I do prefer Linux and in fact I intend to run 3 server machines at the place: a router, a file server and a VM server for running experiments.

I thought that for adding networking functionality to an older printer it would be best to use some kind of dedicated hardware print server. Is it really best to use a PC box for that?

EDIT: I would think about hooking a printer to one of my 3 server boxes, but it sits far away from any of them (more than the maximum meters for USB cable)