Scanners

[JPreston]

Quite a boring topic next to all the 8800GTXs but there you go

Unlike anyone who has ever bought a PC from Dell or Time I don't have a scanner but actually think I quite want one.

I want to be able to file paper timesheets on the PC and to take electronic copies of expense receipts. Being able to send a fax from my PC would be useful as well.

I thought I wanted a flatbed scanner but I see that now there are combination printer/scanner/photocopiers (I suppose scanner + printer = photocopier anyway) for around £40+. Flatbeds aren't much cheaper. I don't really need a printer - I'd rather print to PDF, email, and print out at work if I have to - but these combination units do make the flatbeds look a bit rubbish.

Because I will be scanning receipts (my timesheets are also an odd size), should I still get a flatbed?

Also is there any basic document imaging software that I could use (to archive or call up specific documents etc), or should I just save everything as a PDF directly into folders?

And how can I send a scanned document as a fax?

Yours faithfully, confused of Tunbridge Wells

[Funkstar]

the scanning area of a dedicated scanner vs a multifunction device should be about the same - slightly wider and longer than A4.

The advantage of some of the multifunction devices, like the Brother or Lexmark units is they also have built in paper feeders.

The software that comes with it should let you do everything you want, including sending faxes etc. Do you have a modem already? i think some devices use their own anyway.

[JPreston]

Ah OK I thought the combination ones would work by feeders only, without having a flatbed area. TBH though I like those Canon LiDE flatbed (only) ones, very thin and powered by USB so just the thing for my cluttered desk

I don't have a phone point anywhere near my main PC so was hoping for a service like Skypeout only for faxes, i.e. Pay-As-You-Go to squirt documents down my cable broadband and have them arrive at a fax machine. But after googling a while all these services involve a monthly subscription - fair enough when they allocate you a fax number but I don't need the facility to receive faxes, just to send once in a blue moon - so I guess I'll have to chuck in an old modem, run a telephone extension upstairs and use something like Mighty Fax (or any other recommended fax application assuming nothing comes with the scanner?)

[Marcvs]

the combinations ones quality isnt quite as good as good dedi scanners but most are good enough for home work - ifd get the combi as occasionally the copying features will be useful!

[Supershanks]

I understand where you are coming from but do agree with Marcvs.

[Funkstar]

I would have thought the multifunction devices would be about the same as a basic single function device. For example a Canon printer/coppier/scanner would probably use the same parts as another Canon printer and scanner, just in the same box.

Granted if you want the best you would need to go for seperates, but if you are going for budget anyway, i can't see them being any worse.

[Supershanks]

People expect a multi function device to be cheaper than the sum of the parts (buying seperates). Therefore i doubt that any top quality components are used in the multi device. somewhat lower print & scanning speeds/quality can be expected. There is also some risk in that if a component fails u may lose both print & scan functions.

[JPreston]

See what you're saying about getting a combi unit, but even though I am not especially fussed about scanning quality or speed I just don't need an inkjet printer - I'd use it so rarely that the cartridges would just dry out/clog up through non-use. It would be so much more convenient to have a USB-powered, thin and portable canon Lide scanner instead, so I reckon I'll get one of them

[Fabula]

I have a canon Lide scanner, something like a lide 35. Anyway, it's fast, quiet, good quality and doesn't take up much space.

If you're not going to be using the printing features, just go for a nice small scanner.

[Supershanks]

I'm probably going to have to bite the bullet & get a new scanner this year. I have 2 use win 2k drivers in xp & doubt that these will work in vista. It's a good scanner but fairly aged. One thing for sure a new scanner will be a damn site cheaper than what i paid for the old 1.

luck

[EtheAv8r]

I have an Epsom Perfection 3170 Photo - not expensive and very good. I expect it has been superceded now.....

[Supershanks]

Yes mine's an Epson Gt 7000. Quality wise it's great like i say it's just outlived driver support