Can someone pls explain cloud printing to me

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hdh74
hdh74 Posts: 2,855 Forumite
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Hi, old biddy with hardly any tech knowledge so pls be gentle with me!
I need to replace my ancient, wired, printer shortly. From what I've seen pretty much all printers work via 'the cloud' now. Only I'm a bit confused as there seems to be more than one cloud.
Will I need to pay for 'a cloud' or is it something I can access free if I buy one of these printers? And do I need a specific cloud or any?
Sorry, hope that makes sense as it's all a mystery to me.
Thanks for any help.
2018 - £562  2019 - £130 2020 - £276  2021 - £106 2022 - £140
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  • neilmcl
    neilmcl Posts: 19,460 Forumite
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    It just means that any "cloud enabled" device on the network will be able to print to this printer without the need to install specific printer drivers etc, so your laptops, tablets, smartphones etc will have no compatibility issues connecting and printing to that printer. It's nothing you pay extra for or have to do anything special to set up.
  • glennevis
    glennevis Posts: 642 Forumite
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    Yes it is free but you do have to follow some simple instructions.



    Good article here, if you have a gmail account, which also lists which printers are cloud printers.


    https://support.google.com/cloudprint/answer/1686197?hl=en
  • hdh74
    hdh74 Posts: 2,855 Forumite
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    Ah brilliant, thank you very much!
    2018 - £562  2019 - £130 2020 - £276  2021 - £106 2022 - £140
  • GDB2222
    GDB2222 Posts: 24,673 Forumite
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    Can I ask what devices you use now?
    No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
  • hdh74
    hdh74 Posts: 2,855 Forumite
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    I have an ancient lenova pc and an old canon printer which won't work wirelessly as I can't get a driver compatible with windows 10 so using in with cable. But am replacing both shortly.
    2018 - £562  2019 - £130 2020 - £276  2021 - £106 2022 - £140
  • GDB2222
    GDB2222 Posts: 24,673 Forumite
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    edited 19 November 2019 at 10:12PM
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    If you’re just going to be using a PC in future, a wired printer is a good solution if they are in the same location. Wired printers tend to be cheaper, and it’s one less thing to go wrong. People want wireless mainly if they have mobile devices, eg tablets or laptops.
    No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
  • More4me
    More4me Posts: 258 Forumite
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    Just curious, If we are to use cloud printing services of Google, Apple, MS etc. would they retain the information regarding what we printed? Assuming that the printing process will go through their servers?
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  • Belenus
    Belenus Posts: 2,549 Forumite
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    hdh74 wrote: »
    ....I need to replace my ancient, wired, printer shortly....

    How much printing do you do?

    I do very little printing, maybe a few pages per week on average.

    I'm reasonable technically competent but I have never bothered with cloud printing. I don't see the point for my limited requirements.

    I used to have a wireless capable printer. The wireless function was very hit and miss so I usually used it in wired mode.

    I now have a USB wired laser printer that lives in a cupboard and only comes out when I need to print something.

    As the poster quoted below wrote, there is nothing wrong with wired printers for basic users so don't exclude them from your options.
    GDB2222 wrote: »
    If you’re just going to be using a PC in future, a wired printer is a good solution if they are in the same location. Wired printers tend to be cheaper, and it’s one less thing to go wrong. People want wireless mainly if they have mobile devices, eg tablets or laptops.
    A man walked into a car showroom.
    He said to the salesman, “My wife would like to talk to you about the Volkswagen Golf in the showroom window.”
    Salesman said, “We haven't got a Volkswagen Golf in the showroom window.”
    The man replied, “You have now mate".
  • hdh74
    hdh74 Posts: 2,855 Forumite
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    Last time we went looking all the printers seemed to be for cloud, but it was in staples which shut down, so maybe I need to go have another look, as I would be happy with wired again. Thanks everyone.
    2018 - £562  2019 - £130 2020 - £276  2021 - £106 2022 - £140
  • GDB2222
    GDB2222 Posts: 24,673 Forumite
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    Black Friday is a great time to buy a printer. Possibly!
    No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
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