Printer cable help please

auntyS

Hi, hope someone can help me.

I have a desktop PC connected to a Brother printer and would like to be able to connect my laptop occasionally to print documents without having to disconnect the PC.

I think I need some sort of double USB socket adaptor and a cable to connect the laptop to it if that is possible, but have no idea what it would be called. I have tried googling all sorts of combinations but can't find what I have in mind.

Am I barking up the wrong tree. Any help gratefully received.
Thanks.

forgotmyname

Laptop networked to the PC? Install network printer..

USB hub?

santer_2

Other options

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004HTK546/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000L5S4FC&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=00MMFDZ4TKJAEC7XDCCE

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?oe=utf-8&rls=Palemoon:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&q=usb+switch+box&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=9074728926396560791&output=nojs

http://www.solentcables.co.uk/acatalog/2-Way-Manual-USB-Switch-Box.html

Check if there is an advantage having a powered one, if available

auntyS

forgotmyname wrote: »

Laptop networked to the PC? Install network printer..

USB hub?

Ah, ' hub ' - just couldn't find the right word , bit of a memory block. Not very techie as you can probably tell .

Found what I want now, thank you so much.

esuhl

A USB hub would allow you to plug multiple devices into one machine. What you want is either a USB switchbox (to connect one device to multiple machines) or as forgetmyname said, share the printer on the desktop PC and you'll be able to print from your laptop over the network (although that requires the desktop machine to be on when you print from the laptop).

Alternatively, you could get a print server which you connect in between your router and printer. You can get wireless print servers as well as wired ones.