It is hard enough to keep up with the different features and specs when choosing a printer. Laser or inkjet; color or black and white; page yield; replacement cartridge cost; multifunction including scanner and/or copier? And now, we have another consideration: wireless and AirPrint.

AirPrint is actually an Apple technology that is built into the selected printer models of the major brands so that it can print wirelessly from your Apple computers and devices including Mac, iPhone, iPad and iPod. When you have an AirPrint printer, there is no need to download or install drivers. You can print wirelessly from your Apple OS X or iOS apps such as Mail, Safari, Photos, Camera, Maps, Pages, Numbers and Keynote.

Let us look at what AirPrint is about in layman terms:

1.  AirPrint printer is a wireless printer, but not all wireless printers are AirPrint-enabled. If you own an Apple computer or device, you should consider purchasing a printer with AirPrint capability. After you have configured your AirPrint-enabled printer to be connected to the same network as your Apple device, you will be able to select to print from this printer. Once the configuration is done, you should be able to see your AirPrint-enabled printer by tapping these icons in an opened app.

2.  AirPrint printer requires wireless setup. Click here to see how a wireless network can be easily set up. Assuming that you have a wireless network in place, the setup of AirPrint printer is trouble-free.

3.  The cost difference between AirPrint-enabled printers and wireless printers is negligible. Apple publishes and maintains the list of AirPrint-compatible printers here. The determining factor is whether you own Apple devices. With Android devices or PC’s, you should purchase wireless printers instead.

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