly cleaned.

Security

Not really in the list as it’s a whole topic in itself (and its covered by another article) is general security and virus protection.  Many tools on the market today are way over the top for what you need.  You want something basic and unobtrusive so that it gets the job done but doesn’t interfere or hog the performance of your machine.  In my opinion many of the small niche security software suppliers and not the big market players are the better tools in this regard.  You should be able to get something completely FREE that does all you need.

Standby machines

Another option to consider is what the industry would call a ‘warm standby’ machine.  Have another similar if not identical machine ready to take over your critical work if your main machine dies.  Using an image backup or a hot swap disk from the dead machine to the new you can be back up and running in minutes.  With the low cost of commodity machines these days you could quite inexpensively have a reduced power [cheaper] machine ready to take over the vital work in an emergency.

Conclusion

All the ideas I’ve described in this article are all best practice that industry has been doing for business for years.  Now modern PC hardware and software within the reach of the domestic and home professional opens up some powerful options to make any pain due to hardware failures or data corruption completely unnecessary.  Do yourself a favour and get it done for your own data no matter much you think it will never happen to you, you will sleep more easily.

Alan Johnson
http://www.articlesbase.com/hardware-articles/is-your-critical-pc-data-adequately-protected-from-disaster-727102.html

First impressions

What sets the Mac mini apart from every other computers, including Mac computers, is its size. At just 5 cm (2 inches) high, and 16.5 cm (6.5 inches) square, its dimensions are remarkable. When compared to the bulky horizontal cases and towers of so many similarly priced machines, the Mac Mini is in a class of its own.

This isn’t the full story, of course, but on size alone, the Mac mini offers a space-saving opportunity for PC owners to switch to a Mac and retain their existing monitor, keyboard, mouse and other peripherals. It’s even possible, thanks to a Belkin KVM switch, to retain your PC, put a Mac mini nearby, and change from one to the other as you wish without rearranging your desk.

Technical specs and performance

On the technical side, the latest Mac mini models are also well worth a look. They now have Intel Core 2 Duo processors of either 1.83GHz or 2GHz. These processors are from Intel’s 65 nanometre family with 64 bit architecture. To complement them, Apple has added 2MB of L2 cache for the 1.83GHz Mac mini and 4MB for the 2GHz model, together with a 128 bit SSE3 vector engine on both.

The result of this technology is interesting, to say the least: the new Mac mini is up to 39% faster than the previous model. This jump in speed varies according to your application – the 39% figure refers to Apple’s iPhoto ’08 – but there are many examples of improvements with other software. For example, overall speeds using Apple’s web browser, Safari, are up by 26%; and compressing a film with the 2.0GHz Mac mini has accelerated by 35% compared to the old equivalent machine.

For memory, the 1.83GHz and 2GHz Mac minis have 1GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM on two SO-DIMMs as standard. 1GB of RAM is certainly a respectable amount; but if you want more capacity, you can double it if you wish.

Standard storage for the 1.83GHz Mac mini is an 80GB 5,400 rpm Serial ATA hard disc drive. The 2GHz version has a more spacious 120GB. Apple does give you the chance to improve on both of these with a 120GB drive for the 1.83GHz Mac mini, and 160GB for the 2GHz.

As for graphics, the Mac mini has an integrated processor so you’ve no choice but accept it. This needn’t be a problem, however, because the processor is the Intel GMA 950, a unit that can handle the latest 3D games.

Hardware

A useful piece of hardware that accompanies the Mac mini is the Apple Remote. This is handy when you use Apple’s Front Row media application. You can sit back and control at a distance the music and films you play through the computer.

Ideally, of course, you want a good quality monitor to take full advantage of Front Row. The Mac mini has a DVI video output port that supports digital resolutions up to 1,920 x 1,200 pixels. This means you can connect and enjoy a 20 inch Apple Cinema Display or a 23 inch Apple Cinema HD Display. If you don’t have such a monitor, however, and you’re thinking of buying one, consider the total cost. An iMac, with its better spec, can make a more attractive financial alternative to a Mac mini/Apple Cinema Display combo.

For analogue monitor connections, the Mac mini has a DVI to VGA adaptor. You can also buy an Apple DVI to Video Adaptor to give you S video and composite video out connections to a projector or TV.

Other ports on the back of the Mac mini include a combined optical digital audio input/audio line in minijack, and a combined optical digital audio output/headphone out minijack. You can use these for your digital audio equipment, headphones, a microphone or external speakers. Incidentally, despites its compactness, the Mac mini does have a built-in speaker.

The remaining ports are a FireWire 400 and four USB 2.0s. Four USBs may seem generous but don’t forget that you have to connect a keyboard and a mouse before you start. You could, though, opt for wireless versions.

Wireless technology is Apple’s built-in 54 Mbps AirPort Extreme wireless networking plus built-in Bluetooth® 2.0 + EDR. These two are just what you need for wireless activity. There’s also a 10/100/1000 Ethernet port for those who prefer cable connection to the Internet or a network.

At the front of the Mac mini is a slot-loading optical drive. Here there’s a distinct difference between the two models with the 1.83GHz coming with a Combo drive, and the 2GHz with the more versatile SuperDrive, which allows you to burn DVDs as well as CDs.

Software

As ever with Macs, the software that accompanies the Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard operating system is comprehensive. Between them Leopard, iLife ’08, and Front Row give you pretty much everything you need for a full multimedia experience.

With iLife ’08, for instance, you receive iPhoto for enhancing and organising your photographs; iMovie to help you create and share your films; GarageBand, which lets you play with a virtual band as well as create music and podcasts; iWeb for making websites that contain photos and films as well as text; and iDVD, an application that enables you to transform your home movies into professional-looking films.

Other Mac mini applications include iChat for video calls, and Safari, the fastest web browser around. A further bonus is the chance to try out iWork, which contains Pages ’08 for word processing; Numbers ’08 for spreadsheets; and Keynote ’08 for presentations. If you’re more familiar with Microsoft Office, this is a good opportunity to see what iWork can offer instead. You can also make a direct comparison because the Mac mini has trial software of Microsoft Office for Mac.

Conclusion Pros

• A small neat package with high quality specs
• Ideal for making the change from PC to Mac
• Much faster than previous model
• Remote control included
• Contains all the usual Apple software plus iLife ’08
• Great value if you already have a monitor, keyboard and mouse

Cons

• If you intend to buy a top quality monitor, keyboard and mouse for the Mac mini, you might want to check out the iMac

Josh R Evans
http://www.articlesbase.com/hardware-articles/mac-mini-review-723541.html

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As the bulky desktop computers were unable to carry by the users wherever they go, the sleek portable laptops have gained popularity among the people across the world. They come with all the desktop computer features and are manufactured with a very less weight. The advent of wireless Internet connectivity is also one of the reasons behind the success of laptops.

To protect the glassy-screen and sensitive keypad, most of the modern laptops are manufactured in the flip format. To offer high-performance to their users, the modern laptops are integrated with several input methods like high-storage capacity, touch pad, powerful rechargeable battery, low power consumption CPUs and AC/DC adapter. They offer great flexibility, portability and facilitate the users to enjoy hassle-free Internet access.

To please the demands of the customers as well as to face the challenges of the present day computer market, most of the laptop manufacturing companies have started introducing the ultra-stylish powerful laptops at very low rates. In this regard, many people suspect the reliability and durability of the cheap laptops. But, here, they have to understand one point. All the laptops that are available at cheap rates are manufactured with best quality components. To extend their business to all sectors of the people, the manufactures offer even the exceptional quality laptops at affordable prices.

Like all the normal laptops, the cheap laptops are manufactured with slim dimensions. You can carry them along with you and can place them at any corner of the table or in your lap without any hassles. As they are compatible with dynamic low power consumption CPU, you can save your power bills. The rechargeable batteries of these laptops help you to do your work, when you are out of home.

These laptops also help you to make your work easy to handle. At any time and from any place, you can check your mails, use online banking services and can also purchase things through online shopping portals. The CD writer and DVD writer features allow you to watch your favourite movies as well as to listen music.

Some of the trusted laptop manufacturers like HCL, Del and Acer also offer cheap laptops in different models and designs.

Before going for the choice of cheap laptops, you should consider many important points. You have many options to find the best laptop at a low price. Among all the options, browsing the reliable websites over the Internet is the right choice for you. This will help you to find all the cheap laptops, just by sitting at your home. Observing the picture and sound quality is also very important. Because, some of the laptops come with low resolution displays. On some special occasions, even the high-price laptops are available at very low rates as the manufacturers offer discounts on these devices.

So, the low price laptops are the best options for the college students, small businessmen and the users who want can not spend more money on purchasing a laptop. They save the users money and allow them to enjoy all the Internet services.

Issac Brandon
http://www.articlesbase.com/laptops-articles/cheap-laptops-flexible-comfortable-and-affordable-689553.html

I have tried a lot of different online directions and can’t seem to get anything to work. To set the stage, my office computer is running XP. I have a laptop that is running Vista. I don’t need printer sharing right now, just the ability to share files between the computers. I also have another two computers (desktop and netbook) that run XP that are on the same home network. Any help is greatly appreciated.

well……….if u r good user then i dont think there should be problem for u….to share a drive or to share a folder or a file ….u first go to my computer and right click on C drive (for example) and click sharing and security…and if u see a warning sentence in blue line just read it then click on it….then another screen will appear ..leave the local sharing and go to network sharing and click it…..then the system will by default will share with the name of the drive..folder or file name…but u can change the share name too as u want……hope u understand………….ok cheers

Copyright (c) 2009 Titus Hoskins

Before you can even decide what make of computer you want, whether it is a Dell, Mac or Hewlett Packard… you need to answer this burning question: will your next computer be a laptop or a desktop PC?

In order to answer this question you need to do your research. You need to familiarize yourself with both laptops and PCs. The reason that I say this is because as with all purchasing decisions there are pros and cons to whatever decision you make. In order to make the most informed decision as to which choice will be your next computer, you need to not only look into the advantages and disadvantages of each of them but you also need to make sure that you apply these pros and cons to your individual circumstances.

So what exactly are these pros and cons?

If you are looking into desktop PCs you will see that they are usually cheaper than laptops and for the money that you are paying you will get a lot more hardware/software. You get a faster computer at a lower price. That’s the main reason many gamers tend to opt for desktop PCs over laptops as they are more suited to gaming and audio/video applications. However, recent developments have meant that there are now laptops coming out that have been primarily designed for gamers. The performance gap is narrowing swiftly.

While laptop prices are falling, they are generally more expensive than PCs because of their design aspect but mainly because they haven’t been around as long as PCs. Generally over time, electronic goods such as TVs, DVD players, computers… usually come down in price as makers recoup their initial manufacturing costs.

Another plus point for a PC comes in the fact that they are easily upgradable. If you want to upgrade the graphics card to a more powerful one you can. If you want to change or add another hard drive then go right ahead. With a laptop however, they may require professional installation and in many cases you are unable to upgrade or add to the technology that appears within it. They are a lot more troublesome to deal with when it comes to modifying or repairing them.

Despite these advantages that the PC holds over the laptop hasn’t stop the popularity of laptops from growing and expanding. There are in fact now more laptops being brought than desktops and this is a trend that is set to increase.

One of the main advantages that exist with laptops is the fact that they are portable. Many people now need a laptop in order to stay more productive. They allow you to access files and data at anytime and from any location, which is a necessity for many people due to our fast paced and on the go society. Also thanks to Wi-Fi wireless networks the connectivity of laptops are amazing. You are able to gain easy access to the Internet while you remain mobile.

Another pro to having a laptop as your next computer as oppose to a desktop PC is the fact that with a laptop you have low power consumption. The reason for this is that laptops are several times more power-efficient than desktops. A typical laptop uses 20-90 W, compared to 100-800 W for desktops. I feel that this is an important feature, especially for businesses that run hundreds of personal computers as it could ensure that you have a multitude of potential savings. It is also helpful to homes where there is a computer running 24/7 such as a home media server or print server.

Nor should you ignore the aesthetic appeal of the laptop. They have great style and design which makes them attractive to potential buyers. Gaming laptops are especially decked out with flashy decor and pizazz; while you should never buy a computer for its looks, many people do just that!

These are just a few examples of the pros and cons that are associated with laptops and desktop PCs. There are good and bad points for each option, so depending on what you need your computer for you may opt for a laptop or you may opt for a PC. The most important thing is that you make your choice based on your needs to ensure that you get the most out of your computer. Satisfy your own needs first and you won’t be disappointed with your final choice.

Titus Hoskins
http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/laptop-or-pc-what-should-your-next-computer-be-742417.html

LCD TV is completely opposite from a traditional television and is designed to offer high portability. Its liquid crystal display screen allows the users to enjoy seamless viewing experiences. The main advantages of LCD TV include dynamic contrast ratio, viewing angles, high resolution and a sharp image resolution. This wide television is highly appreciated by the users. Its high resolution sharp images give crystal display quality. There are many electronic brands, which manufacture high quality LCD TVs. Some of the names in LCD TV include Samsung, Philips, Haier, LG and many more. Due to the cut-throat competition in the market, these brands have cut down the prices of their LCD TVs. There are many varieties of Cheap LCD TVs, which are easily available in the market. The Cheap LCD TVs mainly cater to the middle and low income group customers. The users need to undertake a comprehensive and thorough survey of the market. This process help the users to get the best deals at the most reasonable prices. Plasma TV is another advance technology television. LCD and Plasma TV, both have flat screens but a LCD TV is far better than a Plasma TV. Plasma TV comes with best picture, best contrast ratio quality, which offer better pictures. Whereas, a LCD TV allows the users to play video games, or use it as a computer monitor and is a safer option. LCD TV consumes 30-40% less power than a Plasma TV. The main comparison between both the devices is that a LCD TV, usually, comes in sizes below 32 inches and plasma TV in 32 inches and above sizes. LCD television are digitally rich in LCD technology. The LCD TV performed flawlessly, which has totally changed customer’s preferences. The market trends ‘push’ the manufactures to make LCD TVs. This reliable product works over quality, functionality, performance and availability of TV solutions. Samsung is one of the leading players in the world of LCD TV. The Samsung LCD TVs deliver high quality and give amazing viewing experience to the users. The Samsung LCD TVs are available at cheap rates with high quality. Some of the best Samsung LCD TVs include the Samsung LA19R71 (Bordeaux ), Samsung LA26R71 (Bordeaux), Samsung LA32S8 (Sonoma Trenz) and Samsung LA32R8 (Bordeaux Art). These televisions come with advanced features with an outstanding picture resolution. These are filled with colour enhancers and offer dynamic contrast ratio, which give amazing viewing experience. The crystal clear panel offers world-class picture quality, by which the users can experience high resolution pictures. Some of its additional and user friendly features include Infrared remote control, teletext, digital TV tuner and digital electronic programming manual. The Samsung LCD TVs are very much in demand as they promise world class entertainment at very affordable prices.

Raisa Raima
http://www.articlesbase.com/television-articles/cheap-lcd-tv-are-increasing-tv-manufacturers-sales-673093.html

I have Intel Pentium D processor with 945 Mercury motherboard & 512 mb ram bought in 2007. I use my computer for graphic & web purposes , I want to upgrade my pc to run faster. So please tell me the best computer parts i should buy & the authorized shop in Mumbai where i will get that

I’ll suggest you reconsider upgrading. There’s limited upgrade potential for your system. You might be better sticking with your current system and saving a little more $$ and start building a new one.

You could start out with a ‘barebones’ system (better off building your own with quality parts) and moving over your disk drives, monitor, kbd mouse etc. Then as more cash is available. Pick up a new SATA drive, then a good video card, later a new monitor etc etc.

I’d be concerned that any $$ you put into your current system wouldn’t be worthwhile.

I think there is something built in to XP to allow you to switch computers with 1 monitor. I have done it before but forgot. Does anyone know?

KVM switch? Not built in.

Maybe you’re thinking of "Remote Desktop Connection"
(Start\All Programs\Accessories\Remote Desktop Connection)

With this, you can remotely access a computer in another room or right next to the one you are sitting at. This is sort of like a KVM. The second computer doesn’t even need a keyboard, mouse, or monitor if it is set to boot without them. (This does make it difficult to figure out problems at boot)
The second computer only needs power and a network connection. Obviously this doesn’t work if you want only the second computer, the first one is required for either to be used.

Of course you could always use the poor man’s KVM. Get on your knees, reach behind the computer, and switch the cables.

span style=”font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";”>Setting up a business can be quite expensive. You would need to rent the space, purchase the equipment, register and pay the needed licenses and hire the employees. As such, some business owners have begun to look for other ways to cut down costs. One way is to connect a workgroup printer to multiple computers in the form of a network.

What is a printer network?

A printer network is created by connecting all the computers used in the business to one particular inkjet or laser printer through the use of a server, usually a dedicated computer. Usually, this is done by a computer networking company who may use a series of routers and hubs, depending on the number of computers to be connected to a printer. Business owners would often seek the assistance of a computer network technician to set up the entire network system that the business would use to make sure that you can prevent any errors in establishing the network.

Common Ways to Network a Printer

Computers can be networked to a printer through two ways:

LAN Connection. LAN stands for Local Area Network. As the name implies, it allows computers within a small area to be connected with each other. There are two kinds of LAN connections that are normally used. The most common one used in business establishments is the peer-to-peer network. This kind of LAN connection allows computers within the business to share information and resources among all workstations. LAN networks are commonly created through installing Ethernet cables and network hubs and routers.

Wireless Connection. Wireless connection is created and performed in the same manner as that of a LAN connection. The only difference that this does not use Ethernet cables to connect the computer workstations with each other. Instead, information and resources is sent from one workstation to another workstation or a printer through the use of radio signals.

Benefits of Creating a Printer Network

Setting up a printer network to connect multiple workstations has a number of benefits:

Costs. Instead of purchasing multiple printers to meet the needs of each of the workstation in the company, computer networks would allow the business to minimize the cost.

Convenient Retrieval of Information. Employees no longer need to share USB flash drives, CDs or floppy disks to transfer information from one computer to another. Instead, they would be able to store the information by simply clicking on the name of the workstation in the list of computers attached to the network for easy retrieval.

Backup of Information. It is expected that every once in a while a computer workstation would crash and would need repair. Because all information can be easily retrieved through the network, the employee would be able to use a free workstation and pick up where he or she left off, minimizing downtime.

Can all printers be networked?

Most of the models of printers available in computer stores have the capability of being networked to multiple workstations. If you are not sure whether your existing printer can be networked, you can consult the printer manufacturer’s website or the printer manual for the printer’s features and capabilities.

John C. Arkin
http://www.articlesbase.com/hardware-articles/printer-networking-101-692128.html