What Are Web-Based Printers?
Printers that connect to your computer and print documents on paper are nothing new. But some technology companies are looking to add a few tweaks to the digital printer's tried-and-true model. Web-based printers can directly access the Internet, find content based on the user's input and print it out without even turning on a computer.
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Identification
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A Web-based printer looks the same as many regular printers and prints much in the same way, but uses information and source material from the Internet. Using a visual panel on the front of the printer, users can connect to and access the Internet. From there, the user can print out any documents, pictures and other media displayed on websites or stored on cloud computing servers.
Advantages
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Web-based printers have several advantages. Because the printer uses the Web to retrieve files and documents that need to be printed, there is no need to boot up a computer and connect the printer. Many Web-based printers also require no hardware drivers (since they do not need a computer to print documents), nor do they require hardware updates. Many Web-based printers also include applications which you can use to send documents to your printer from other locations.
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Disadvantages
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The main disadvantage of a Web-based printer is the additional cost. While many of the models on the market cost roughly the same as a regular printer, chances are you already own or have access to a regular printer, making the investment unnecessary. However, this cost disadvantage is outweighed by your usage of the printer. If you frequently need to print documents at home while you are elsewhere, or have significant problems printing from your computer, you may find it well worth the investment.
Other Considerations
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You can also take advantage of Web-based printing without owning a Web-based printer. Major industrial printing companies such as Kinko's offer customers the ability to create and format documents through the company's website, then send them to the company for printing. You will still have to pick up the documents from the physical location, but you can take advantage of Web-based printing on a case by case basis without shelling out for a Web-based printer.
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