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.

[–] Zagorath@aussie.zone 3 points 10 months ago

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.

[–] pimeys@lemmy.nauk.io 2 points 10 months ago

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.

[–] Zagorath@aussie.zone 4 points 10 months ago (2 children)

I haven't bought a printer recently. Wtf is a smart printer?

[–] letsgo@lemm.ee 7 points 10 months ago

It's a printer that, when you tell it to print, tries its best to find a reason to refuse to do so.

[–] Sylvartas@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Most newer models that automatically make themselves available to all the devices connected to the network they are connected to, and manage the printer queue internally. Usually comes with a ton of shitty "features" e.g preventing you from printing black & white when you're out of yellow ink.
2-in-one scanner+printer machines are especially heinous with this, most of the ones I've used block you from scanning a document if you're out of any ink (yes, even when you're only trying to scan and not use the "copy" mode)

Somehow they found a way to make me miss having to boot the "printer PC" and wrangling windows' god awful printer queue system.