Hey Computer Gurus, totally off topic. Windows 7; wireless printer

[vanagon40]

We just purchased a new wireless printer.  Our ISP is cellular broadband wireless (Verizon MiFi2200).  I have a desktop and my wife has a lap top.  We both use the wireless signal to access the internet, but we are not networked in any way.  There is no router, only the ISP transmitter.

What hardware does my wife need for a wireless connection from her laptop to the printer?  It would be nice, but not that important, to also have a wireless connection from the desktop to the new printer.  We have no desire to network the laptop and the desktop.

Also, I'm looking to update my 6 year old home desktop.  Is there any advantage to purchasing Windows 7 Pro over Windows 7 Home (or Home Premium).  I will never network this computer.  Again, my ISP is a cellular broadband wireless that is actually pretty slow (I am out in the country).

This will always be a stand alone computer.

I hate to spend the extra money for Windows 7 Pro if I will never need the added features.

Thanks in advance for the insights.

[Titan]

The wireless MiFi device is a router. It allows multiple computers to hook up to a single internet connection. Any devices (computers, printers) that are hooked up to that router are "networked" together. To have a wireless connection to the printer, the printer has to "join" the network in the same way that your computers "join" the network to get to the internet. There is settings in the printer to make it hook up to the same wireless that your computers are hooked up to. Once it is tied in to that router your computers will "see" it and be able to print to it.

[Robert]

Your  Verizon unit is a wireless router which you could hook the printer to, but if the printer is also wireless you should be able to configure the computers right to the printer. Turn on the printer and have your computer search for wireless devices. Once it has located the printer you can set it up as the default printer through the set up printer options. Both should be able to be done this way. As for Windows 7 find a comparison page and go down the list of options on both. I would do the Pro 64  it gives more options to configure connections. New Egg has pro for 139.00 and home for 99. Not much different.
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=368&name=Operating-Systems

[michaelyoung254]

Your new wireless printer should have the instructions in order to walk you through the process. You will most likely have to navigate through the set-up menu on your new printer in order for it to "see" your network. Technically speaking, you already have a network with the wireless router (your Verizon network connection is the router). All you will basically have to do is to tell the printer the password or passphrase (it should be written on a sticker the back of your router), and follow the instructions. Once the printer is connected to the network, your computers will be able to see the printer. The Verizon MIFI2200 has WPA encryption, and is very secure (provided that you don't give out the password). As far as the Windows 7, I wouldn't go with the "Professional" over the "Home Premium" version because very few (even fairly large ultra-high speed) home networks will need most of (if any) the features that the "Ultimate" or "Professional" versions have which the "Home Premium" does not.

Hope this helps!

[MacDragon]

If all else fails... the booklet that came with your printer should have a "tech support" number you can call and they will walk you through installation.

[BigAlOfMD]

I run Win7 Pro for one reason.
It has built in virtual machine support.
With Pro installed, you can download the MS-XP VM free. This is MS solution to compatibility for old programs.
This allows you to run very old apps and has some games (Reversi) that are no longer supported.

The other posts are correct about hooking your wireless printer to your MiFi router.
Not sure about hooking it directly to a PC and skipping the router.

[3fan4life]

I am constantly amazed at the number of "Fart Smellers" that we have here. 

Your  Verizon unit is a wireless router which you could hook the printer to, but if the printer is also wireless you should be able to configure the computers right to the printer. Turn on the printer and have your computer search for wireless devices. Once it has located the printer you can set it up as the default printer through the set up printer options. Both should be able to be done this way. As for Windows 7 find a comparison page and go down the list of options on both. I would do the Pro 64  it gives more options to configure connections. New Egg has pro for 139.00 and home for 99. Not much different.
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=368&name=Operating-Systems

The wireless MiFi device is a router. It allows multiple computers to hook up to a single internet connection. Any devices (computers, printers) that are hooked up to that router are "networked" together. To have a wireless connection to the printer, the printer has to "join" the network in the same way that your computers "join" the network to get to the internet. There is settings in the printer to make it hook up to the same wireless that your computers are hooked up to. Once it is tied in to that router your computers will "see" it and be able to print to it.

I have a question:

Does this use any of the Data allowance?

I also use the Verizon Mi Fi for my internet.

I have the 3 gb plan which works fine for surfing, but you need to be careful about videos and downloads.


I saw a wireless HP printer/scanner @ Walmart yesterday for $49 at that price it sure is tempting to go wireless. 

[Titan]

I am constantly amazed at the number of "Fart Smellers" that we have here. 

Your  Verizon unit is a wireless router which you could hook the printer to, but if the printer is also wireless you should be able to configure the computers right to the printer. Turn on the printer and have your computer search for wireless devices. Once it has located the printer you can set it up as the default printer through the set up printer options. Both should be able to be done this way. As for Windows 7 find a comparison page and go down the list of options on both. I would do the Pro 64  it gives more options to configure connections. New Egg has pro for 139.00 and home for 99. Not much different.
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=368&name=Operating-Systems

The wireless MiFi device is a router. It allows multiple computers to hook up to a single internet connection. Any devices (computers, printers) that are hooked up to that router are "networked" together. To have a wireless connection to the printer, the printer has to "join" the network in the same way that your computers "join" the network to get to the internet. There is settings in the printer to make it hook up to the same wireless that your computers are hooked up to. Once it is tied in to that router your computers will "see" it and be able to print to it.

I have a question:

Does this use any of the Data allowance?

I also use the Verizon Mi Fi for my internet.

I have the 3 gb plan which works fine for surfing, but you need to be careful about videos and downloads.


I saw a wireless HP printer/scanner @ Walmart yesterday for $49 at that price it sure is tempting to go wireless. 

No sir. Having the printer tied in to your router uses no data on your plan at all.

[3fan4life]

No sir. Having the printer tied in to your router uses no data on your plan at all.

THANKS

[Robert]

No charge unless it goes through the internet.

[vanagon40]

Thanks to all who patiently pointed out that my WiFi is a router.  Learned something new.

The wireless printer now works great.

Again, thank you everyone for the explanation.

(As to the other question, I do not believe I need Windows 7 PRO.  Likely go with Home.)