| Once upon a time, your choices in scanners were | | | | anyone that needs portable scanning and printing |
| limited. Today, however, there are many different | | | | options, including business travelers and even |
| choices on the market. Do you want a flat bed | | | | business offices looking to reduce power |
| scanner or a sheet fed model? What about using | | | | consumption. |
| optical character recognition software? Your | | | | Sheet fed scanners are convenient for a number |
| choice in scanners should be determined by what | | | | of users, though they also come with a wide |
| you will use the scanner for; documents, pictures, | | | | range of options. Fujitsu Scanners have earned |
| etc. | | | | excellent reviews among business users, especially |
| For a home user with plenty of space, a flat bed | | | | in the sheet fed scanners category. If you are a |
| scanner can be a great choice. They offer | | | | business user, you might want to consider one of |
| convenience of use and you can find them in | | | | these. |
| multiple configurations, combining printer, scanner | | | | Features: |
| and fax functions into a single unit. For all-in-one | | | | Regardless of what type of scanner you |
| solutions, HP Scanners are a good value for home | | | | eventually get, you will still have to judge the best |
| users. For users with less space, sheet fed | | | | option for your needs. That means knowing what |
| scanners are very convenient and produce similar | | | | to look for in a good scanner (whether flat bed or |
| results. However, your usage should dictate which | | | | sheet fed). Below, you'll find a list of the most |
| you purchase. | | | | important items for which to look. |
| For instance, if you are simply going to be | | | | Resolution: |
| scanning black and white text documents, you will | | | | The resolution capabilities of your scanner will |
| not need a scanner that offers photo | | | | dictate the quality of your scanned documents. |
| enhancements or one that is geared towards | | | | For a business that only intends to scan text |
| graphics recognition. You may want to invest in a | | | | documents, a moderate resolution is fine, though |
| scanner that offers optical character recognition, | | | | combining that with optical character recognition |
| though. This is a function of the scanner that | | | | software can help the company save money. |
| results in a scanned document with editable text. | | | | For a home user only interested in scanning |
| This option is great for businesses in need of | | | | photos and a few documents, a moderate |
| editing scanned documents and can easily take | | | | resolution is also adequate. However, anyone |
| out several steps from their processes. | | | | involved in graphic arts or web design should opt |
| Flatbed Scanners: | | | | for a higher end resolution to get the best scans |
| Flatbed scanners are great if you are going to be | | | | possible. Graphic Designers often prefer Epson |
| scanning a large variety of different options. This | | | | Scanners for this very reason. |
| is usually the best option for the home user, | | | | Color depth is another consideration, especially for |
| though the large footprint can be a drawback. | | | | those in need of the best possible scans. Color |
| The tradeoff is to buy a flatbed scanner that is | | | | depth is the amount (and quality) of color |
| only capable of scanning 8 ½ X 11 in sheets, | | | | recognized by a scanner. For those that need to |
| though you'll not be able to scan legal sized | | | | keep colors exactly the same shade, hue and |
| documents. Canon Scanners offer low-priced, | | | | saturation, this is a very important consideration. |
| quality scanners for the home user. Often you | | | | Convenience of control is yet another |
| can find a good flatbed scanner for under $100. | | | | consideration. For the home user, this is one of |
| Another option with flatbed scanners is an | | | | the primary considerations. How easy is the |
| automatic document feeder. This is a good option | | | | scanner to control? Can it be controlled directly |
| for businesses or home users that scan a large | | | | from the scanner or only from the computer? |
| number of documents at one time. If you won't | | | | Answering these questions will help you determine |
| be scanning more than one document in a short | | | | if the scanner is right for your home. |
| time, you won't need to opt for this. | | | | Finally, the software included with the scanner can |
| Sheet Fed Scanners: | | | | be yet another important consideration. Higher |
| Sheet fed scanners take up much less space than | | | | end scanners will come with much more |
| flat bed scanners and can be more portable, as | | | | sophisticated software, yet that software might |
| well. Some models offer low power options that | | | | be too much for the average business or home |
| can be used simply with a USB cable, rather than | | | | user to bother with. Power users, though, will find |
| being plugged into a wall. This is a great option for | | | | that this software is ideal for them. |