OK, so here’s the problem. You want to use a Chromebook as your primary, and perhaps only, computing device. Why not? Well, one problem Chromebook users encounter is being able to print. Most printers, inkjet and laser alike, expect the presence of a Windows or Mac computer to provide printer drivers, to configure printer settings, and in some cases to share the printer with other devices on a network.
My quest was to find a (relatively inexpensive) printer that doesn’t require a PC for setup and is able to be printed to wirelessly without any other devices or setup (like Google Cloud Print) required. Starting with this website (Best Printer for Chromebook) I price-checked each printer recommended and settled on the HP Envy 4520 Wireless All-in-1 printer which I was able to land on Amazon for about $45 (Amazon return – about $65 new).
When the printer arrived, I went through the setup instructions provided. One thing HP really wants you to do is set up something called ‘Web Services’. I did this, then disabled it later. My recommendation is to NOT enable this feature if all you really want to do is print locally. If you accidentally set up Web Services, here are instructions to disable it:
Remove Web Services
- From the printer control panel display, touch ( ePrint ), and then touch (Web Services Settings).
- Touch Remove Web Services.
- Touch Yes to confirm.
Before you begin, make sure:
- The wireless network is set up and working properly.
- The printer and the computers that use the printer are on the same network (subnet). While connecting the printer, you might be prompted to enter the wireless network name (SSID) and a wireless password.
- The wireless network name is the name of your wireless network.
- The wireless password prevents other people from connecting to your wireless network without your permission. Depending on the level of security required, your wireless network might use either a WPA passphrase or WEP key. If you have not changed the network name or the security passkey since setting up your wireless network, you can sometimes find them on the back or side of the wireless router.
Following are the configuration settings you do want to set:
Set up the printer on your wireless network Use the Wireless Setup Wizard from the printer control panel display to set up wireless communication.
- From the printer control panel, touch ( Wireless ).
- Touch ( Settings ).
- Touch Wireless Setup Wizard.
- Follow the display instructions to complete the setup.
Optionally, you can connect wirelessly to the printer without a router
With Wi-Fi Direct, you can print wirelessly from a computer, smart phone, tablet, or other wireless-capable device—without connecting to an existing wireless network. Guidelines for using Wi-Fi Direct:
● Make sure your computer or mobile device has the necessary software. If you are using a mobile device (Smartphone, Tablet or Chromebook), make sure you have installed a compatible printing app (HP Smart – Printer Remote). For more information about mobile printing, visit www.hp.com/global/us/en/eprint/ mobile_printing_apps.html.
● Make sure Wi-Fi Direct for your printer is turned on. Wi-Fi Direct can be turned on using two modes: Automatic mode: Allows any mobile device to connect to your printer. Manual mode: Requires mobile devices to be confirmed at the printer control panel before they can connect to your printer. This mode provides increased security. Additional prompts or PINs are required before the connection can be established. I recommend automatic mode.
Note: Up to five computers and mobile devices can use the same Wi-Fi Direct connection. Wi-Fi Direct can be used while the printer is also connected either to a computer using a USB cable or to a network using a wireless connection. Wi-Fi Direct cannot be used to connect a computer, mobile device, or printer to the Internet.
To turn on Wi-Fi Direct
- From the printer control panel, touch (Wi-Fi Direct).
- Touch ( Settings ), and then touch to turn on Wi-Fi Direct.
- Touch ( Back ). The Wi-Fi Direct Details menu appears with the Wi-Fi Direct name and password.
To print from a wireless-capable mobile device that supports Wi-Fi Direct Make sure you have installed the latest version of HP Print Service Plugin on your mobile device. You can download this plugin from the Google Play application store.
- Make sure you have turned on Wi-Fi Direct on the printer.
- Turn on Wi-Fi Direct on your mobile device.
- From your mobile device, select a document from a print enabled application, and then select the option to print the document. The list of available printers appears.
- From the list of available printers, choose the Wi-Fi Direct name shown such as DIRECT-**- HP ENVY-4520 (where ** are the unique characters to identify your printer), and then follow the on-screen instructions on the printer and your mobile device.
- Print your document.
For extra credit, you can also use the HP Envy 4520 to scan documents to your Chromebook as follows:
Scan using Webscan
Webscan is a feature of the embedded web server that lets you scan photos and documents from your printer to your computer using a web browser. By default, Webscan is off.
To enable Webscan
- Open the embedded web server.
- Click the Settings tab.
- In the Security section, click Administrator Settings.
- Select Webscan to enable Webscan.
- Click Apply and then click OK.
To scan using Webscan:
- Load the original print side down on the right front corner of the scanner glass.
- Open the embedded web server.
- Click the Scan tab.
- Click Webscan in the left pane, change any settings, and then click Start Scan.
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HP Envy 4520 All-in-1 printer specs:
- Main functions of this HP color inkjet photo printer: copy, scan, wireless printing, AirPrint, two-sided duplex printing, touchscreen
- Mobile printing: print from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet with the free HP ePrint app, easily print from your iPhone or iPad with AirPrint, print without a network using Wireless Direct printing
- 2-sided printing: Allows you to print on both sides of the page, cutting your paper use by up to 50%
- Borderless photos are printed right to the edge of the paper.
- Print, scan, or copy quickly and easily with the 2.2-inch (5.5 cm) display
- Borderless printing: Print borderless 4 x 6-inch photos and documents up to 8.5 x 11 inches.
- Compatible ink types-Dye-based (color) and pigment-based (black)
And although HP would really like you to buy their replacement ink cartridges, and try to make it difficult to do otherwise, one Amazon review recommends “When you order new cartridges buy 63XL from Jarbo for about $25.00 for one black and one tri-color.” That’s less than half the price of HP ink, so it’s worth a try. And in a pinch, you can even use this printer just fine with a single cartridge (called ‘single cartridge mode’):
Use single-cartridge mode
Use the single-cartridge mode to operate the HP ENVY 4520 series with only one ink cartridge. The single cartridge mode is initiated when an ink cartridge is removed from the ink cartridge carriage. During single cartridge mode, the printer can copy documents, copy photos, and print jobs from the computer. Install two ink cartridges in the HP ENVY 4520 series to exit single-cartridge mode.
In closing, having just received this printer, I don’t have much personal experience with it, using it exclusively with my Chromebook. In the past, I’ve not had a great experience with HP products or with inkjet printers in general, and tend to be a Brother laser printer fan, but this HP printer is reasonably priced, WiFi Direct setup can be done by mere mortals (not always the case with modern printers), print speed is good and output quality looks pretty darn good.
So if you’re looking for a printer to use with your Chromebook, give the HP Envy 4520 a try. I think you’ll be happy with your purchase.
