Sheet-Fed Scanners

[The Monkey]

I want to go as paperless as possible at home. Receipts, manuals, invoices--physically storing all that crap is making me nuts. I use sheet fed scanners at work all the time and I love them. But the industrial-strength versions of these things are too expensive.

So, based on some initial research, I have identified the following two products:

Fujitsu ScanSnap S1500M Scanners | Sheetfed Office Scanners : FUJITSU United States

The Neat Company - NeatDesk for Mac

Your job is to help me decide on one of the above, or find another competent machine (not a lackey).

EDIT: Oh, and it ideally should be Mac-compatible.

Go!

Edited May 6, 2009 by The Monkey
to add more stuff.

[tkam]

Why not just get a multi-function copy/scan/print device? Probably be a lot cheaper.

[grawk]

sheet feeders get jammed up with non-standard paper, too. Ask me how I know

[The Monkey]

So is an all-in-one basically the same thing?

[grawk]

All in one printers with sheet feeders have the same problem. it's possible to work around it, it just takes a lot of tape

[The Monkey]

Why are the non-all-in-ones so much more expensive? Ripoff?

[grawk]

I'd have to guess they're higher resolution, etc. But for scanning receipts, etc. there's not gonna be a lot of difference.

[The Monkey]

Seems like there's a big speed advantage to the single-function units, but I guess that's only as useful as how many big docs I have.

[luvdunhill]

so, this is probably a stupid idea.....

But, what about a tripod and a camera? ... I can think of a number of arrangements that might work to set it up, but some target that you place the document, something to hold the camera, and a little remote control for the camera are the basic ingredients. ... then you don't have to connect to a computer and "acquire" and all that, just put the item down, turn on the camera and since it's already pointed at the right location, just press the button on the remote.... once you run out of room on the memory card, just copy it to your computer.

[grawk]

that's a great suggestion.

[The Monkey]

It's clever, but a little bit onerous for a tax return.

[n_maher]

I'm quite glad right now that my taxes are not this complicated.

[grawk]

I think with the right setup it'd work fine for a tax return, unless oyu mean deducting the camera

[grawk]

I'm quite glad right now that my taxes are not this complicated.

I wish I made enough to have complicated taxes

[The Monkey]

I don't make enough AND I have complicated taxes.

[Voltron]

I need to complicate my taxes some more because I give shitloads of what I make to Arnold and Obama.

[Dusty Chalk]

I wish my taxes were complicated enough wherein it was worth taking anything more than the standard deduction.

[stevieo]

have your accountant email you the pdf file.

[tyrion]

have your accountant email you the pdf file.

When are you coming down to visit? I guess we will see you in LA in 3 weeks.

[AlanY]

If you're looking to scan individual receipts, the Neat products are good. Most sheet feeders can't handle them. If you're looking to scan manuals and books, it's worth considering a book scanner like the OpticBook 3600. I really liked mine, but then the lamp died and it's absolutely impossible to get replacement lamps from PlusTek. Not sure about home sheetfeeders, though I've heard the lowest end HP device is not worth the money.

[stevieo]

When are you coming down to visit? I guess we will see you in LA in 3 weeks.

i wish. i blew my kids' inheritance on legal fees in a law suit.

[Voltron]

Liar. It was dice. Plus, I know you will be showing up knocking on my door asking for a place to sleep and generally annoying everyone, so don't try it.