StarTech.com 10/100Mbps Ethernet to USB 2.0 Network LPR Print Server

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

For £42.08 ex-VAT, this is a pretty sensible “get it working” print-server option—especially if you’ve got an older printer that won’t play nicely on the network and you just need it visible to Windows PCs without faffing around. It’s the kind of low-cost, low-complexity add-on that suits small offices, shared desks, or anyone managing a few legacy printers. In day-to-day use, the main question is reliability: these basic USB-to-LAN print servers typically do fine for straightforward printing workloads (single queue, moderate print volume), but they’re not the best choice if you need heavy throughput, lots of drivers, or very modern management workflows.

The main reason *not* to buy is if you’re expecting enterprise-style flexibility or seamless “set-and-forget” support across mixed OSes and locked-down environments. Some printers/drivers are temperamental over USB, and if your IT setup is fussy (or you’re trying to support multiple networks/users with minimal admin), you may end up spending more time on troubleshooting than the £42 savings are worth. If your goal is simply to network-enable one or two legacy printers quickly and cheaply, this is a good fit; if you need robust, scalable printing management, I’d look at higher-end network print solutions instead.