this post was submitted on 13 Nov 2023
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What's a smart printer?
A printer that supports network print, typically through an Internet service.
I'd say network printers are fine, but ones that require a 'cloud' connection can gag on my dong. I have a brother business aio printer hooked up via network and it's been everything I wanted from it, after our Epson shit the bed a couple years ago.
Why did you need the internet for network printing? You’ve been able to print over network for decades without needing the internet. I stopped using printers 15 years ago both at home and at work so had no idea this had happened. In a rare situation where I do need to print I use the work MFP or go to the library and pay 20c a page. Happens once every 2 or 3 years.
Okay I made my previous comment before seeing this one. Please disregard it.
I'd like to second the opinion of the other replies here. I love the fact that my printer is networked. I could never go back to having a printer that needs to be connected to the computer I'm printing from.
But it's also just a basic device attached to my local network. I could maybe get behind a printer with optional cloud connectivity, but absolutely do not buy a printer that requires a cloud connection to work.
The ones you plug to your intranet with an Ethernet cable, and which talk the common lpr protocol. Those are really good. E.g. the Brother laser printers.