All For One, One For All A printer for every PC? Forget it--one network printer can get the job done

If you're still trying to connect every single workstationto its own printer, it's high time you considered theadvantages of networking. From pooling resources and saving moneyto ensuring that everyone's work flows faster, hooking all yourPCs up to a network has become a must for today's tech-savvyentrepreneurs. And with numerous workgroups now sharing files andapplications, adding the right printer (or even two) to the mix hasbecome increasingly important.

The sharing of one or two printers (rather than each personhaving his or her own) doesn't just open up space oneverybody's desks, but also cuts down on purchasing andmaintenance costs. One way to put that savings to good use is toapply it toward the purchase of a high-quality printer, so thateveryone on the network is able to produce documents with aprofessional look, and your company will always put its best printforward.

A speedy, sturdy monochrome laser printer is the best option toconsider when choosing a network printer. Sure, those under-$100network inkjets sound tempting, but they lack the long-term dutycycles of lasers. In fact, some inkjets have a machine life of only75,000 pages before they need to be replaced, compared to thenear-infinite machine life for a well-maintained laser.