Fujitsu fi-4220C2 Scanner Review

The Fujitsu fi-4220C2 scanner is a compact and lightweight multi-use scanner. Its flatbed combined with its sheet-fed capabilities, as well as tons of great features, make it a great asset for any small business!

Dimensions:

• 9 in. x 22.9 in. x 22.4 in.
• 17.6 lbs.
• Really compact and lightweight, making it perfect for a cramped office.

Scan Resolution:

• 600 DPI.
• Pretty great scan quality. Text documents will look crisp and professional. Images will be a decent quality.

Speed:

• 25 PPM.
• Not great, but not awful. If you have a ton of scanning to do on a daily basis, though, you may want to look elsewhere for your scanning needs.

Media:

• Minimum scan size of 2.1 in. x 2.9 in.
• Maximum scan size of 8.5 in. x 14 in.
• The fi-4220C2 has a flatbed, making any 3D object that fits on it scan-able!

Other Features:

• Automatic document feeder (ADF) with 50 sheet capacity.
• Double feed and auto page size detection.
• Hard card scanning capability.
• Long document scanning.

Overall Rating: 9/10

This scanner basically has everything. It’s small and lightweight, yet still gives great scan resolution and versatility. Its flatbed and ADF combo make it usable for basically any situation, and its features make it an efficient choice. Really there’s only one reason that it didn’t get a perfect 10/10: its speed. It’s not awful, but it’s also not great. At just 25 PPM, it can be a deal breaker for offices that have a high daily scan-load.

Overall, the Fujitsu fi-4220C2 scanner is a great, versatile scanner that doesn’t break the bank. Its one flaw (its scan speed) is one that can be over-looked by many businesses that don’t have hundreds upon hundreds of sheets to scan every day. All in all, it’s a great machine for a great price! What more could you want? If you’re interested in buying one, they’re sold on Ebay and ScannerParts.Biz!

Fujitsu M3096E Scanner Review

 The Fujitsu M3096E scanner is an inexpensive, versatile flatbed scanner with sheet-fed capabilities. Its price and reliability could make it the perfect scanner for your small business!

Dimensions:

• 27.4 in. x 19.7 in. x 6.8 in.
• 38.6 lbs.
• It’s smaller than most flatbed scanners, and would probably fit in any small office without issue.

Scan Resolution:

• 400 DPI.
• Not amazing, but not awful, either.  Your text documents will look great, but if you have a lot of image scanning to do, you may want to look elsewhere.

Speed:

• 22 PPM.
• That’s pretty slow. The median for scanners is in the upper 30’s, so the M3096E is definitely lacking in this area.

Media:

• Minimum scan size of 6.8 in. x 8.3 in.
• Maximum scan size of 11.7 in. x 17 in.
• Flatbed scanner allows for 3D (and smaller paper) scanning capabilities.

Other Features:

• Automatic document feeder with 50 sheet capacity.

Overall Rating: 8/10

The Fujitsu M3096E is a great scanner for many businesses. It’s lacking in a lot of areas, as I’m sure you noticed, so why did it get a whopping 8/10? Price. This scanner is incredibly inexpensive, coming in at around 1/3 of the price of many other flatbed scanners. Yes, it leaves much to be desired, but if you just need a versatile scanner with a decent scan resolution that’ll get the job done without breaking the bank, this scanner is perfect.

Obviously if your business needs a faster, higher resolution, more gadget-y scanner, then the M3096E is not for you. But, I know there are plenty of businesses that just need a reliable scanner for a good price, in which case this Fujitsu model could be perfect. If you’re looking to buy one, they’re sold on Ebay and ScannerParts.Biz!

 

Bell and Howell 730DC Scanner Review

 The Bell and Howell 730DC scanner is a bulky sheet-fed/flatbed hybrid scanner that will give you an incredibly crisp scan. It could be perfect for a small business that needs a reliable, high-quality scanner!

Dimensions:

• 23 in. x 21 in. x 10 in.
• 61 lbs.
• Short and stubby. This is not a huge scanner, but it’s definitely not small either.
• It’s semi-wide and long, but doesn’t stand very tall. It’s decently heavy, too.

Scan Resolution:

• 600 DPI.
• Great resolution for any text document. They’ll come out crisp and clean!
• Image scans will be good but not great.

Speed:

• 38 PPM in black and white.
• 26 PPM in color.
• Right around the median (maybe a little on the low end) for scanning speed. It’s not going to be lightning fast, but it also won’t be excruciatingly slow.

Media:

• Minimum scan size of 4.1 in. x 5 in.
• Maximum scan size of 11.7 in. x 78 in.
• It has a flatbed scanner, making 3D objects fair game. Anything that can fit on the glass can be scanned.

Other Features:

• Automatic document feeder with 50 sheet capacity.
• Wow are there really no other features?

Overall Rating: 6.5/10

Am I being too harsh? I don’t think so. To be fair, the Bell and Howell 730DC does have some really great things about it that would fit in well with a lot of businesses. Some of those things are:

• Scan resolution. It will give you really great looking scans. Your images will be a little less great, but text document will look perfect.
• Versatility. The 730DC has both short and (very) long paper scanning capabilities, along with a flatbed that allows for any 3D object (that can fit on the glass) to be scanned, too. Basically, anything your business needs to scan can be scanned, within reason.

There are some downfalls to this scanner, though.

• The size. It’s not a huge issue, but it is kind of bulky and heavy. Not super small-office friendly.
• The speed. Again, it’s not a huge issue. But for a scanner that has a lot of versatility in what you can scan, it’d be nice for it to not take so long.
• The total lack of “extra” features. I like extras. An LCD display, OCR software, barcode recognition, something! The 730DC is definitely lacking when it comes to a “wow” factor.

Maybe you’re not as picky as me. Maybe you don’t need all the sparkle and shine, just a versatile, high-quality scanner. If that’s the case, the Bell and Howell 730DC is a great scanner for you! If you’re looking for one, they’re sold on Ebay and ScannerParts.Biz!

Panasonic KV-S7065C Scanner Review

 The Panasonic KV-S7065C flatbed scanner is a great marriage between a sheet-fed scanner and flatbed scanner. It has great features, good speed, and high scan resolution, meaning it could possibly be great for your business!

Dimensions:

• 29.7 in. x 20 in. x 11.4 in.
• 65 lbs.
• Though not necessarily considered huge, it’s definitely not small, either.
• You’ll want a table/desk specifically for the scanner, and moving it around could be a pain.

Scan Resolution:

• 600 DPI.
• Really great! All your text documents will look crisp, clean, and professional. Your images will be alright, too.
• If your business is centered around images (and scanning those images), I’d recommend a scanner with higher resolution capabilities. If not, go for it!

Speed:

• 60 PPM.
• Pretty fast! It can definitely handle high volumes of scans without making you wait.

Media:

• Minimum scan size of 1.9 in. x 2.75 in.
• Maximum scan size of 11.7 in. x 25 in.
• It has a flatbed, making 3D objects fair game. If it fits on the glass, you can scan it!

Other Features:

• Automatic Document Feeder with 200 sheet capacity.
• Switchable black or white flatbed background.
• Ultrasonic double-feed, size, and jam detection.

Overall Rating: 9/10

Obviously the Panasonic KV-S7065C is a great scanner. It has some great features that make it great for any business. Those include:

• Scan resolution. The KV-S7065C will provide you with great, crisp, professional-looking scans.
• Speed. At 60 PPM, it will keep your office running smoothly by not having anyone waiting around for the scanner.
• Versatility. The flatbed feature combined with the sheet-fed makes this scanner usable in basically any circumstance. 3D objects, long pages, stacks of pages, anything goes!

There were just a couple setbacks, though.

• The size. Like I said before, it’s not a huge issue. The scanner is somewhat big and semi-heavy. Maybe that’s okay for you, but maybe it’s not. In terms of finding space for it and having the ability to relocate the scanner, it could’ve done better.
• The “extras.” Granted, there are some extras that are pretty great. But, it’d be nice to have a few more to sweeten the deal. I’m talking digital panel that allows you to edit your scans more easily. Something that “wow-ed” me would’ve been nice.

Despite its small shortcomings, the Panasonic KV-S7065C is a fantastic scanner worthy of a place in any scan-heavy office. Its high points largely outweigh its setbacks, and it could be a great asset for your business! If you’re looking to buy one, they’re sold on Ebay and ScannerParts.Biz!

Ricoh IS330DC Flatbed Desktop Scanner Review

The Ricoh IS330DC Flatbed Desktop Scanner is one of the best scanners for its price. It comes with great features, versatility, and gives a great scan for a price much lower than more steeply priced scanners. Let’s get into the details.

Dimensions:

• 23.2 in. x 21.5 in. x 10.4 in.
• 61.7 lbs.
• The IS330DC is big, but not huge. You’d probably want some counter space cleared for it, and maybe a coworker to help you lift it.

Scan Resolution:

• Optical resolution of 600 DPI.
• That’s pretty good. Any text document will look great. Pictures are doable and will look professional, but if you’re always scanning photos you may want to upgrade.

Speed:

• 26 PPM (color).
• 38 PPM (B&W).
• A perfectly acceptable scan speed. It’s not crazy fast, but also not crazy slow.

Media:

• Maximum scan size: 11.7 in. x 17 in.
• It’s a flatbed scanner, so you have the ability to scan 3D objects as well.
• The maximum scan size is pretty big, which means you can probably scan literally anything you need.

Other Features:

• Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) with 50 sheet capacity allows you to leave your papers to be scanned without the hassle of loading each one individually.
• Auto document size detection makes your documents come out looking professional every time.
• Digital operations panel allows you to easily follow instructions and prompts to make scanning easier.

Overall Rating: 9/10

The Ricoh IS330DC scanner literally has everything. Almost. It would work amazingly well in almost any small or big business. Here’s why:

• Its scan resolution will work well for almost any of your scanning needs. Crisp, clean scans is what you’re looking at.
• It is a flatbed scanner with an automatic document feeder. You get the best of both worlds. The freedom of scanning anything on the flatbed, yet the convenience of an ADF that allows you to do other things while the scanner does its job.
• The extra features (like the digital panel and the auto document size detection) make your scanning process quick, easy, and painless.

However, the bulky size and low-end of the speed spectrum made the IS330DC not a complete home run. That being said, if you have ample space and aren’t worried about the speed, by all means this scanner could be perfect for you!

If you’re looking to buy the Ricoh IS330DC Flatbed Desktop Scanner, it’s sold on Ebay and ScannerParts.Biz!

Hewlett Packard HP N8460 ScanJet Review

The HP N8460 Scanjet is a flatbed scanner with many features conducive to making your business run more efficiently. HP is a trusted name in printers and scanners, and you can get one for an inexpensive price. Though bulky, it could be just right for you and your business.

Dimensions: 

• 24 in. x 16 in. x 10 in. and weighing 33 lbs.
• Though this scanner isn’t massive or incredibly heavy, it takes up more space than others due to it’s incredibly long width. To be fair, that width gives it a nice, big window on which to scan.

Scan Resolution: 

• Optical resolution of 600 DPI.
• Perfectly great for any text-based document.
• If you have a lot of images to scan, you may want to think about using a higher resolution scanner. For odds and ends images, the N8460 will be fine.

Speed:

• 35 PPM in black and white
• 20 PPM in color
• Not as fast as some other scanners, but also nothing to sniff at.

Media:

• Maximum size of 8.5 in. x 14 in.
• Because it’s a flatbed scanner, you can scan pretty much anything up to the maximum size. Any kind of paper, any size or shape, even 3D objects.

Other Features: 

• ADF with 100 sheet capacity.
• Ability to scan both front and back of a page in one pass.
• Panel with 4 command buttons.
• Hi-Speed USB connection.

Overall Rating: 8/10

The HP N8460 is a fantastic scanner for many businesses, small or large. Its versatility allows you to scan basically anything (within reason) quickly and without fuss. Why didn’t it get 10/10?

• Its resolution is good, but not amazing. Again, for any text-based scanning, the scan quality will be great. Images, though, could be somewhat lacking.
• It could be hard to store. It has a very long base, which might make it harder to place in an office that doesn’t have much room or counter space.
• Its speed is good, but not great. Unless you’re scanning giant mounds of paper, it probably won’t matter, but the scan speed for the N8460 is literally half of other scanners.

Obviously these issues are small and probably won’t have an effect on many businesses. If you think the HP N8460 could be right for your business, it’s sold on eBay and ScannerParts.Biz!

More questions on this scanner? Leave a comment or give us a call at (608) 276-5559

Unconventional Ways to Use a Scanner: The Scrapbook Edition!

Thanks for tuning in to “Unconventional ways to Use a Scanner!” We’re back with more great, out-of-the-box ideas for using your scanner for more than boring work.

Scrapbooking is a favorite pastime of many people, moms especially. If you’ve ever scrapbooked, you know just how much of a pain it can be, not to mention expensive. We’ve got 5 cool ways to use your scanner to make your scrapbook have a unique look while still coming in under budget.

• Scan post cards, stamps, or maps to make the background for a scrapbook page. Stamps, especially, can have really cool, destination-specific designs that will look perfect for your “Our Trip to Italy!” page. Just scan whatever it is, enlarge it, and print it! It’s that easy, it looks amazing, and you don’t have to pay outrageous prices for store-bought scrapbook pages.

• Scan old photos so that you can preserve the original. Pretty self-explanatory. We have a great post on how to scan your old photos if you’re not totally confident in your ability to scan! Scanning those old photos allows you to play around with the photo, knowing that the original is safe and sound.

• Scan those adorable drawings your kids bring home from school or even make at home. They make for great scrapbook pages to look back on when your kids are older and embarrassed to be seen with you. Add in some pictures of them working on their masterpiece, and you’ve got yourself a fantastic scrapbook page!

• Scan non-photo items that tell a story. Make a scan of your great-grandfather’s birth certificate or your mom’s naturalization to the US papers. These memorabilia say so much about your family history and are cool to show off. In the other direction, you can use baby ultrasounds to showcase future family history, as well. A simple scan preserves the original while still allowing you to use it for scrapbooking! 

• Scan 3D objects to give a more personal touch. Does your dog go crazy for a certain brand of dog treat? Scan the treat and incorporate it into your scrapbook page. Does your daughter have a blanket that she won’t go anywhere without? Scan it and make it a focal point of your page. There really is no limit to what you can scan and add to your scrapbook!

If you have more ideas for unconventional ways to use your scanner, we’d love to hear them! Leave us a comment!