Fundamentals of wireless printers?

Question

I am considering buying an HP wireless printer (wifi NOT bluetooth!). I currently have my 4 PCs all wireless connecting to my ADSL modem which is also the wireless router. everything works fine here.

So my question is pretty basic at this point. If I get a wireless printer will the PCs be communicating with it DIRECTLY for their print jobs? Or will the print requests still have to go through the wireless router?

Also regardless of which path it takes I guess you still have to install the drivers for the PC to talk to the printer as though it were still connected via USB cable, correct? Thanks

Answer 1

Each machine will need the FULL software installed. Before you do this you will need to configure the printer to look for your ssid of the router, then set its' channel to match and set the encryption key. Communication is through the router, as this guarantees best range, machine to machine is weak in comparison.