The setup was fairly easy, but I should say that I consider myself an experienced user. I’ve created a simple wifi network using our DSL modem, which is connected to the Airport Extreme. When it comes to seting up printers, I’m still sort of a newbie, so I was relying on the instructions to help me out. The instructions that are included with the printer are on a CD-ROM (I sure miss the good old days when they were printed and included), but the instructions are thorough, and actually once I got used to using them it was pretty fast to find my answers. Instructions are categorized based on HOW you are trying connect (ie, “printer is connected directly to a computer” vs. “printer is connected to a network”), then the instructions address your specific OS and other configuration options. Unlike other peripherals I’ve bought, the manual devotes adequate setup information for Mac users, guiding me through the intimidating process of configuring the printer to work with IP Printing. The steps were pretty easy and thorough, but you’ll want to have some help in the room if you consider yourself a novice user. In the end, both the Mac and PC were connected within about 20 minutes after installing the included software onto each laptop. The setup on the PC was actually easier than on the Mac; the software did all the configuration steps for me, and so all I needed to do was do a test print.

Both the Mac and PC can now both print wirelessly (based on our wifi network setup). I’m really happy about that!

In terms of the form factor of the unit, I’m pleased. It is much smaller than our 12 year old HP printer, and weighs about half the amount. There are plenty of status lights on the unit, but you’ll need to manual to interpret some of the light combinations. It is helpful that the unit has a “low toner” indicator. I do wish that the power button was not on the lower back of the unit though. I’m not a power user and we will only be turning the unit on when we print, so it is a pain to have to reach and find the power switch.

The unit prints quickly of course. Well, again, I’m comparing it to a dog of an old printer. One thing I should mention is that my wife is a graphic designer, and she needs a Postscript-compatible printer. I chose this printer primarily because it is the absolute cheapest Postscript-compatible Mac printer I could find. I think the next cheapest printer that was Postcript/Mac compatible was about 0 more. Oh, and I like that the printer handles card stock, which is also a bonus for my graphic-designer-wife.

Another note, please be aware that the printer does not include any cables (Ethernet or USB, which are both supported). Companies have not included cables with printers ever since I can remember, so I’m still surprised when people complain about this.