These days, many office appliances perform multiple tasks, and multifunction printers can typically serve the scanning needs of most. Nonetheless, dedicated scanners are still necessary for those who scan frequently. There's a lot to consider when choosing a new scanner, so we've compiled a list of best scanners to help you with your choice. (See also: Shopping Calendar: The Best Time to Buy Anything)
A scanner is an electronic device that converts text, drawings, and photographs into a digital form that can be viewed and manipulated on a computer. Flatbed scanners are the traditional scanners where the object to be scanned is placed on top of a glass window. Document scanners are useful for scanning a large number of pages (relatively) quickly. Handheld scanners require you to do most of the arm work, but are often portable in case you need to scan on-the-go.
For those looking to scan photographs, the Epson Perfection V700 Photo Scanner is the scanner to beat. This scanner produces high quality photo and film scans at a resolution of 6,400 dpi. Users claim that both the software package as well as the scanner itself are easy to use. The scanner is also capable of fixing dust, scratches, and other physical defects from photos, making your old photos look brand new. Currently $629.00 on Amazon.
Great for small- to medium-sized offices, the Epson WorkForce Pro scanner is great for handling your document-scanning needs. The scanner is capable of scanning 25 pages per minute and has a 75-page automatic document feeder. Its duplex-scanning capabilities also means it can scan both sides of a page at once, making it truly easy for people who need to scan through multiple pages of documents. Currently $341.00 on Amazon.
For those who want a simple, inexpensive scanner that gets the job done, look no further. The Canon CanoScan LiDE is perfect for scanning the occasional document or photo. Simple to use, all you need to do is plug the scanner into your computer via a USB port, and you're ready to go. With a resolution of 2,400 dpi, it produces great document scans and reasonably high quality photo scans. The scanner even has a rudimentary “photo restore” feature to bring color back to old photos. Currently $49.00 on Amazon.
The best combination of performance, versatility, and price, this version of the Canon CanoScan is a very well-reviewed multipurpose scanner. With a maximum resolution of 9,600 dpi, this scanner produces excellent document and photo scans, but is not the best at handling film. Also, while faster than other flatbed scanners, it may not be the best choice for those that need to scan large volumes. Finally, the sweeten the deal, it comes with two software programs for image editing. Currently $149.99 on Amazon.
The Fujitsu ScanSnap S1100 is perfect for those who need to scan on-the-go. Weighing less than a pound, it easily fits into a laptop bag and is powered through the use of a single USB cable. With a resolution of 600 dpi, it won't reproduce the best photos, but for scanning short documents, business cards, and receipts, it is exceptional. Currently $187.23 on Amazon.
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I like the Fujitsu ScanSnap simply because it is very compact and the price is reasonable for what you get out of the box.