Scanner Buying Guide: Getting What You Need

Once upon a time, your choices in scanners were limited. Today, however, there are many different choices on the market. Do you want a flat bed scanner or a sheet fed model? What about using optical character recognition software? Your choice in scanners should be determined by what you will use the scanner for; documents, pictures, etc.

For a home user with plenty of space, a flat bed scanner can be a great choice. They offer convenience of use and you can find them in multiple configurations, combining printer, scanner and fax functions into a single unit. For all-in-one solutions, HP Scanners are a good value for home users. For users with less space, sheet fed scanners are very convenient and produce similar results. However, your usage should dictate which you purchase.

For instance, if you are simply going to be scanning black and white text documents, you will not need a scanner that offers photo enhancements or one that is geared towards graphics recognition. You may want to invest in a scanner that offers optical character recognition, though. This is a function of the scanner that results in a scanned document with editable text. This option is great for businesses in need of editing scanned documents and can easily take out several steps from their processes.

Flatbed Scanners:

Flatbed scanners are great if you are going to be scanning a large variety of different options. This is usually the best option for the home user, though the large footprint can be a drawback. The tradeoff is to buy a flatbed scanner that is only capable of scanning 8 ½ X 11 in sheets, though you'll not be able to scan legal sized documents. Canon Scanners offer low-priced, quality scanners for the home user. Often you can find a good flatbed scanner for under $100.

Another option with flatbed scanners is an automatic document feeder. This is a good option for businesses or home users that scan a large number of documents at one time. If you won't be scanning more than one document in a short time, you won't need to opt for this.

Sheet Fed Scanners:

Sheet fed scanners take up much less space than flat bed scanners and can be more portable, as well. Some models offer low power options that can be used simply with a USB cable, rather than being plugged into a wall. This is a great option for anyone that needs portable scanning and printing options, including business travelers and even business offices looking to reduce power consumption.

Sheet fed scanners are convenient for a number of users, though they also come with a wide range of options. Fujitsu Scanners have earned excellent reviews among business users, especially in the sheet fed scanners category. If you are a business user, you might want to consider one of these.

Features:

Regardless of what type of scanner you eventually get, you will still have to judge the best option for your needs. That means knowing what to look for in a good scanner (whether flat bed or sheet fed). Below, you'll find a list of the most important items for which to look.

Resolution:

The resolution capabilities of your scanner will dictate the quality of your scanned documents. For a business that only intends to scan text documents, a moderate resolution is fine, though combining that with optical character recognition software can help the company save money.

For a home user only interested in scanning photos and a few documents, a moderate resolution is also adequate. However, anyone involved in graphic arts or web design should opt for a higher end resolution to get the best scans possible. Graphic Designers often prefer Epson Scanners for this very reason.

Color depth is another consideration, especially for those in need of the best possible scans. Color depth is the amount (and quality) of color recognized by a scanner. For those that need to keep colors exactly the same shade, hue and saturation, this is a very important consideration.

Convenience of control is yet another consideration. For the home user, this is one of the primary considerations. How easy is the scanner to control? Can it be controlled directly from the scanner or only from the computer? Answering these questions will help you determine if the scanner is right for your home.

Finally, the software included with the scanner can be yet another important consideration. Higher end scanners will come with much more sophisticated software, yet that software might be too much for the average business or home user to bother with. Power users, though, will find that this software is ideal for them.