Office - Techs Motion https://www.techsmotion.com Sat, 07 Jan 2023 14:48:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 How to Increase Print Speed https://www.techsmotion.com/how-to-increase-print-speed/ https://www.techsmotion.com/how-to-increase-print-speed/#respond Sun, 12 Dec 2021 14:44:45 +0000 https://www.techsmotion.com/?p=15420 It’s a fascinating revelation for many businesses that you can boost printer speeds even on machines you already possess. While you might believe that a printer must produce at a fixed speed defined by the manufacturer, many machines do provide some level of flexibility over this. Things like the internet you use, wrongly set security measures, the clarity of the output, the paper you are using, and even if you had a most recent firmware loaded can all have an impact on how quickly you can print. In certain situations, you may even update the parts of an older printer, such as the CPU and RAM. However, it’s best to do so directly from the manufacturer rather than through a...

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how to increase print speed
It’s a fascinating revelation for many businesses that you can boost printer speeds even on machines you already possess. While you might believe that a printer must produce at a fixed speed defined by the manufacturer, many machines do provide some level of flexibility over this.

Things like the internet you use, wrongly set security measures, the clarity of the output, the paper you are using, and even if you had a most recent firmware loaded can all have an impact on how quickly you can print.

In certain situations, you may even update the parts of an older printer, such as the CPU and RAM. However, it’s best to do so directly from the manufacturer rather than through a 3rd party, which may void the warranty.

Here are several strategies you may use to get the quickest print speeds available.

Check the Connection

Your network may also have a role. If the connection is crowded or if there are problems with your server or network settings, you may observe that documents do not transfer as rapidly to the printer, slowing down the printing speed. To remedy this issue, ensure that any network difficulties are resolved.

Furthermore, the network you choose – whether wired or wireless – as well as the performance of the network actually – will influence print speed. These concerns will not have a significant influence, and it’s also true that a stronger network connection will enhance the overall performance to transfer any print job to the printer.

Quality Settings

One of the significant changes you would see in printer output speed is the quality setups. Simply measure the printer resolution; if you’re familiar with printing in full resolution mode, then start changing to the draft output setting. You will realize a considerable increase in performance for all documents.

Interestingly, many people continue to utilize the same quality levels for months and months. But, not all document requires the maximum quality setting. For certain models, decreasing the quality can even double the speed.

It’s also worth weighing the benefits of color printing vs. black-and-white printing. Color outputs print slowly, and therefore if you choose black and white print for initial papers when you don’t need color, you can enhance print speed.

Firmware Updates

The majority of printers don’t gain significantly in terms of speed after installing a new firmware upgrade. In reality, a printer is certified at a certain output speed dependent on the parts being used in this device as well as the CPU utilized in that printer.

Nevertheless, changing the firmware may bring some performance gains. For example, a photo printer maker may provide a new drafts mode option that consumes less ink and produces faster results. It’s possible that a unique setting relating to an “eco” mode will be added that would make printing even quicker because it consumes less ink.

A fresh firmware may also boost print speed marginally by employing new programming techniques or enhancing print speed via the printhead.

Processor and RAM Upgrades

Even though these techniques are not frequently recognized or employed, there is a way to boost printer speed by updating the components within a printer. In certain circumstances, this may imply increasing the device’s RAM, which means the printer can handle more data.

The print rate can rise with the CPU since the printer can handle more tasks at once while processing documents quicker. However, remember that this does not affect printhead performance.

Checking Security Features

Examine the security settings on your device to ensure they are not interfering with the printing process. If your printer is not linked to any external network and you are printing documents straight from your device, you can disable any antivirus software that is causing the printer to slow down.

However, if you are printing over the internet, never entirely disable your computer’s security firewall when printing, as hackers have been known to steal information directly from the printer itself.

Bypass Spooler

The spooler located inside the printer is the halfway point that serves as a waiting station for data in the event of a lag in the printing procedure.

For speedy systems, you may completely avoid the spooler by selecting the “Print straight to the printer” option on the printer. This will remove one of the phases in the printing process, allowing the process to go more quickly.

Print in Black Ink Only

If you are using the inkjet printer/laser printer, you know that most color printers make black and white prints utilizing the different ink colors present in your inkjet until you specify in the printer’s control or print dialogue box that the print job must be done using black ink.

This refers to the contrast between multiple passes of ink and a single pass of black ink. This suggestion, like printing with a lower print resolution, it’ll save you both time and cash and increase print speed.

Upgrade Software

Finally, ensure that the printer software is up to date. If, and from the other side, the printer, even when fully loaded, works at less-than-desirable speeds, it may be time to upgrade to a quicker model.

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Canon G7020 Review https://www.techsmotion.com/canon-g7020-review/ https://www.techsmotion.com/canon-g7020-review/#respond Wed, 12 May 2021 14:32:14 +0000 https://www.techsmotion.com/?p=13747 If you’re looking for one of the best printers out there for both home and office, here comes the Canon G7020 review. The Canon G7020 is both a paper monster and an ink monster, and if you want to learn more about inkjet printers, such as the G7020, go ahead and read our article on laser vs inkjet printers. What it is To describe it succinctly, the G7020 is a cartridgeless multifunction inkjet printer, and by that we mean this monster uses bulk ink. Obviously, this translates into low operating costs, i.e. low cost per copy, and that’s a good thing if you’re not ready to spend a lot of money on this stuff. Another cool thing about the Canon...

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canon g7020 review
If you’re looking for one of the best printers out there for both home and office, here comes the Canon G7020 review.

The Canon G7020 is both a paper monster and an ink monster, and if you want to learn more about inkjet printers, such as the G7020, go ahead and read our article on laser vs inkjet printers.

What it is

To describe it succinctly, the G7020 is a cartridgeless multifunction inkjet printer, and by that we mean this monster uses bulk ink. Obviously, this translates into low operating costs, i.e. low cost per copy, and that’s a good thing if you’re not ready to spend a lot of money on this stuff.

Another cool thing about the Canon G7020 is that it’s very affordable for a wireless supertank/megatank printer; on top of printing, you also get a copier, a scanner, a fax machine (who uses that anymore?), and ADF with mobile printing.

Before you ask, ADF means automatic document feeder, and it’s a nice feature to have printers, photocopiers, fax machines or scanners wherein a stack of paper put into the machine and is then automatically fed through it, allowing the user to print, scan or copy without having to manually place each page into the machine.

Basically, this beast feeds itself paper, and that’s awesome, especially in a busy/office-like environment.

Should you buy it?

Now, if you don’t have enough money to get a fancy (and crazy expensive) color laser printer, the G7020 can make for a solid alternative, delivering low running costs and high productivity. So, if you’re trying to dig the internet for the best printer for home/office and your budget is less than five hundred bucks, just go for it.

Why size matters

canon g7020 side

The Canon G7020 is a stylish multipurpose printer which is an excellent alternative to people who regard small AIO printers as not having enough power for medium to large print volume, yet opting for bulky and expensive office printers is too much. However, the Canon G7020 has it where it counts, in the size department respectively, as it features a huge ink reservoir that has enough juice for all your printing needs, that if you’re not Guttenberg.

Solid Build Quality Meets Compact Design

This Canon printer is the definition of the phrase “design matters”. So, if you care at least a bit about interior design, choosing a printer that matches your working environment is important, and here Canon did a great job with the G7020.

Basically, the printer looks as professional as an iMac, featuring a full-black casing that will blend easily with your interior, hence there’s no issue with redecorating your desk to match your new Canon machine.

Also, build quality is solid, full plastic obviously, but high quality; the machine measures 9.1 inches high by 15.9 inches wide by 14.5 inches deep and weighs a respectable 21 pounds.

You know that we love heavy gear, because heavy is good, heavy is reliable, etc. However, keep in mind that if your desktop is limited in terms of real-estate, you might want to find a separate place for this printer, or buy another desk, why not?

The G7020 sports a tiny 1.8’’ monochrome display, which looks vintage, as in like a vintage Casio calculator. On top of that, you’ll get a control panel with various buttons (including numerical) that allow you to configure how the machine operates and what not.

The ADF gizmo is located on top, and since you have an automatic document feeder, it’s pretty obvious that the machine features automatic duplexing for your efficiency. On the back, you’ll find an extendable input tray for higher input capacity.

The huge ink reservoir is placed on the front (a smart touch by the way) for easy access.

A Mega-Beefy MegaTank

Canon is betting big on bulk ink printers, and this particular model features the company’s MegaTank technology for high productivity/low cost/low maintenance. This printer is perfectly capable of scanning, making copies, sending faxes and anything in between, including making configuration changes on the fly, and as for paper handling, the ADF can hold 350 plain paper sheets. On top of that, you can stick 20 snapshot-size sheets of premium photo paper inside the main drawer via a small insert.

Tech Stuff

The Canon G7020 comes rated at 5000 prints per month; more precisely, this is its official duty cycle. Even if this is not exactly what you may call a work horse, it’s still pretty good for a $300ish printer.

Speaking of tech stuff, the printer features the company’s FINE inkjet technology with 1792 nozzle configuration for detailed printing, and supports up to 4800 x 1200 dpi print resolution, which makes it ideal for both printing detailed color images or documents that require sharp and crisp black text.

Obviously, you can print graphics and docs, as well as illustrations and photos, including borderless printing 4 inches by 6 inches for creative projects or your private albums. The copier machine can handle up to 99 copies, which is pretty good, and you’ll get a plethora of copying features, such as auto exposure, borderless copy manual duplex copy and collation copy.

The scanner thing is equally impressive, as it features 1200 x 2400 dpi resolutions for clear documents on screen on the flatbed scanner, and supports up to 8.5 inches by 11.7 inches, not to mention cool features such as scan to PC, auto scan mode, multi-page PDF auto, wireless scanning, scan to Canon PRINT app, and document removal reminder.

The fax feature is somehow obsolete now, but it’s nice to have it anyway, and it comes with all sorts of goodies, including caller rejection, dial search, duplex printing, and memory transmission, with a 3 second transmission speed and a memory capacity of 50 pages.

The printer is rated at 13 ppm/pages per minute before you ask, which is not great, not terrible. Without boring you too much with specs, you must learn that this printer has relatively low speed, especially for color and duplex printing.

Output quality

canon g7020 side view 2

Overall quality is quite good, but not fantastic as expected from a relatively affordable printer. Graphics and gradients are well printed, text is sharp and clear, and when it comes to color printing, there’s no competition with laser printers, obviously. However, for photo printing, the G7020 does a great job for what it is, delivering nice details and being quite dependable for creative projects and the like.

We would say that output quality is about average for a family-oriented inkjet.

Refillable Ink

This Canon printer uses refillable ink wells, and since it was designed this way, the refilling process is easy and clean. The wells open from the top, with lids that click into place for secure closure, they’re easy to open and you can refill them on the fly, in the middle of the job, if required. In this regard, the G7020 is awesome, and due to its huge reservoir, you need not worry about running out of ink.

The black ink well is large enough for up to 6k pages, and the CYK color ink wells can last for up to 7,700 pages (depending on density, obviously).

Since we’re talking refillable ink wells, this printer will save you a lot of money compared to cartridges. Another cool thing is that you’ll get a full set of CYK ink and 3 black bottles, which means you have enough ammo to print thousands of pages before having to spend money in refills. Printing costs are less than a penny per page, i.e. 0.3 cents for monochrome and 0.9 for color prints.

Frankly, I don’t think it can get lower than that.

Connectivity and Mobile App

The Canon G7020 offers quite a lot of connectivity options, in order to improve your printing experience. Standard connectivity includes USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi direct and Wi-Fi, but if you hook up the printer with your smartphone via the dedicated app, you’ll get mobile printing through Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Wireless PictBridge, Canon PRINT app, and Mopria.

The printing software delivered with the machine includes Canon Easy-PhotoPrint Editor and PosterArtist Lite, which are pretty good for editing pics before printing. Also, the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app enables you to perform setup and operations from your tabet or smartphone, or even remote management of your printer queue.

You can even print docs and photos from social media via the app, or from shared documents sites, like Dropbox, Evernote, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive.

Bottom line, the Canon PIXMA G7020 is an efficient and highly innovative multi-purpose printer, with solid features and can print from just about any online service, which makes it capable of handling just about anyone’s needs.

Pros:

  • Good quality output
  • Amazing value for money
  • ADF, auto duplexing printing
  • Low running costs
  • Solid software bundle
  • Impressive feature set
  • Lots of connectivity options
Cons:

  • Slow print speed
  • Dated control panel
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Canon Pixma MG3620 Review https://www.techsmotion.com/canon-pixma-mg3620-review/ https://www.techsmotion.com/canon-pixma-mg3620-review/#respond Wed, 21 Apr 2021 11:01:31 +0000 https://www.techsmotion.com/?p=13333 Today we have a special treat for you: the Canon Pixma MG3620 review. The thing about the Pixma MG3620 is that it offers great value for money, i.e. it plays (and wins) in the best bang for the buck category. So, if you’re looking for the best photo printer on a budget, this is it. Cut and dried. For all intents and purposes, the review should end here, as in this is the tl;dr version for people on a hurry. As in, if you’re on a tight budget, and by tight we mean you’re not ready to spend more than 100 bucks on an inkjet printer, it doesn’t get much better than the Canon Pixma MG3620. At least in this...

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canon pixma mg3620 review
Today we have a special treat for you: the Canon Pixma MG3620 review. The thing about the Pixma MG3620 is that it offers great value for money, i.e. it plays (and wins) in the best bang for the buck category.

So, if you’re looking for the best photo printer on a budget, this is it. Cut and dried. For all intents and purposes, the review should end here, as in this is the tl;dr version for people on a hurry. As in, if you’re on a tight budget, and by tight we mean you’re not ready to spend more than 100 bucks on an inkjet printer, it doesn’t get much better than the Canon Pixma MG3620. At least in this world it doesn’t.

Also, while we’re at it, check out our highly informative article about laser vs inkjet printers, and see what’s what before you buy. If you want to learn more, keep reading, alright?

What it is

Canon is well known for two things: digital cameras and printers, and the Pixma MG3620 makes for a fast scanning, high image quality and fast color copying machine. To put it another way, if you’re looking for the quintessential multi-purpose printer with all the necessary features at an affordable price, you will not go wrong with this baby.

Basically, this is a barebones home/office multifunction machine, a jack of all trades, master of none. The Pixma MG3620 is designed for users who are not ready to spend money for fancy features they don’t really need. What does it mean?

Well, for example, this device doesn’t sport an eye-candy LCD control panel for running stand-alone operations. After all’s said and done, if you’re good at finding good deals, you can buy this machine for something like $80, so don’t expect miracles.

Also, you won’t get cool features like ADF (automatic document feeder) for scanning/copying multipage documents. If you’re into that kind of stuff, look elsewhere and prepare to spend more. However, you’ll get better than average speeds and even a duplexer for making 2-sided prints.

So, after all’s said and done, the Pixma MG3620 is not a bad deal at all, provided you know what you get, as in “caveat emptor”. We’ve saved the best for last though: despite its affordable price, this machine delivers high-quality prints, and that’s exactly what makes it awesome.

Design

canon pixma mg3620 front view
In terms of design, this Pixma MG3620 looks elegant in all-white/all-black (there are 2 colorways available) and it will feel at home basically anywhere: home and office alike. To the left of the lid, which takes up most of the real-estate of the top of the machine you’ll find a control panel with physical buttons.

The controls allow you to switch between plain letter-size paper and 4 x 6-inch photo paper, but not other sizes. Obviously, since this is an entry-level printer, you only get one paper tray, hence when it’s time, you’ll have to switch to photo paper if you’re looking to print photos. However, this is a minor inconvenience.

Since there’s no fancy touchscreen display, you’ll get buttons for color and black-and-white copies, and, strangely enough for gen-z’ers aka “zoomers”, you’ll have to actually press the “copy” button multiple times to make extra-copies. We know, that sounds very low tech and all that, but life is hard.

All jokes aside, you can also make copies to photo paper, but keep in mind that you can only use 4 x 6-inch photo paper. Moreover, there’s no way to do complex copy jobs, since there’s no copying software to speak of. So, when we told you “barebones” in the preamble, we meant that literally.

Speed

As expected from its more than reasonable price tag, this printer is pretty far from being a speed demon. To be more precise, the wireless Pixma MG3620 can churn out 6.4 pages per minute, which is not bad compared to other devices in its price range.

A five-page document takes approximately 47 seconds according to our tests, and if you’re using the Quiet Mode, text printing will get slowed down a little bit, so be advised. For example, a single page of text will be printed in something like 16 seconds, yet on Quiet Mode it takes 23-24 seconds.

Considering these metrics, we can safely state that the Pixma MG3620 is an excellent printer for students, but if speed is the name of the game, there are better options on the market. We must mention that the Pixma MG3620 excels at printing graphics on plain paper.

Copy and Scan Speed

If you’re looking at making color copies, you won’t be disappointed, as the Pixma MG3620 is one of the fastest models we’ve ever tested, spitting out a copy in 27 seconds. Considering the price asked, this is nothing short of flabbergasting.

Scanning is another department where the Pixma MG3620 really shines, being able of capturing a 600-dpi image of a photo in 39.4 seconds, which is outstanding for an under $100 machine. Scanning a black-and-white PDF at 300 dpi is also impressive at 9 seconds, so there you have it.

If these specific metrics are important to you, the Pixma MG3620 is a must-have.

Print Quality

The MG3620 uses dye and pigment (black cartridge and color cartridge) inks, i.e. both dye and cartridge in the same time, with the general principle being (in Canon’s view at least) that dye inks offer more vibrant color, while pigment ink delivers sharper, heavier text.

According to our testing, this stands true, as the Pixma MG3620 prints sharp and heavy text on standard paper; however, if you use high-quality inkjet paper, you will be surprised (in a good way) by the results, as this printer will deliver book-worthy text with extremely sharp edges comparable with a laser printer’s output when printing from a text document.

If you’re using the duplexer, be advised: text will look a tad fuzzy, even if you go for high-quality inkjet paper. The dye-based color inks are only used by the machine when you go for 2-sided prints, as the printer mixes them together to produce a composite black, and also prints lighter deliberately to prevent the ink from going-through (and showing) on the other side of the paper.

Overall graphics quality is good, with dark shade and rich colors, while the text is amply sharp. The same goes for printing glossy photos; photo scans also look great, with accurate/rich colors and sharp details. No complaints here, as you can imagine, and we must mention that the Pixma MG3620 allows you to make copies of larger photos onto 4 x 6-inch photo paper, yet if you want to copy an 8 x 10 photo, you’ll end up with the edges cut off.

Costs/efficiency

According to our calculations, the cost per page runs somewhere around 10 cents for a black/white page, and 24 cents for a color page, which brings the average cost at 17 cents per page. This may sound like a lot, we don’t know, but that’s math and it’s hard to argue with facts.

The relatively high costs are due to the fact that the Pixma MG3620 works with one tri-color cartridge and one black cartridge, but it all depends on where you buy your cartridges from. As in, if you’re getting a really good deal, and/or you’re using high yield cartridges, you can cut down on costs.

Advanced Features

canon pixma mg3620 whats in the box
There’s not much to talk about in this regard, other than the wide array of mobile device printing options, which include Google Cloud Print, Apple AirPrint for Mac OS X and Mopria for Android Devices. The Canon MG3620 will connect via Wi-Fi obviously, and, if you’re a Windows user, you can also access a 705MB collection of cards, calendars and other templates called My Image Garden.

Bottom line

This basic printer is an excellent choice for people low on cash looking for a no-nonsense machine. The MG3620 produces more than decent photo prints, prints razor-sharp text and excellent photo scans. If you can live without fancy features, like LCD screens and multipage copies, just go for it.

Pros:

  • Fast scanner
  • Prints graphics quickly
  • Very good photo scan quality
  • Duplex for 2-sided prints
  • Fast color copies
  • Great for students and home use
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
Cons:

  • Slow 2-sided printing
  • No separate document feeder
  • No separate photo paper tray
  • No LCD
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Canon Pixma Pro-200 Review https://www.techsmotion.com/canon-pixma-pro-200-review/ https://www.techsmotion.com/canon-pixma-pro-200-review/#respond Thu, 08 Apr 2021 18:25:20 +0000 https://www.techsmotion.com/?p=13277 If you’re looking for a phenomenal A3 photo printer, you’ve landed in the right place. Without further ado, here comes the Canon Pixma Pro 200 review. The rhyme thing is purely intentional, alright? Seriously speaking, the Canon Pixma Pro 200 is one of the best photo printers under $1000, and by that, we mean way less than $1000. Basically, at current prices, the Pro 200 is the deal of the century, as it takes photo printing to the next level and can produce professional-quality photo prints for both amateurs and professionals alike. And that’s due to its 4,800 x 2,400dpi maximum resolution, which is excellent for an A3 printer. However, the way it works and how the prints are produced...

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canon pixma pro-200 featured
If you’re looking for a phenomenal A3 photo printer, you’ve landed in the right place. Without further ado, here comes the Canon Pixma Pro 200 review. The rhyme thing is purely intentional, alright?

Seriously speaking, the Canon Pixma Pro 200 is one of the best photo printers under $1000, and by that, we mean way less than $1000. Basically, at current prices, the Pro 200 is the deal of the century, as it takes photo printing to the next level and can produce professional-quality photo prints for both amateurs and professionals alike.

And that’s due to its 4,800 x 2,400dpi maximum resolution, which is excellent for an A3 printer. However, the way it works and how the prints are produced will simply knock your socks off, and we’re not mincing words here.

Provided you own a desk large enough to accommodate this beast of a printer, because yeah, this is a big boy, like most high-quality inkjet printers, you will not be disappointed. So, let’s get to it, shall we?

Specs

  • Inks/type: 8x dye
  • Printer head width: 13in
  • Max print size: A3+/13x39in
  • Max print resolution: 4800x2400dpi
  • Input trays: 1x upright rear, 1x manual feeder
  • Scanner: None
  • Display screen: 3-inch color LCD
  • Interfaces: Hi-speed USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi
  • Dimensions (WxDxH): 639x379x200mm
  • Weight: 14.1kg

What do you get

canon pixma pro-200 2
To begin with, the Canon Pixma Pro 200 is huge in terms of real-estate, and we really mean a behemoth of a printer. Due to its sheer size, this beast is perfectly capable of printing borderless photos at sizes up to A3+, as it makes for the logical (and better) successor of the Pixma Pro 100.

However, despite its gargantuan size, the Pro 200 is not very heavy, standing at 14 kilos or 30 pounds. However, it’s the printers’ dimensions that will make it stand out from the crowd: 639 x 379 x 200mm (WDH), which expand at 639 x 837 x 416mm with the paper tray open.

Again, if you’re serious about buying it, factor in the price of a desk large enough to accommodate it. The rear paper feed can hold up to one hundred sheets once it’s opened, so there you have it. This is an industrial-strength photo printer by any metrics.

Why is the Pro 200 larger than life, you asked? Well, there are not so many printers capable of printing on A3+ paper, that’s why. On top of that, this beast uses 8 cartridges at a time: the industry standard 4 CMYK colors, plus grey, light grey, photo magenta and photo cyan (dye based inks).

Build Quality

The printer looks great and feels really robust, with extremely good build quality. Everything feels solid and well made, so everything’s on the up and up in this regard, no surprises here.

Connectivity

In this regard, the Pro 200 really shines, as it offers all the connections you’ll ever need. And before you ask, this is to be expected for a professional printer, which most probably will be shared with other folks in a studio setting or office. The printer can be connected to a PC/laptop/smartphone via USB and Wi-Fi, and obviously comes with an old school Ethernet port, to attach it to your LAN thing.

If you’re a photo geek, you might abhor the fact that you won’t get a built-in scanner, and that may be strange considering its size. There’s also no automatic duplex. But, if you come to think about it, the Canon Pixma Pro 200 is built for one mission, and one mission only: to deliver glorious photos prints, as in this is not an office toy for corporatist types.

If you’re shopping for a multifunctional printer, this is not the droid you are looking for, move along.

Ease of use

Connecting and setting up the Canon Pixma Pro 200 is incredibly easy, even if this is your firsts time operating a photo printer. This is actually one of the main characteristics of Canon printers, ease of use respectively, and the best way to do it is via the setup website.

You’ll have to choose your exact model from a list, and then you’ll be guided through the process with as little (or as much) hand holding as you require. The printer also comes with a CD included in the retail box, but hey, nobody is reading the freaking instruction manual these days, right? Not to mention that modern laptops no longer have CD-ROM drives.

The printer comes with a tiny 3 inches wide color display, and a control pad, a joypad kind of thing, with an OK button in the middle. Some may expect a touchscreen at this price, but hey, the physical buttons are pretty cool if you ask me. Also, since there are no copier/scanner functions to control, and no memory card slots to print from, all you have to do is to keep an eye on the screen to check out on the screen cartridges, that’s all it actually does.

Print quality

canon pixma pro-200 disk printing
To make it real easy for our readers, the Pro 200 is everything about print quality, and every photo printed on this baby will come out perfect. There’s no other word to describe it, really. It is that good. Dark colors/blacks look rich and deep, skin tones look natural, and colors are bright. Fine details are great too, and that stands true whether you’re printing on cheap 6x4in photo paper, or on Canon’s own A3+ paper.

Everything is printed exceptionally well, ranging from misty landscapes requiring subtle color transitions to bright colorful prints. Basically, if you’re looking for a photo printer that can deliver stellar quality photos at any size, look no further, you’ve just found your soul-mate so to speak.

Speed and running costs

In terms of performance and “bang for the buck”, the Pro 200 can be best described as “luxury doesn’t come cheap”. As in, the printer is not cheap to buy in the first place, and also relatively pricey to run as well.

If you’re obsessed with math and the like, an A3+ print will cost you in approximately $3, if you buy the inks from Canon. Yeah, this is kind of pricey, but high quality is never cheap. By the way, this number is based on the cost of each cartridge, $25.40 respectively, purchased directly from Canon.

We must also mention that the printer is kind of slow, even for an ink jet, outputting mono A4 pages at 2.5ppm, while mixed color documents are printed at 1.6 ppm. This is nothing to write home about, but then again, photo quality is outstanding. And photo printing is relatively fast, i.e. the printer can squirt out six 6×4 photos in under 9 minutes, which is not bad. An A3 photo takes 3 minutes, and 2 8×10 images take almost 5 minutes.

Final word

So far, so good, so what? Should I buy it? The answer is yes, if you’re looking for phenomenal photo prints, both small and large. If photo quality is important for your business, or for you personally, the Pro 200 will not disappoint. If you want something more versatile and cheaper to buy/run, there are other photo printers out there.

Pros:

  • Spectacular photo prints
  • Prints up to A3+
  • Good connectivity
  • Well built
  • Stellar performer
  • Great handling characteristics
  • Adequate printing speeds
Cons:

  • Expensive to run/buy
  • Huge
  • Everyday prints require another printer
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Canon Pixma Pro 100 Review https://www.techsmotion.com/canon-pixma-pro-100-review/ https://www.techsmotion.com/canon-pixma-pro-100-review/#respond Fri, 26 Mar 2021 13:53:07 +0000 https://www.techsmotion.com/?p=13057 If you’re looking for an affordable A3+ photo printer, the Pixma Pro 100 is the first thing that comes to mind. Even if it was first introduced quite a few years ago, back in 2012 actually, this photo printer still holds its ground, as it offers a lot of features and high-quality printing at an affordable price, hence the Canon Pixma Pro 100 review. What is it? To begin with the basics, the Pro 100 is quite a piece of work, i.e. it can output high-quality prints up to 13’’x19’’, and that makes it ideal for amateur photographers looking to become pros. Also, the Pro 100 replaces the “ancient” Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mark II, and it’s designed to produce exceptional...

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canon pixma pro 100 review
If you’re looking for an affordable A3+ photo printer, the Pixma Pro 100 is the first thing that comes to mind. Even if it was first introduced quite a few years ago, back in 2012 actually, this photo printer still holds its ground, as it offers a lot of features and high-quality printing at an affordable price, hence the Canon Pixma Pro 100 review.

What is it?

canon pixma pro-100 front view
To begin with the basics, the Pro 100 is quite a piece of work, i.e. it can output high-quality prints up to 13’’x19’’, and that makes it ideal for amateur photographers looking to become pros. Also, the Pro 100 replaces the “ancient” Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mark II, and it’s designed to produce exceptional image quality at bargain prices.

Advantages

One of the main technological downgrades of the affordable Pro 100 is that it uses 8 inks (black; gray; light gray; yellow; magenta; photo magenta; cyan; and photo cyan) rather than 12, compared to its “superior” Canon Pixma Pro-1 (the high-end model in the series), as well as 6,144 nozzles vs 12,288 for the latter.

That’s exactly half, before you ask, and even if the Pro 100 doesn’t sound as impressive as its more “developed” cousin, it actually has a smaller minimum droplet size than the Pro-1, which means it is capable of reproducing finer detail.

To be more precise, the Pro 100 features 3pl droplet size, compared to Pro-1’s 4pl, and when it comes to resolution, which is another important metric, both photo printers are capable of squirting out 4800 x 2400 dpi.

So, there you have it: the best printer is not necessarily the most expensive one, right? To make things even better, the Pro 100 comes with the obvious advantage of Wi-Fi connectivity over the significantly more expensive Pro-1, hence you can print via Ethernet connection, USB 2.0 or wirelessly, directly from your smartphone using the dedicated mobile app (Android and Apple).

Another differentiator between the two is that the Pro-1 uses Canon’s Lucia pigment inks, which are better in theory than the “inferior” stuff (dye-based cartridges) employed in the P-100, but as long as you stick with original Canon papers and ChromaLife100+ ink, there’s no significant difference between the two in real-life scenarios, so there you have it.

The trick is that the ink for the Pro 100 is more expensive; to be more precise, $1.31 per ml vs $1 per ml in the Pro-1. If you want to learn more about these issues, read this article about laser vs inkjet printers.

Build and handling

canon pixma pro-100 button
Build quality is top-notch, as the Canon Pixma Pro 100 looks and feels like a quality product, with first-class fit and finish, robust controls and solid paper input/output trays.

However, we must mention that the Pro 100 is a total unit, as in it’s pretty big (689 x 385 x 215mm or 27.13 x 15.16 x 8.46 inches) and heavy at almost 20 kilos/43lbs, which is actually nice if you come to think about it (heavy is good, heavy is reliable, right?), though it will eat-up serious desk real estate and most probably destroy you if it falls on your leg.

All jokes aside, this big boy has an appetite for destruction (drinks ink like there’s no tomorrow, just like all A3 machines), and if you manage to lift this hog of a printer on your desk without requiring a trip to the osteopath, you’ll soon discover that it uses tiny 13 ml cartridges, compared to the Pro-1’s high-capacity 36ml tanks, and that’s why the cost per ml is increased.

They also run out fast, due to reduced capacity, but that’s not necessarily bad news, as the P 100 only requires 8 cartridges, so a complete set will drain something like $136 from your wallet, compared to $432 to fully refill a Pro-1 (we’re quoting Canon’s full retail price, but if you shop around, you can get them cheaper).

Performance

canon pixma pro-100 paper feeder
According to Canon, the Pro 100 can spit out an A3+ bordered photo in approximately 90 seconds, but that’s optimistic (or may be true with a basic image at standard quality).

According to independent testing, a borderless A3 print using Canon’s glossy Photo Paper Plus takes approximately 6 minutes per print at max quality setting, while an A4 print takes 3 minutes. If you disable the borderless thing, you’ll be able to speed things up dramatically, up to 90 seconds.

It’s worth mentioning that older models like Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mark II had serious speed issues with greyscale printing, but the P 100 is a champ in this regard, due to its dedicated grey and light grey cartridges, which totally eliminate the problem.

To make a long story short, the Pro 100 delivers stunning quality photo prints, both color and greyscale, but be aware that printing on matt media is not as good as on gloss paper, due to the dye-based ink. So long as you keep your Canon happy with luster or glossy media, your prints will display outstanding contrast, clarity and color depth.

Speaking of performance, we must mention this: while the Canon Pixma Pro 1 is literally twice as expensive as the Pro 100, it’s heavier, bigger and slower than the latter, which is quite amazing. When it comes to printing photos, the Pro 100 is second to none in terms of capturing detail in both light and dark areas, and in faces.

The Pro 1 does slightly better with printing images with very dark backgrounds, but that doesn’t really cover for the huge difference in price. Bottom line, the Pro 100 offers a lot of bang for the proverbial buck asked, and comes really close to its considerably pricier sibling, being 30 percent lighter and half the price.

Pros:

  • Superb build quality
  • Excellent mono/color prints
  • Adequately fast
  • Good value for money
Cons:

  • Not the best prints on matt media
  • High cost of ink
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Raven Pro Document Scanner Review https://www.techsmotion.com/raven-pro-document-scanner-review/ https://www.techsmotion.com/raven-pro-document-scanner-review/#respond Wed, 30 Dec 2020 13:59:09 +0000 https://www.techsmotion.com/?p=11718 Raven Pro Document Scanner is a well-built, relatively compact device that offers numerous features, including the ability to be used as the standalone device, which is one of its key features. However, more on that later – let’s just start from the beginning. Unboxing When talking about the package itself, Raven Pro Document Scanner comes in a nice looking white box, with the basic information and simple graphics. All the equipment is safely and tightly stored; therefore, there should be no worries about anything breaking during transport. Inside the box, you’ll find the scanner itself, the power cable, Ethernet cable, mountable tray, and a stamp that presents a nice bonus. Raven Pro Document Scanners’ top part comes with a glossy...

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raven pro document scanner 1
Raven Pro Document Scanner is a well-built, relatively compact device that offers numerous features, including the ability to be used as the standalone device, which is one of its key features. However, more on that later – let’s just start from the beginning.

Unboxing

When talking about the package itself, Raven Pro Document Scanner comes in a nice looking white box, with the basic information and simple graphics. All the equipment is safely and tightly stored; therefore, there should be no worries about anything breaking during transport. Inside the box, you’ll find the scanner itself, the power cable, Ethernet cable, mountable tray, and a stamp that presents a nice bonus.

raven pro document scanner 2

Raven Pro Document Scanners’ top part comes with a glossy finish and is made out of quality plastics, and, together with the rest of the build, seems like a pretty well-crafted machine. The lower part of the scanner is made of mat plastic and although it seems that it the plastic is not as high quality as the top part, it still looks pretty nice and as a whole, it provides a positive feeling and overall really good looks.

raven pro document scanner 3

Specifications

Format: A4 (210cm x 297cm)
Sensor Type: CIS
Maximal Resolution: 600dpi
Speed: 60 sheets per minute, 120 images per minute
ADF size: 100 sheets
Feed Roller lifecycle: 150000 sheets
Connectivity: Ethernet and 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi
Included software: Raven PC Software
Interface: TWAIN
Weight: 4.17kg
Size: 31.5cm x 17.8cm x 20.8cm

Usage

The overall user experience with Raven Pro Document Scanner is very positive. This device is easy to use and it comes with an intuitive interface and a very responsive 8” LCD touchscreen that maybe has poor viewing angles, but does a great job of managing this scanner, offering fast performance and solid image quality.

More importantly, this is a standalone device, so you only need a power outlet to connect this device to, and everything else is optional. You can store your scans on a USB stick or connect the scanner to your network and keep your documents on the cloud. Whatever your choice, it is easy to manage through the touchscreen interface that is well organized in categories, allowing even kids or elderly people to easily use it.

Raven Pro Document Scanner’s own TWAIN interface offers multiple options and lets you set the Resolution, Destination where you want to save your scans, Color (black and white, color or grayscale), as well as the Sides, or better say, paper orientation and the way you want the scanner to operate, and whether you want it to make one-sided or two-sided scans.

raven pro document scanner 4

Moreover, there is also an Options button, with four categories that include:

Contacts – for managing and adding new connections.
Settings – that let you turn specific features on or off, such as Auto Orientation or Multi-feed detection, change Time Zone, Brightness levels of the screen and the scans, set the Sleep timer, Compression type, and much more.
Network – for changing your network connection.
Log Out – designed to let you log off the device.

raven pro document scanner 5

Furthermore, there is the History button, where you can track all your scans, the Help button, with the contact information, and the button where you can set the size of the scan, decide whether you want page previews or not, and the way you want your files to be stored, as separate files or as a combined file.

After you finish scanning, there is also the opportunity to crop, remove, change brightness, and make other small edits to the scans and enhance them before their storing or sending.

raven pro document scanner 5b

Similar to other document scanners, Raven Pro Document Scanner also comes with an Anti-jam technology that should prevent any jamming problems. However, follow the guidelines and don’t try to outsmart the scanner and try to scan a folded document, for example – because no anti-jamming technology will help you in that case and you will probably be forced to unjam the device manually, as it was the case during our testing. Nonetheless, if something like that does occur, don’t panic, gentle paper pulling will sort it out and you will be able to use the scanner as before.

Computer Usage

When talking about using the Raven Pro Document Scanner over the computer, you should know that there are multiple ways to do it. First of all, there is the freshly released, dedicated Raven Desktop app that is in the BETA phase, which means that you should expect minor glitches. However, the overall experience is pretty similar to the Raven Pro Document Scanner standalone use.

This app is easy to set up and offers intuitive interface that makes things go as smoothly as possible. With the Raven Desktop app, you can choose the type of connection that you want to use to communicate with the scanner. You can select the traditional wired connection that requires that you connect the scanner to one of the USB ports (preferably USB3.0, to get the best performance) on your computer (only Mac and Windows are supported) or a more practical, Wireless connection (the computer and the scanner must be on the same network) that won’t take anything from the functionality, but will decrease the level of cabling.

raven pro document scanner 21

Once you choose the desired type of connection, the app will install the necessary drivers and search for the scanner, and after it finds it, you will be able to use the Raven app that brings almost the same level of options and settings as the scanner’s standalone interface. There is the Home tab, with all the basic settings, such as Size of the scans, Color, Quality, Sides, as well as the ability to give the scan a specific name.

raven pro document scanner 22

Also, there are Advanced settings that will let you change the Brightness, Contrast, File compression, whether you want to turn OCR on or off, and so on, as well as the Manage settings option, that will help you set up the desired destinations for your scans.

raven pro document scanner 23

Furthermore, there are also Contacts, History and Settings tabs, and altogether, it’s a straightforward interface adequate for all ages.

Raven Desktop app offers the same level of performance as the standalone device and allows for smaller edits to scans, such as cropping, cutting, their reordering, zooming, as well as direct printing. Unfortunately, the number of available editing features is lower than on the scanner itself; nonetheless, since this is only a BETA version of the app, minor flaws like this will certainly be fixed in the future, along with the ability to save the scans in some other formats other than the default .pdf.

Another way you can use the Raven Pro Document Scanner over the computer is with the help of the TWAIN-compatible scanning applications. For example, you can try NAPS2 app, which requires connecting the scanner and the computer through a USB cable and installing the TWAIN driver in order to work.

Similarly to the Ravens own app, NAPS2 also brings clean and easy-to-use interface, with basic functions and settings and a pretty intuitive interface that allows for ease of use. There is a PDF saving function, with a few changeable options, such as encryption type, metadata information, compatibility, and so on. Along with that, there are Image saving and Email PDF features, as well as the Language change, ability to set and edit profiles, OCR function, file conversion, and more.

Through the NAP2 app, you will be able to make smaller edits on your scans, such as brightness change, cropping, changing Hue/Saturation, or Sharpening your image. Also, there are options to reorder scans, rotate them, move them up or down – in other words, everything needed for productive office work is there.

Performance

If there is an area in which the Raven Pro Document Scanner shows its true value, it is the performance. This is a really fast scanner that is capable of scanning an A4 document, at a 200dpi resolution, in one second.

raven pro document scanner 14

Of course, with the resolution increase, which could be set to 200dpi, 300dpi, 400dpi, or 600dpi, the speed decreases, and in the case of the 600dpi resolution, two-sided scan goes at up to eight seconds, which is still pretty respectable.

raven pro document scanner 8

To make things even better, Raven Pro Document Scanner is capable of storing scanned documents at up to 10 different destinations that include a whole bunch of cloud services such as Raven cloud, with unlimited storage, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, SharePoint, QuickBooks Online, Evernote and Box, as well as the more traditional locations such as USB, Email or Fax. In other words, all major services are supported.

raven pro document scanner 9

The quality of the scans isn’t of the CCD scanner quality; nonetheless, it brings good color accuracy, a decent level of details, and overall delivers more than a pleasing quality for a document scanner.

Other than that, this scanner can also be successfully used for the digitalization of your old photo collection, allowing for fast batch scanning, and providing more than useful resulting scans. The quality of the scans is pleasing and it takes you only about five seconds for a single 600dpi 4” x 6” photo scan. However, if you want to save the photos in .jpeg, .png, .tiff, or any other photo format, you will be required to install the already mentioned TWAIN driver to the computer, as well as the TWAIN-compatible third party scanning application, such as NAP2, which will expand your options and allow for such a function.

Connectivity

To begin with, the Raven Pro Document Scanner is a device that brings a good versatility; therefore, it should be no surprise that there are multiple connectivity options. There are two USB3.0 ports (one on the back and one on the side of the device) to which you can connect your flash drive, or some other external storage, such as high-performing portable SSD or HDD and USB-B port for connecting the scanner to your computer (if you prefer the traditional way).

raven pro document scanner 11

Furthermore, there is the Ethernet port, as well as the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection, for direct connection to the internet and cloud services and standalone use.

raven pro document scanner 10

Good

Other than the already mentioned positive aspects of the Raven Pro Document Scanner, such as smooth-performing LCD touchscreen, good connectivity, intuitive and easy to use interface, as well as great versatility and the ability to be used as a standalone device, which is its key feature, this scanner also has many other good sides and features.

raven pro document scanner 13

Its long list of advantages involves OCR (optical character recognition), a function that makes documents searchable, as well as automatic document rotation, auto multi-feed sheet detection, and automatic de-skewing that will straighten your scans by default. Also, there is an auto-cropping function, auto color detection that will make batch scans following their original color, color for the ones in color, black and white in black and white, and grayscale in grayscale, as well as blank-page detection that is one of the essential functions when scanning a large volume of scans.

However, that isn’t everything; Raven Pro Document Scanner is also fitted with a background cleaning feature that will make your scan’s background smoother and cleaner, and an edge correction feature, responsible for removing your document margins, creating more neat looks.

Bad

As you have already read, Raven Pro Document Scanner is a device that has a lot to offer and comes with a variety of handy features; however, it does have a few drawbacks that don’t play a major role, but still may be important aspects for many. Therefore, let’s get straight to them.

First of all, there is the lack of Zonal OCR that should help you scan only a designated area of the document, for instance, schedule, specifications, array, or something similar, placed only on a part of the sheet.

Then, there is the absence of the bar code recognition, as well as the multi-stream, that may not be a fundamental problem for many, because there is an automatic color detection feature, but the fact that in certain other brand models this feature does exist and this one doesn’t, remains.

Also, Raven Pro Document Scanner is lacking a whole punch removal and the streak corrections. These are not major downsides, but it would certainly be useful to have these options.
Finally, if you are looking to save the scanned documents into some other format than PDF, you will have to install the scanner on your computer and use a scanning application to get the desired format. In other words, there are some minor drawbacks, and all of them have workarounds, and hopefully they will be corrected in some future firmware updates, which would make this already great scanner even better.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Raven Pro Document Scanner is an excellent document scanner that provides fast scanning, ease of use, and very good quality of the scans. It is compact, practical and highly versatile, which allows for its use not only in offices and small businesses but for digitalization of your old photos or stacks of documents, saving you space and proving an easy way for their backup.

Moreover, it is feature-rich, attractive-looking, and suitable for all ages. Above all, it can be used as a standalone device and allows for simulation scans saving at up to 10 different destinations, which is one of the characteristics that separate it from the competition. Sure, it isn’t perfect, and it has a few drawbacks, but none of them presents something that cannot be overcome or presents a major issue.

raven pro document scanner 12

At the end of the day, this is a dedicated document scanner that has many other functions as a bonus, or to be exact, it is great in what it should be, and everything else comes as a nice additional touch. Therefore, if you are after a more than solid document scanner that provides fast, good-quality performance and comes with a ton of features, Raven Pro Document Scanner is a device that you should seriously consider.

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The Best Portable Scanners in 2023 https://www.techsmotion.com/best-portable-scanners/ https://www.techsmotion.com/best-portable-scanners/#respond Fri, 07 Aug 2020 13:48:54 +0000 https://www.techsmotion.com/?p=9489 In general, scanners are very practical devices that give you the opportunity to digitalize your old photos, make scans for social media, etc. However, not all of them are born equal. Photo scanner is, as its name suggests, designed for scanning photos, slide scanner – for scanning slides, etc. If you’re looking for one device that is meant for various purposes, including easy portability, today, we’ll help you find the best portable scanner for your needs. Of course, such devices are more of a niche product and aren’t needed by everyone; nevertheless, they can be very useful, if you are constantly on the move and require an easy and practical way to scan documents, photos, etc. no matter where are...

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the best portable scanners
In general, scanners are very practical devices that give you the opportunity to digitalize your old photos, make scans for social media, etc. However, not all of them are born equal. Photo scanner is, as its name suggests, designed for scanning photos, slide scanner – for scanning slides, etc.

If you’re looking for one device that is meant for various purposes, including easy portability, today, we’ll help you find the best portable scanner for your needs.

Of course, such devices are more of a niche product and aren’t needed by everyone; nevertheless, they can be very useful, if you are constantly on the move and require an easy and practical way to scan documents, photos, etc. no matter where are you currently located.

Whether you belong to that type of users, or just want to experience a different approach to scanning, these are the characteristics you should pay your attention to, if you want to end up with the best portable scanner your money can buy.

Top Picks

Last update on 2023-10-04 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

How to choose the best portable scanner

When deciding for the best portable scanner, pay attention to these criteria:

Scanning speed

Speed is one of the rare things that don’t demand an explanation in these modern times. Today, speed is everything and the majority of users are expecting things to happen instantly. Therefore, why would you expect anything different from your portable scanner?

Rechargeable battery

If your chosen device comes with a built-in battery, you can literally use it wherever you like it. Basically, the only limitation will be the capacity of the battery, or the number of scans that it can handle, before it drains.

Connectivity

Although it isn’t essential, good connectivity will give you much better versatility and the ability to use your scans more efficiently. Check if there is Wi-Fi and USB connectivity and if the chosen device has an SD card slot, etc.

Best Portable Scanners

Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi

A Practical, but Capable Portable Scanner

doxie go se wi-fi
Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi is a small-sized portable scanner, with a decent, built-in rechargeable battery that can last up to 400 scans, as well as excellent compatibility that allows for its use with PCs, Macs, iPhones, and iPads through the dedicated app.

This scanner comes fitted with integrated Wi-Fi and micro USB connectivity and a very good software package that, among others, includes the ABBYY OCR program. More importantly, this device enables you to save scans to your desktop, cloud services, as well as directly to its 8GB memory card that is included in the package.

Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi comes with a one-year warranty and is able to scan items, in a wide variety of formats, in both 300dpi and 600dpi resolution. It can scan a color page for about eight seconds and store up to 4000 copies in its included memory card.

More importantly, its scans are very accurate, with vivid colors; however, of only solid quality. In other words, they are more than decent for social media and similar activities; nevertheless, if you are seeking a premium quality scan, better turn to a dedicated document or photo scanner that will satisfy your needs with ease.

Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi is an easy-to-use device that offers a lot for its money and altogether presents a great option for home or small office use.

Pros:

  • Small size
  • Ease of use
  • Offers computer-free scanning
  • Good quality software
  • Fast performance
Cons:

  • No sheet feeder

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Brother DS-640

An Affordable and Versatile Portable Scanner

brother ds-640 compact mobile document scanner
If you are a fan of Brother’s scanners such as DS-740D, but seeking for a bit more simplicity, ease of use and portability, Brother DS-640 scanner is as made for you.

With this scanner, you are getting the fast performance of 16 scans per minute, good compatibility that allows for its use with Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, as well as numerous handy features such as the scan’s auto-enhance functions, fast micro USB3.0 connectivity and SD card slot.

This portable scanner delivers 1200dpi scans. However, this can only be achieved with the help of interpolation, while its native resolution is limited to 600dpi. Its capacity is only 100 scans per day; however, of great accuracy and quality.

Brother DS-640 comes together with the iPrint&Scan software that allows for scanning directly to PC, e-mail, cloud services, etc., as well as OCR and document management functions that make this device a highly versatile one, as it should be the case with the best portable scanners.

All in all, if you are after a very capable device that can be easily used on the road, Brother DS-640 is the thing for you.

Pros:

  • Fast performance
  • Lightweight
  • Compact
  • Easy to use
  • Good compatibility
  • Scans auto enhancement function
Cons:

  • No two-sided scanning
  • No Wi-Fi and LAN connectivity
  • No built-in battery
  • Lacks document feeder

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Epson Workforce ES-60W

A Lot of Value for the Buck

epson workforce es-60w
Epson Workforce ES-60W is a fast performing and lightweight portable scanner, with excellent compatibility and packed with plenty of features.

Its scans are accurate and require only four seconds to be made, while the scanner itself is capable of working along with a wide variety of devices, including ones that are run by Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

Epson Workforce ES-60W comes along with Nuance OCR and robust and easy-to-use ScanSmart Software that allows for simple scans management, as well as scanning directly to cloud services. Moreover, this device provides USB2.0 and Wi-Fi connectivity and offers great portability due to its built-in rechargeable battery.

This scanner has a daily capacity of 300 scans; it can handle items in a variety of sizes and overall offers pretty much for its size and weight that surpasses the majority of its competition (which, among others, includes Xerox Duplex Travel).

Altogether, if you appreciate a good quality product, with great overall value, Epson Workforce ES-60W is a perfect choice for you and probably the best portable scanner you can stumble upon.

Pros:

  • Fast performance
  • Lightweight
  • Compact
  • Excellent compatibility
  • Simultaneous two-side scanning
Cons:

  • It comes without a memory card slot
  • No document feeder

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Fujitsu ScanSnap iX100

A Feature-Rich Portable Scanner Ideal for Mobile Device and Cloud Scanning

fujitsu scansnap ix100
Fujitsu ScanSnap iX100 is an easy to use and fairly priced device, packed with plenty of features that ultimately make it one of the best document scanners available.

This scanner offers versatile connectivity, with Wi-Fi and mini USB connection, as well as good compatibility that allows for its use with both Windows and Mac-based devices. More importantly, this device provides a fast scanning performance (11 pages per minute), as well as great accuracy of the scans, which overall makes it a great deal.

Fujitsu ScanSnap iX100 is a plug-and-play device that is capable of scanning in up to 600dpi resolution and fitted with the rechargeable battery that can last for about 260 scans.

One more reason why this scanner is a good buy is its high-quality ScanSnap software that allows for easy use and provides multiple functions, such as precise OCR, direct cloud scanning, etc.

To conclude, Fujitsu ScanSnap iX100 is an affordable and light-duty portable scanner, with plenty of “weapons” in its arsenal, which makes it a perfect choice for home and small office use.

Pros:

  • Excellent software
  • Fairly priced
  • Fast performance
  • Versatile connectivity
Cons:

  • Lacks duplex scan

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Brother ADS-1700W

Excellence in a Portable Package

brother ads-1700w wireless document scanner
Top-class devices are always a great deal, and Brother ADS-1700W scanner is no exception. With this scanner, you are getting a compact design and very fast scanning performance (25 pages per minute), as well as a ton of features, such as a 20-sheet automatic document feeder and excellent connectivity that includes Wi-Fi, micro USB3.0 connection and SD card slot.

Brother ADS-1700W works with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices and can deliver about 1000 scans per day. However, its crucial aspect is its ability to deliver very accurate scans that, along with its robust iPrint&Scan app, offers great versatility. With the help of its software package, you can scan directly to e-mail, OCR, cloud services, mobile devices, USB flash, and more, as well as edit you scan and enjoy every benefit of automatic scan enhancement functions.

To make a long story short, if you want the best portable scanner for Mac, Windows, or any other mainstream device, that will blow away with its performance and usability, Brother ADS-1700W is without a doubt the perfect choice.

Pros:

  • Compact
  • Fast performance
  • Two-sided scan
  • Easy to use
  • Great compatibility
  • It can scan directly to USB
Cons:

  • Has no built-in battery

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Canon imageFORMULA R10

A Highly Versatile Low-Cost Portable Scanner

canon imageformula r10

Canon imageFORMULA R10 is an affordable and practical portable scanner that comes with a decent scanning speed of 12 pages per minute, and excellent scan quality as it should be the case with one of the best portable scanners available.

This is a lightweight and compact device, with a 20-sheet automatic feeder and more importantly, an excellent CaptureOnTouch app. Canon imageFORMULA R10 is compatible with both Windows and Mac and capable of handling any sort of media format. Also, the number of its scans should be kept at 1000 scans per month, which is its recommended monthly capacity.

Unfortunately, Canon imageFORMULA R10 comes with limited connectivity, which only involves USB connection, and lacks the built-in battery, which consequently limits its portability. On the other hand, its price is more than acceptable, scans are of the highest quality, while the compact size and accurate OCR make it a pretty good deal, if not the best.

Pros:

  • Lightweight
  • Compact
  • Low price
  • High-quality scans
  • Accurate OCR
Cons:

  • It comes without a battery
  • Not the fastest performer out there
  • No Wi-Fi and mobile device support

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Brother DS-740D

Great Value and Performance in One

brother ds-740d

Brother DS-740D is a cheap, fast-performing device that presents one of the best portable scanners available, due to its lightweight and compact design. With this scanner, you get a very good performance with 16 scans per minute, micro-USB connectivity, and a very good iPrint&Scan desktop app. This app lets you send scans over email, or to the cloud services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and so on.

Brother DS-740D is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android thanks to the excellent driver compatibility that includes TWAIN, SANE, and ICA drivers. More importantly, this scanner creates accurate scans and supports duplex scanning, while providing ease of use that makes it suitable for any age.

Therefore, if you are after a fast, compact, and affordable device that brings excellent value for the money, Brother DS-740D is an excellent choice and one of the best budget-friendly portable scanners you can find for yourself.

Pros:

  • Cheap
  • Compact
  • Fast scanning
  • Duplex mode support
  • Accurate OCR
  • Easy to use
Cons:

  • No battery
  • No Wi-Fi
  • No ADF

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Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1400

A Portable Scanner that is a Real Bargain

fujitsu scansnap ix1400

Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1400 is a powerful, yet compact portable scanner. Yes, maybe it lacks some of the features such as Wi-Fi connectivity; however, its scanning speed is more than excellent. Above all, its ease of use makes it suitable for any situation.

This scanner comes with a USB connection and features a user-friendly interface. It supports a variety of media sizes and types and it has an optical resolution of 1200 pixels.

More importantly, it provides very accurate scans and offers a blazing fast scanning speed of 40 scans per minute. It is compatible with both Mac and Windows and it comes with the amazing ScanSnap software. In addition, this scanner also comes with the Streak Reduction function that removes blank pages, makes automatic rotations of the scans, detects document sizes, and performs many other handy and practical functions that save you time.

Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1400 has a 50-sheet auto feeder, accurate OCR, and overall brings a great value for the money. In short, it presents exactly what the best portable scanner should be.

Pros:

  • User-friendly
  • Accurate OCR
  • 6000 scans daily duty cycle
  • ScanSnap software included in the package
  • Compact
  • Fast performance
Cons:

  • No Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity
  • No onboard Control Panel

Check Prices

 

Conclusion

If you are ready to get yourself a great portable scanner, you should have a good idea of what to go for at this point. Pay attention to the criteria that is important to you and pick your best companion – and you’re good to go.

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The Best Document Scanners in 2023 https://www.techsmotion.com/best-document-scanner/ https://www.techsmotion.com/best-document-scanner/#comments Tue, 16 Jun 2020 18:17:37 +0000 https://www.techsmotion.com/?p=8869 The majority of businesses, both small and large, demand for a good quality color or monochrome printer, as well as the best document scanner that will allow for a smooth workflow and provide the resources needed for a good quality performance. Of course, that cannot be any device, but the one that will be really beneficial for your work and finding such a device be problematic if you are not that familiar with its important aspects. For that reason, this guide will introduce you with the criteria that should have a major impact on the document scanner’s overall quality and help you make the best purchase possible. Top Picks How to choose the best document scanner In order to purchase...

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the best document scanners
The majority of businesses, both small and large, demand for a good quality color or monochrome printer, as well as the best document scanner that will allow for a smooth workflow and provide the resources needed for a good quality performance.

Of course, that cannot be any device, but the one that will be really beneficial for your work and finding such a device be problematic if you are not that familiar with its important aspects.

For that reason, this guide will introduce you with the criteria that should have a major impact on the document scanner’s overall quality and help you make the best purchase possible.

Top Picks

Last update on 2023-10-01 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

How to choose the best document scanner

In order to purchase the best document scanner possible, pay attention to the following criteria:

Speed

If you are expecting large volume scanning, the speed of the scanning itself might play a major role for you. No one wants to spend hours and hours in front of any device, if not necessary. Therefore, pay closer attention to this aspect.

Connectivity

The more connectivity there is the better overall usability and versatility of the scanner. If you can, always go for as many connectivity options as possible, including Wi-Fi, USB, etc.

Resolution

Depending on the use of the scans, their resolution might be a decisive factor for many, especially if you are into art or similar visually sensitive jobs that demand a large resolution. For that reason, choose the device that will deliver the most in this field.

Best Document Scanners

Canon imageFORMULA R40

An Ideal All-Around Document Scanner Intended for a Wide Variety of Uses

canon imageformula r40
Canon imageFORMULA R40 is a document scanner that won’t impress you in any category. Still, when you observe it as the whole, you realize that it delivers an excellent value for the money and that, in general, it presents an excellent multipurpose scanner, with everything you need for solid office work.

There is a very good Canon CaptureOnTouch software that is compatible with Windows and Mac, as well as Readiris PDF, OCR, and Cardiris business software that are unfortunately limited only to Windows use, but altogether deliver the very positive user experience. More importantly, this device provides a solid accuracy and reliability and allows for a straightforward and simple user process.

When talking about the performance itself, you should know that Canon imageFORMULA R40 is no Speedy Gonzales, but is able to scan up to 40 pages per minute and up to 4000 scans per day, which should be more than enough for a home or a small business office.

Sadly, its connectivity relies only on a USB connection, without a mobile or network connection; however, since this is an entry-level device, some downsides must be accepted.

All in all, if you are looking for the best document scanner for a small amount of money and with tremendous potential, Canon imageFORMULA R40 is a great option for you.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Simple setup
  • Reliable
  • Good quality software
  • A decent scanning speed
Cons:

  • No network and mobile connectivity

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Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600

An Excellent All-in-One Document Scanner

fujitsu scansnap ix1600

Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 is a top-class scanner, with excellent scan quality not only in the documents department, yet in photos, receipts, as well as photo card scanning. This is simply a device that brings only the best and as a result, it creates images of the finest quality, with good color accuracy and without any imperfections.

In addition, Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 also comes with an intuitive 4.3” touchscreen, as well as high-quality ScanSnap Home 2.0 software that gives numerous options to the user. To be exact, it allows easy document digitalization and organization, as well as their easy editing, handling, sending, and storing on multiple types of media. In other words, scanned documents can be saved on a USB, stored on a variety of cloud services, or emailed with the help of a Wi-Fi connection.

Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 is a document scanner that can work as a standalone device; however, it can also easily be paired with both Windows and Mac. This scanner is also fitted with a 50-sheet automatic feeder; it supports up to 30 customizable profiles and brings a pleasant, user-friendly experience that allows easy use, whatever the user’s age.

To make things even better, Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 offers a fast scanning speed of 40 pages per minute and brings everything you may need from the best document scanner. There is the high-quality of the scans, fast performance, ease of use, as well as great versatility. In other words, with this scanner, a win-win situation is guaranteed.

Pros:

  • Good connectivity
  • Excellent quality of the scans
  • Touch-screen interface
  • High-quality software
Cons:

  • Expensive

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Epson FastFoto FF-680W

A Perfect Device for Scanning Your Photo Stacks

epson fastfoto ff-680w
Epson FastFoto FF-680W is a high-performing photo scanner that, although expensive, will give you everything you need, including fast performance, accurate scanning, and most importantly, the ability to scan from stacks of up to 50 photos, helping you to easily digitalize your whole photo collection.

This scanner delivers a solid OCR performance and allows for good quality scanning of both documents and photos. Moreover, it has a speed of some 45 scans per minute, as well as solid connectivity that involves Wi-Fi and USB connectivity.

Epson FastFoto FF-680W can scan in 300dpi and 600dpi resolution, and allows for software enlargement at up to 1200dpi. It is pretty much photo-friendly and ideal option for small offices and home use.

In other words, the best home document scanner and the best photo scanner in one, and altogether great and highly capable device.

Pros:

  • Excellent scanning quality
  • Quick photo stack scanning
  • Very good OCR performance
  • A solid document scanning performance
Cons:

  • Expensive

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Brother DS-640 Mobile Scanner

A Compact and Simple to Use Document Scanner

brother ds-640 compact mobile document scanner
If you are after a simple and budget-friendly document scanner that will deliver a solid overall performance and excellent usability and portability, Brother DS-640 document scanner is a great option for you.

No, this scanner won’t give you any fancy features and will deliver rather limited performance, with a maximum speed of 16 scans per minute. However, for the majority of users that are seeking an affordable and reliable document scanner, that is more than enough.

More importantly, this scanner works flawlessly with Windows, Mac, and Linux-based computers and comes fitted with USB3.0 connectivity that is, unfortunately, the only way you can connect this baby.

Brother DS-640 is able to scan with the resolution of up to 600dpi and interpolate those scans at the resolution of up to 1200dpi. Also, it comes in a package with very good software solutions that include the iPrint&Scan app that can scan directly to emails, cloud services and similar, as well as programs for document management and OCR.

All in all, if you need a solid and highly portable scanner that will fulfill every task that you put in front of it and also is one of the best portable document scanners on the market, Brother DS-640 is simply the ideal choice for you.

Pros:

  • Compact
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to use
  • USB 3.0 connectivity
  • Accurate
  • Affordable
Cons:

  • No single-pass duplex
  • Lacks internal battery
  • No wireless and mobile connectivity

Check Prices

 

Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi

An Amazing Portable Document Scanner

doxie go se wi-fi
Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi is a lightweight, compact, and highly practical document scanner that can be used as an excellent portable document scanner solution, due to its physical characteristics and overall performance.

This device offers both Wi-Fi and mini USB connectivity; it is capable of working on its own (due to its built-in rechargeable battery), as well as together with PCs and assortment of Apple products, such as Mac, iPhone, iPad, etc. Also, due to its highly intuitive software, it is pretty simple to use, while its internal 500MB storage, along with an 8GB SD card that comes in the package, provides great autonomy and ability to scan a vast number of documents, without even turning on your computer.

Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi is capable of scanning in 300dpi or 600dpi resolution; however, its scanning speed (seven pages per minute) is nowhere near impressive, but luckily, it will do the job for most users. On the other hand, if you are into a stack scanning, the lack of a sheet feeder will certainly be a deal-breaker.

In other words, if you are seeking the best document scanner for Mac and excellent portability in one product, and absence of sheet feeder is acceptable for you, Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi is simply your only choice.

Pros:

  • Tiny
  • Easy to use
  • Portable
  • Good compatibility
  • It can work without the computer
  • SD card reader
Cons:

  • Not the best Wi-Fi connection
  • No sheet feeder

Check Prices

 

Canon CanoScan Lide 400

The Best Entry-Level Document Scanner There Is

canon canoscan lide 400 slim scanner
Buying a basic, highly affordable scanner, with excellent accuracy and solid overall performance, such as Canon CanoScan Lide 400, might be the optimal solution for a large base of users that need an occasional, not everyday heavy-duty scanning. Yes, truth is that by buying such a product, you will be forced to accept certain compromises, but on the other hand, you may be sure you will get an excellent value for your money and a reliable scanner that will stay with you for a long time.

In other words, you will get solid compatibility and ability to use it along with PCs and Macs, a solid scanning speed of 15 pages per minute, as well as a highly capable software, with multiple predefined profiles and more than a decent OCR program.

Unfortunately, this scanner offers only USB connectivity and is incapable of delivering stacked scans; nevertheless, it delivers very accurate scans, with vibrant colors and the ability to be used upright, due to kickstand.

Canon CanoScan Lide 400 provides a maximum scanning resolution of 4800 by 4800dpi and very good overall quality, but more importantly, it presents one of the best scanners for less than $100 and altogether an excellent product for its class.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Easy to use
  • Great software package
  • Very good scan quality
  • Lightweight
Cons:

  • No wireless and mobile connectivity

Check Prices

 

Epson Workforce ES-580W

An Excellent Entry-Level Document Scanner

epson workforce es-580w

Epson Workforce ES-580W is a good low-volume scanner that brings a decent scan quality, good connectivity, and great versatility that positions it neck and neck with the best document scanners out there.

This scanner is fitted with a large, intuitive 4.3″ touchscreen, 100-sheet Auto Document Feeder, with support for a variety of paper sizes and types, as well as Wi-Fi and USB connectivity. Epson Workforce ES-580W allows scan storing on multiple cloud services such as Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive, it supports sending scans over the email and it allows document storing on the USB.

More importantly, this scanner comes along with an intuitive and practical software package that offers ease of file management and supports the creation of searchable PDFs. To make thing seven better, Epson Workforce ES-580W also offers fast and accurate OCR software and comes along with the TWAIN driver support that makes its integration super-easy.

Unfortunately, its scanning speed isn’t on the fast side and is around 35 pages per minute, which is a bit slower than its nearest competitors. Luckily, that is one of its rare drawbacks, which is why this scanner presents a perfect entry-level document scanning device and one of the best portable scanners, due to its rather compact size.

Therefore, if you are after portability and good performance in one, Epson Workforce ES-580W is more than a reasonable choice.

Pros:

  • Easy integration with the help of the TWAIN driver
  • Good quality software
  • Good connectivity
Cons:

  • No Ethernet connection
  • Scanning speed may be a bit better

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Brother ADS-1700W Scanner

A Document Scanner Ideal for High-Volume Users

brother ads-1700w wireless document scanner
If you are after a high-quality scanner, with numerous handy features and, before anything else, great performance, Brother ADS-1700W is an exceptional option for you.

This scanner is fast and will allow you to scan up to 25 pages per minute, as well as up to 1000 scans per day, which is more than enough even for heavy users.

Brother ADS-1700W comes fitted with a 2.8” color touchscreen; it offers Wi-Fi and micro USB3.0 connection and it comes in a package with a great software suit that involves both OCR software and document management and will allow you to scan directly into OCR software, emails, mobile devices, etc.

With this device, you will get an ease of use, as well as compact design, but more importantly, excellent scanning accuracy that makes this device one of the best scanners out there. All in all, if you respect true quality when you see it and want only the best, Brother ADS-1700W is the scanner you must buy.

Pros:

  • Compact
  • Easy to use
  • Accurate
  • Very good software
Cons:

  • A bit heavy
  • No battery

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Raven Pro Document Scanner

An Ideal Office Document Scanner

raven pro document scanner
If you are seeking a fast, versatile and highly functional document scanner for your home or office, that will give you plenty of options and enhance your and your teammates’ productivity, Raven Pro Document Scanner is made for you.

This is a feature-rich scanner, with basically flawless performance and very fast scanning speeds that can go at up to 60ppm, when scanning at the lowest 200dpi resolution, and around 10ppm when making two-sided 600dpi color scans.

To make things even better, Raven Pro Document Scanner supports simultaneous scan storing at up to 10 different locations that include, among others, Raven cloud with unlimited storage subscription, Google Drive, Evernote, Dropbox, Email, USB, and many more mainstream services. With this device, you are getting all the necessary features needed for a good quality job, such as OCR support, 100 pages ADF, anti-jam functionality, as wells as auto blank page removal, auto-crop and rotation, background cleaning feature and many others.

Above all, Raven Pro Document Scanner allows for standalone use and can be operated without a computer, and everything you need is a USB drive to store your scans, or a network, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi or the Ethernet, that will help you connect to the cloud services and store your documents there. If you are more traditionally oriented, you can always connect the scanner to your Mac or Windows, which are both supported, and get an even better overall experience.

Raven Pro Document Scanner comes with a highly intuitive interface and is super-easy to use. It is fitted with a solid and very responsive 8″ LED screen and in general, it provides excellent build quality that makes the winning combination when combined with its great performance. These are also the real reasons why this fella is among the best document scanners out there without a doubt.

Pros:

  • Compact
  • Fast
  • Feature-rich
  • Highly versatile
  • It can be used as the standalone device
  • 6000 scans daily capacity
  • Good connectivity
Cons:

  • No zonal OCR
  • No bar code recognition and multi-stream support

Check Prices

 

Summary

Document scanning is something we all need at least occasionally. If you’ve decided to buy a great document scanner, we’re sure that this guide offered some useful tips and great choices. Good luck!

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The Best Photo Scanners in 2023 https://www.techsmotion.com/best-photo-scanner/ https://www.techsmotion.com/best-photo-scanner/#respond Tue, 16 Jun 2020 18:17:32 +0000 https://www.techsmotion.com/?p=8863 If you like photography, then you probably already own the best photo printer or at least a high-quality color laser printer that transforms every photo masterpiece into reality. However, if you are truly dedicated to this calling, the best photo scanner that would allow you to make photo manipulations, or allow for the transformation of your non-digital photo collections into digital form, is a necessity. Of course, if you are in this industry for years, you will probably find the best photo scanner with ease. Nevertheless, there are numerous people that are just starting in this field and need a bit of guidance in order to find the optimal device. We’ve put together this article for the latter, to help...

The post The Best Photo Scanners in 2023 first appeared on Techs Motion.]]>
the best photo scanners
If you like photography, then you probably already own the best photo printer or at least a high-quality color laser printer that transforms every photo masterpiece into reality. However, if you are truly dedicated to this calling, the best photo scanner that would allow you to make photo manipulations, or allow for the transformation of your non-digital photo collections into digital form, is a necessity.

Of course, if you are in this industry for years, you will probably find the best photo scanner with ease. Nevertheless, there are numerous people that are just starting in this field and need a bit of guidance in order to find the optimal device. We’ve put together this article for the latter, to help them a bit and allow them to find good-quality photo scanners, without taking too much of their precious time.

Top Picks

Last update on 2023-09-20 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

How to choose the best photo scanner

When looking for the best photo scanner, pay closer attention to the following characteristics:

Speed

One thing is certain, speed is of crucial importance in any activity, and scanning photos is certainly one of them. You don’t want to waste your time when you don’t need to. Therefore, choose the scanner with the fastest scanning performance possible.

Feeder

If you are into casual photo scanning that doesn’t involve large photo volumes, the lack of a feeder is acceptable. However, if you own batches of photos that need digitalization, a large capacity feeder is a necessity. For that reason, if you are in those waters, don’t forget about this little detail.

Resolution

Although the resolution isn’t a decisive factor considering scan quality, the fact is that insufficient one will drastically deteriorate the overall quality of the scan, especially more delicate ones such as photo and artwork scans.

In other words, pay attention to this aspect of the photo scanner and choose one with the highest resolution possible. Have in mind that the majority of today’s photo scans provide the resolution of up to 600dpi; therefore, don’t go below that number.

Connectivity

The more connectivity you have, the better versatility of the scanner there is. Yes, there are numerous examples of great photo scanners with only one connection type; nevertheless, if you can find one with more of these options, you won’t regret it.

Best Photo Scanners

Epson FastFoto FF-680W

A Perfect Scanner for Large-Volume Photo Scanning

epson fastfoto ff-680w
Finding the photo scanner that delivers excellent photo scanning performance and great versatility at the same time isn’t that easy. However, with the arrival of Epson FastFoto FF-680W, everything has changed and now, you can get great scanning speed (45 ppm), good connectivity (there is both Wi-Fi and USB3.0 connection), as well as a ton of features in a single device.

These features, among others, include robust ScanSmart software that provides automatic photo-scan enhancement functions, color restoration, red-eye reduction, as well as many other practical tools like a solid OCR program and auto upload to Dropbox, Google Drive, and other cloud services.

Epson FastFoto FF-680W allows you to scan postcards, Polaroid photos, even films (unfortunately, not with the dedicated film scanner quality) and comes fitted with a top tray that provides an easy way to scan photo batches and digitalize your entire photo collection in no time.

To make a long story short, if you want the best photo scanner there is, and its (a bit higher) price is no problem for you, Epson FastFoto FF-680W is a great deal without a doubt.

Pros:

  • Decent film scanning quality
  • Fast performance
  • Batch scanning
Cons:

  • Pricey
  • A bit slower than its previous generation

Check Prices

 

Canon CanoScan Lide 400

An Affordable Photo Scan Solution

canon canoscan lide 400 slim scanner
Canon CanoScan Lide 400 Slim Scanner is a lightweight and easy-to-use device that doesn’t deliver superb performance; however, what it does will be more than enough for the majority of users.

You should know that this is a budget-friendly device; therefore, you have to forget about the fancy features. Of course, the main stuff is there. There is good quality software (including OCR), a decent scanning speed of 15 pages per minute, as well as excellent accuracy.

Moreover, this scanner is compatible with both PC and Mac; it provides maximum scanning resolution of 4800 by 4800dpi and altogether, for its price, presents a great overall solution, not only for photo scans but document scanning as well.

Canon CanoScan Lide 400 Slim Scanner is reliable, compact and comes with a micro USB Type C connection. Unfortunately, it lacks mobile device connectivity and the ability to be used as a batch scanner. However, for an entry-level device that costs less than $100, that is simply too much to ask.

All in all, if you want the best flatbed photo scanner at an affordable price, Canon CanoScan Lide 400 Slim Scanner is the first name that should come to your mind.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Good quality software
  • Simple to use
  • Decent scan quality
Cons:

  • Only USB connectivity
  • It comes without a tray that would allow for batch scanning

Check Prices

 

Brother DS-640 Mobile Scanner

A Great Versatility in a Cheap Package

brother ds-640 compact mobile document scanner
Similar to Canon CanoScan Lide 400 scanner, Brother DS-640 also doesn’t offer anything that will knock you off your feet; however, it does provide accurate performance and more importantly, it is easy to use, allowing for a great user experience.

Brother DS-640 is compact, lightweight, and cheap at the same time. It offers USB3.0 connectivity and can work with Mac, Windows, and Linux systems.

When talking about its performance, you should know that this scanner can provide up to 16 scans per minute, which isn’t much but is still decent, and that it can scan at up to 600dpi resolution, and interpolate the scans at up to 1200dpi that should allow for decent usability.
Moreover, this scanner comes with a decent software solution that includes both scans management and OCR programs, making this device a multipurpose one.

In other words, if you are after an affordable portable scanner that can be successfully used as both photo and document scanner, Brother DS-640 is simply the device for you.

Pros:

  • Simple to use
  • Compact
  • Lightweight
  • Accurate
  • Cheap
Cons:

  • Lacks mobile and wireless connectivity

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Epson Perfection V39

An Affordable, but Excellent Photo Scanner

epson perfection v39
Although it has already been present on the market for a couple of years, Epson Perfection V39 still kept a lot of its charm and most importantly, remained one of the best home photo scanners on the market.

However, its excellence is mostly based on its outstanding scanning performance, while its list of features it kinda limited; there is no bundle scanning software, nor batch scanning, and you cannot scan films. On the other hand, this scanner delivers clear and detailed scans, with pretty accurate colors and optical resolution of up to 4800dpi, perfect for scanning artworks, oversized prints, and documents, with the help of ArcSoft Scan-n-Stitch software.

Epson Perfection V39 comes only with a USB connection; it is easy to use and offers great overall value for the price. Yes, it isn’t perfect and has its downsides, but if you are seeking a quality photo scanner that won’t burden your budget too much, this scanner is simply the best option you have.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Excellent quality photo scans
  • Affordable
Cons:

  • No batch scanning
  • It cannot scan films
  • No bundle scanning software

Check Prices

 

Canon imageFORMULA R40

An Excellent-Performing Photo Scanner

canon imageformula r40
Canon imageFORMULA R40 is a fast and very efficient scanner that can deliver up to 40 scans per minute, as well as up to 4000 scans per day. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac; it comes fitted with a great software package that includes Canon CaptureOnTouch scanning software, free licenses for Readiris PDF and OCR software and ability to perform duplex scanning, making it a great solution not only for photo scanning, but as a multipurpose scanner in general.

If you are into batch photo scanning, you will be glad to know that this scanner comes equipped with an automatic feeder that has a 60-sheet capacity, which is more than enough to allow for trouble-free digitalization of your photo collection. More importantly, this device offers easy-to-use characteristics and altogether delivers great value, which makes it one of the more attractive photo scanners available on the market.

However, this device doesn’t come without drawbacks that are mostly presented in its limited connectivity that involves only USB2.0 connection, and a rather disappointing warranty of only one year, which certainly isn’t up to the standards of this, otherwise, great scanner.

To make a long story short, if you are after the best photo scanner with a feeder that can be used for plenty of other activities as well, Canon imageFORMULA R40 is the device made for you.

Pros:

  • Good quality software
  • Easy to use
  • Great accuracy
  • Good scanning speed
Cons:

  • No network and mobile connectivity

Check Prices

 

Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi

A Decent Photo Scanner with Excellent Autonomy

doxie go se wi-fi
If you are looking for a practical and easy to use photo scanner, with excellent autonomy, Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi is the scanner destined for you.

Due to its nature and built-in rechargeable battery (it can hold up to 400 scans per one charge), as well as a highly intuitive and functional software, this scanner allows you to use it literally anywhere, without a need for a computer. Moreover, its built-in storage of 500MB, reinforced with 8GB SD card that is included in the package, provides enough space for hundreds of photo or document scans, helping you convert your photo collections with an ease, from the accommodation of your living-room, garden, or garage.

Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi also provides solid connectivity that includes mini USB and Wi-Fi connection, as well as great compatibility that allows you to use it with Windows, Mac, and iOS-based devices.

Unfortunately, this scanner comes without a feeder; therefore, stack photo scanning is out of the question, just like the scanning thick documents and artworks that are too large to fit this small portable device.

All in all, if you are after the best portable photo scanner that can deliver a solid performance and provide photo scans in 300 dpi and 600 dpi resolutions, as well as great portability, Doxie Go SE Wi-Fi is without a doubt the best scanner you can find.

Pros:

  • Compact
  • It can work without a computer
  • Portable
  • Easy to use
Cons:

  • It comes without a feeder

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Plustek ephoto Z300 Photo Scanner

A Fast and Attractively Designed Photo Scanner

plustek ephoto z300 photo scanner
Plustek ephoto Z300 Photo Scanner is a device that offers fast performance, with the speed of 30 prints per minute and more importantly, excellent versatility and support for a variety of formats, including 3×5, 4×6, 5×7, and 8×10 photos, as well as A4 and smaller paper sizes.

This device can scan in 300dpi or 600dpi resolution and offers compatibility with Windows and Mac systems. Its connectivity is limited only to USB connection, while its good quality ePhoto Software allows for scan enhancements and involves multiple editing tools, including the OCR function.

Plustek ephoto Z300 Photo Scanner features an unusual design in blue and white color theme and overall offers fairly decent performance and quality for the price. However, have in mind that its photo scans aren’t of the highest quality. Therefore, if you are only into the best of the best, some other devices would probably better fit you.

Pros:

  • Fairly priced
  • Good scanning speed
  • Decent compatibility
  • Excellent versatility
Cons:

  • It comes without a feeder

Check Prices

 

Summary

If you are looking for the best photo scanner, we are sure it is somewhere on this list. Pay close attention to your needs and their features, and get ready to start scanning!

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The Best Slide Scanners to Buy https://www.techsmotion.com/best-slide-scanner/ https://www.techsmotion.com/best-slide-scanner/#respond Tue, 16 Jun 2020 18:17:27 +0000 https://www.techsmotion.com/?p=8855 When talking about photography, the majority of people think only about cameras, flashes, lenses, and similar stuff, forgetting that photography also involves the physical creation of the photos that demand not only for high-quality photo printers but the best slide scanners and photo scanners as well. These devices are necessary to any photographer or photo enthusiast who wants to digitalize their negatives or slides for software editing and artistic creations or simple recreation of old memories. Whatever the reason, these devices are a necessity. Nevertheless, finding proper ones might become an issue. However, with the help of this guide, the whole purchase process should be a bit less stressful. Now, let’s get down to business. Top Picks How to choose...

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Best Slide Scanners
When talking about photography, the majority of people think only about cameras, flashes, lenses, and similar stuff, forgetting that photography also involves the physical creation of the photos that demand not only for high-quality photo printers but the best slide scanners and photo scanners as well.

These devices are necessary to any photographer or photo enthusiast who wants to digitalize their negatives or slides for software editing and artistic creations or simple recreation of old memories. Whatever the reason, these devices are a necessity. Nevertheless, finding proper ones might become an issue.

However, with the help of this guide, the whole purchase process should be a bit less stressful. Now, let’s get down to business.

How to choose the best slide scanner

When deciding which slide scanner to purchase, take the following characteristics into account:

Connectivity

The more connectivity your device has, the better versatility and functionality of the device you will get. USB connectivity is sort of a standard among scanners; however, some slide scanners also offer SD card slots, TV-out, HDMI ports, etc. For that reason, go after the device that fulfills your needs and offers the most for your money.

Film and Negative Support

The last thing you need is to purchase a scanner and find out it isn’t compatible with the slides or negatives that you have only afterward. Don’t be lazy and do your “homework”.

Ease of Use

Nobody wants to spend hours and hours in front of the instructions figuring out how a device works. Therefore, choose one that offers the easiest scanning process possible and save yourself both time and nerves.

Scans Quality

The scanner might offer fast performance and scan tens of scans per minute; however, if they are of poor quality, all that is worthless. In other words, buy the slide scanner that will give you the best quality possible.

Best Slide Scanners

KODAK SCANZA Slide Scanner

An Excellent Tool for Digitalizing Your Entire Film Collection

kodak scanza digital film & slide scanner
KODAK SCANZA Digital Film & Slide Scanner is a decent quality slide scanner that delivers fast performance, ability to be used without a computer, as well as good connectivity that involves micro USB and HDMI outputs, SD card reader and TV output.

Although it doesn’t provide professional-quality scans, this device is a perfect choice for home use and scanning films and slides for social media. It is equipped with an intuitive interface, and a fairly decent 14MP sensor that delivers scans with a resolution of 4320×2880 pixels, while these numbers raise up to 5728×3824 pixels with the help of interpolation, which isn’t great, but for digitalizing your home collection, it is certainly more than enough.

KODAK SCANZA Digital Film & Slide Scanner is compatible with both Mac and Windows-based devices, it comes fitted with 3.5” tilting LCD screen and more importantly, supports scanning of 35mm, 126, 110, Super 8 and 8mm negatives and slides. However, it doesn’t support the medium format and can scan only in .jpeg format, which is certainly unacceptable according to many.

All in all, KODAK SCANZA Digital Film & Slide Scanner probably isn’t the best negative scanner you can find on the market; nevertheless, if you want to easily digitalize your entire negatives collection in a straightforward manner, this is probably the best tool for that.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Good connectivity
  • Fast performance
  • It can work without a computer
Cons:

  • Feels a bit cheap
  • It doesn’t support medium format
  • It can save only in .jpeg

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KODAK Slide N SCAN Scanner

The Ideal Scanner for Digitalizing your Photo Memories

kodak slide n scan film and slide scanner
KODAK Slide N SCAN Film and Slide Scanner is a device that will help you transfer your old negatives collection into a digital form with ease. This is a device that provides fast scanning performance and supports a variety of formats, including 50mm, 110mm, 126mm, and 135mm slides, as well as negatives in 135mm, 126mm, and 110mm format.

KODAK Slide N SCAN allows saving your files directly to an SD card or your computer through the USB Type-C connection and comes fitted with proper slide adapters (Quick-Feeding Tray) that help you scan them fast and simple. Moreover, this device is equipped with a high-quality 5” LCD display and more importantly, Capture Software that enables you to make numerous edits on your scans, including conversions, resizes, and similar.

Just like KODAK SCANZA, KODAK Slide N SCAN scanner comes with a 14MP CMOS image sensor and allows for the image interpolation at up to 22MP. In other words, it offers decent performance and features for the price and is very easy to use, which makes it a highly attractive option and one of the best film and negative scanners for home use available on the market.

Pros:

  • Fast performance
  • Decent software
  • Easy to use
Cons:

  • The device needs to be rebooted from time to time

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Epson Perfection V600

A Scanner Dedicated to Film and Negative Scanning

epson perfection v600
Epson Perfection V600 is a high-quality film and negative flatbed scanner that delivers great accuracy and excellent quality of the scans.

Unfortunately, this scanner isn’t perfect and won’t give you blazing fast performance; however, if you are after 6400×9600 dpi high-end slide, negative and film scans, this device is simply a great deal.

It is easy to use, compatible with 35mm and medium format films, and it provides USB2.0 connectivity. Moreover, its software package, although a bit clunky, offers plenty of options, such as film dust and scratch removal and photo fix, and it includes a highly capable ABBYY FineReader Sprint Plus OCR software.

Epson Perfection V600 offers auto, home, and professional mode; it saves scans in .jpeg format and overall provides fairly decent value for the money if you are looking for the best film scanner.

Pros:

  • Can scan photos and negatives
  • Good quality scanning
  • Highly accurate
  • Easy to use
  • Fairly priced
Cons:

  • Not the best software
  • A bit slow

Check Prices

Wolverine Titan Digital Converter

A Solid Slide Scanner Option for Social Media Fans

wolverine titan 8-in-1 high resolution film to digital converter
If you are after a slide scanner that offers good connectivity, fast performance, as well as solid compatibility, Wolverine Titan 8-in-1 High-Resolution Film to Digital Converter is the device for you. However, have in mind that this is an entry-level device. Therefore, don’t expect miracles, because you certainly won’t get them.

Wolverine Titan 8-in-1 Converter is able to scan a slide in three seconds; it works with both Windows and Mac and provides an assortment of connectivity options, including HDMI and Mini USB ports, as well as a built-in SD card reader. Moreover, it comes equipped with fast loading slides and negative adapters, and more importantly, it can be used alone, without any software or computer.

Wolverine Titan 8-in-1 Converter is fitted with 4.3″ color screen and supports a variety of formats, including 126kpk and 35mm film and 127 and 110 slides.

Unfortunately, where it matters the most, in the scans quality department, this scanner doesn’t really shine. Its scans of scenes, with a lot of shadows and highlights, may offer mediocre color balance, artifacts, and similar stuff that nobody wants to see on their scans. Thankfully, the majority of its scans are of decent quality and don’t show this type of a problem, but be aware that this problem does exist and that you might end up with a few scans that demand future editing.

In other words, this is a perfect portable scanner for posting on Social media and similar tasks. However, if you want to bring your old memories to life, Wolverine Titan 8-in-1’s performance might be unpredictable.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Fast performance
  • Good connectivity
  • Portable
Cons:

  • In some cases, it has a mediocre color balance of the scans
  • Only modest scans quality

Check Prices

Magnasonic All-in-One

A Practical and Easy to Use Slide Scanner

magnasonic all-in-one 22mp

Magnasonic All-in-One is a compact and easy-to-use slide scanner that can scan negatives in less than five seconds. This scanner is fitted with a 5” LCD screen that lets you make color and brightness corrections, as well as other small adjustments, to create the images that fit your preferences. More importantly, Magnasonic comes equipped with a 14 MP CMOS sensor that allows the creation of 4490 by 3412 pixels images, with the help of interpolation, and supports a wide variety of formats such as 35mm, 110 and 126, Super 8 film negatives, as well as 110, 126 and 135 slides.

Magnasonic All-in-One is an FCC, ICES, and cETL/ETL certified device that allows individual use, without the need for a PC, driver installation, or other time-consuming activities. To be exact, with this device, you can directly share scanned images to Social Media, send them over email, or save them on built-in 128MB memory, or an SD card that can be up to 128GB in size.

In other words, if you need a useful and versatile slide scanner that brings everything you need and much more, Magnasonic All-in-One is a device to consider.

Pros:

  • Fast performance
  • Easy to use
  • Good compatibility
  • 5” LCD screen
Cons:

  • Images may be a bit reddish

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KODAK Mobile Film Scanner

A Perfect Social Media Companion

kodak mobile film scanner
If you are looking for a film scanner that will give you fast performance, ease of use, and good mobile and Social Media connectivity, KODAK Mobile Film Scanner is the device for you. This device is cheap, it works with 35mm negatives and slides and can work with both iOS and Android-based smart devices.

Everything you need for it to work is the already mentioned smartphone or tablet, as well as the dedicated app that comes with numerous enhancement functions, such as exposure, saturation, sharpness, filters, and similar, helping you easily edit the scans before their Social Media posting.

In other words, for Social Media, this cardboard scanner is a perfect companion and probably the best 35mm slide scanner there is. However, for any other, more serious use, it is simply out of the question.

Pros:

  • Cheap
  • Easy to use
  • Good mobile and Social Media connectivity
Cons:

  • Cardboard construction
  • Not that great scans quality
  • You need to manually move the film to next frame during scanning

Check Prices

KODAK Mini

A Slide Scanner that Has Everything You Need

kodak mini

KODAK Mini is a reasonably priced, compact, easy-to-use all-in-one slide scanner that offers fast performance and excellent compatibility. This scanner can be used with 110, 126, and 135 slides and negatives, Super 8 film negatives, and many other negative and slide types.

KODAK Mini is a standalone device that can be used without a PC and it offers multiple options for image editing, as well as the ability to post the scans directly to Social Media, save them on the built-in 128MB memory, or an SD card that can be up to 32GB in size.

KODAK Mini is fitted with the 14” CMOS sensor that creates 22MP images, with the help of interpolation and a 2.4” LCD liquid crystal display that, along with the intuitive commands, offers ease of use and allows you to back up your old memories with ease.

In other words, KODAK Mini is a pretty good all-in-one device that brings a good value for the money, belongs to the sheer top among the best slide scanners, and makes itself a great overall choice.

Pros:

  • Good compatibility
  • Compact
  • Easy to use
  • Good scan quality
Cons:

  • It doesn’t automatically remove scratches from the scans

Check Prices

Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600

A Feature-Rich, User-friendly Scanner

fujitsu scansnap ix1600

Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 is a high-quality multipurpose scanner that brings excellent-quality scans, whether they are documents, photos, or receipts. Its scans are crisp, with good color accuracy, and without any smudges or unevenness.

Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 comes with a 50-sheet auto feeder and is capable of scanning up to 40 pages per minute. To make things even better, this scanner comes with an excellent, user-friendly ScanSnap Home 2.0 software that offers ease of digitalization, saving, and organization of scans.

Also, this scanner comes with USB and Wi-Fi connectivity (in both 2.4GHz and 5GHz range), and allows a standalone use, without the need for a PC, letting you easily share files with your smart devices or cloud services. Of course, Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 can also be paired with a computer and is compatible with both Windows and Mac.

Moreover, this scanner supports up to 4 user licenses; it comes in black and white color and offers ease of use that software makes a winning combination when combined with the responsive 4.3” touch-screen and intuitive ScanSnap Home 2.0.

All in all, if money isn’t an issue and you are willing to invest in the best photo scanner possible that brings nothing but perfection, Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 is an amazing choice and a device that certainly won’t disappoint you.

Pros:

  • Fast performance
  • Good connectivity
  • Intuitive software
  • Excellent quality of the scans
  • Touch-screen interface
Cons:

  • Pricey

Check Prices

Summary

Ready to revive your old memories? We hope this manual was helpful and we are sure you can find the right device to do that in the list above! Have fun!

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The Best Laminators to Buy Today https://www.techsmotion.com/best-laminator/ https://www.techsmotion.com/best-laminator/#respond Wed, 10 Jun 2020 13:57:07 +0000 https://www.techsmotion.com/?p=8822 If you are into the creative or printing business, or just an artistic individual, you are well aware of the importance of the proper hardware. Only the right color laser printer or photo printer can deliver a quality product, while, on the other hand, only the proper paper shredder can, without a hassle, efficiently destroy every misfit that comes as the result of your work. However, if you want your work to be protected from dirt, dust, and altogether much more durable, your only option is the purchase of the best laminator. Of course, buying such a product usually requires that you are familiar with the whole laminating process, which isn’t always the case. For that reason, this guide will...

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The Best Laminators to Buy Today
If you are into the creative or printing business, or just an artistic individual, you are well aware of the importance of the proper hardware. Only the right color laser printer or photo printer can deliver a quality product, while, on the other hand, only the proper paper shredder can, without a hassle, efficiently destroy every misfit that comes as the result of your work.

However, if you want your work to be protected from dirt, dust, and altogether much more durable, your only option is the purchase of the best laminator. Of course, buying such a product usually requires that you are familiar with the whole laminating process, which isn’t always the case.

For that reason, this guide will introduce you to the important aspects of the best laminators and let you know what characteristics you should pay your attention to.

How to choose the best laminator

A decision on what a proper laminator for your needs is should be based on the multiple characteristics, but the most prominent ones are definitely the following ones:

Speed

You want your laminating process to last the least possible. Therefore, always go for the fastest devices out there.

Pouches thickness

When you are purchasing a laminator, it is important that you choose the one that can handle as many different pouch thicknesses as possible. The more it can manage, the better the versatility of the whole device.

Items wideness

Similar to pouch thickness, item wideness also plays a major role. The wider the item that the laminator can cope with, the better the overall usability of the device you will get.

Best Laminators

Crenova A4 Laminator

A Basic, but Very Capable Compact Laminator

crenova a4 laminator
Crenova A4 Laminator is an affordable and easy to use device that delivers only the basic functions that make it suitable for home and not-too-demanding office use.

This laminator has a very short warm-up time of three to five minutes, and a very fast 250mm/min laminating speed that allows it to handle up to 50 pages per hour. Moreover, this device offers paper trimming and corner rounding functions and supports a variety of paper sizes, up to A4 format.

Crenova A4 Laminator is a 265W device that comes with a 2-roller heating system; it is lightweight and compact, and overall it will give you a very good value for the money.

In other words, if you are looking for the best laminator for home use and small offices, Crenova A4 Laminator is a great choice.

Pros:

  • Compact
  • Lightweight
  • Short warm-up time
Cons:

  • Rather basic functions

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Amazon Basics 9-Inch Thermal Laminator Machine

A Laminator that Does the Job

amazon basics 9-inch thermal laminator machine

If you are looking for a good-quality laminator that is affordable, that provides solid performance, and is easy to use, Amazon Basics 9-Inch Thermal Laminator Machine is more than a reasonable choice.

With this device, you are getting a fast warm-up time between three and five minutes, Ready indicator lights, as well as portable and compact build that is always a welcomed characteristic. In addition, this laminator supports 3 mm and 5 mm pouches and can laminate documents that are up to nine inches wide.

More importantly, Amazon Basics 9-Inch Thermal Laminator Machine can work with multiple formats, such as letters, legal-size paper, a variety of photo sizes, and much more.

In other words, if you after a decent laminator that won’t take too much money out of your pocket, yet will do more than a good job, Amazon Basics 9-Inch Thermal Laminator Machine is the option to seriously consider.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Excellent value for the money
  • Decent performance
  • Small size
  • Portable
  • Heats up quickly
Cons:

  • It can jam from time to time
  • Not the best quality control

Check Prices

Scotch Thermal Laminator TL901X

An Excellent Laminator for the Price

scotch thermal laminator tl901x
Scotch Thermal Laminator TL901X is a simple and easy to use laminator that doesn’t offer any fancy features but delivers fairly decent performance that should satisfy the majority of home and small office users.

This laminator is able to laminate pouches that are up to 5mm thick and up to 23cm wide, it offers a two-roller heating system and has a pretty fast warm-up time that lasts between one and six minutes, depending on the situation.

Scotch Thermal Laminator TL901X is an affordable device, with a very good value for the money. Therefore, if you are looking for the best laminator, with great reliability, this is definitely one of the better choices out there.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • A decent warm-up time
  • Solid performance
Cons:

  • Not the best build quality

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Sinopuren 9-Inch Thermal Laminator

An Excellent Multifunctional Thermal Laminator

sinopuren 9-inch thermal laminator

Sinopuren 9-Inch Thermal Laminator is a fast, compact device, with excellent versatility and a long list of features that rightfully position it among the best laminators available on the market. This is a device that brings nothing but the best, which includes the special anti-jam ABS button, quick three-minute warm-up time, as well as great laminating speed of 400mm/min.

In addition, Sinopuren 9-Inch Thermal Laminator also comes along with a built-in hole puncher and paper trimer, as well as an automatic shut-down function that saves energy and protects the device from overheating. Moreover, this laminator works with pouches that are from three to five mm thick, and documents that are up to 230mm wide.

Its maximum working temperature is set at 125℃, while the two-roller system guarantees for a good performance, making a Sinopuren 9-Inch Thermal Laminator a pretty good deal.

Pros:

  • Compact
  • Portable
  • Fast performance
  • Automatic shut-down function
  • ABS anti-jam button
  • Built-in hole puncher and paper trimer
Cons:

  • None

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Swingline Laminator 1701857ECR

A Decent and Affordable Home and Small Office Laminator

swingline laminator 1701857ecr
Finding a laminator that is both pleasing both esthetically and performance-wise is no easy task. However, that became possible with the arrival of Swingline Laminator 1701857ECR.

This is a home and small office laminator that is perfect for creative lamination, with only four minutes warm-up time and more importantly, excellent wrinkle-free performances that will satisfy even the most demanding users.

With this device, you will get a slim and compact design, and a little bit of chic feel. Swingline Laminator 1701857ECR is available in gray/white and pink/white color combinations; it supports 229mm-wide items and can work with both three- and five-millimeter laminating pouches.

Moreover, this device is fitted with a jam release lever and overall delivers everything that you might need. Therefore, if you are after the best laminator for teachers, schools, or generally any creative use, Swingline Laminator 1701857ECR is the device for you.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Compact
  • Slim
  • Cold lamination
Cons:

  • Only a 90-day warranty

Check Prices

Scotch Brand Pro Laminator TL906

A Very Good Laminator for the Price

scotch brand pro thermal laminator tl906
Scotch Brand Pro Thermal Laminator TL906 is a solid and practical device that comes along with two thermal rollers and provides excellent quality.

It can work with any pouch that is between three and five millimeters thick; it has a five-minute warm-up time and can work with items that are up to 229mm wide.

Scotch Brand Pro Thermal Laminator TL906 offers fast performance and can achieve a laminating speed of 381mm/minute. Moreover, it is packed with multiple handy features such as auto shut-off that turns off the machine when it has been inactive for an hour, never jam technology that prevents items misfed, etc.

In other words, if you want the full deal and one of the best laminators out there, Scotch Brand Pro Thermal Laminator TL906 is the device you should seek.

Pros:

  • Fast
  • Easy to use
  • Excellent quality
Cons:

  • Not the best build quality

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Merece Laminator

A Perfect All-in-One Device

merece laminator

Merece Laminator is an affordable, yet efficient laminator that offers great versatility and functionality, and presents one of the best thermal laminators you can find on the market.

This is a reliable device, with a solid 280mm/min laminating speed, and an impressive 90-second warm-up time that is definitely at the sheer top of the class. In addition, Merece Laminator also comes fitted with a corner rounder, paper trimmer, as well as an ABS anti-jam button that will make your life much easier.

To make things even better, this laminator supports both thermal and cold laminating modes and works with 150mic to 250mic pouches, as well as a variety of formats and products such as photos, letters, paintings, business cards, and so on.

Its two-roller system guarantees smooth and efficient lamination, while the compact size makes it a perfect addition to any office or working room. All in all, if you are after an affordable, but efficient laminator, Merece Laminator is a sure thing.

Pros:

  • Reliable performance
  • Great versatility
  • ABS anti-jam button
  • Solid performance
  • Compact
Cons:

  • None

Check Prices

Summary

If you are ready to treat yourself with a great laminator, now you have all the necessary information and great suggestions. All that’s left to do is pick your favorite and start laminating!

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The Best Color Laser Printers in 2023 https://www.techsmotion.com/best-color-laser-printer/ https://www.techsmotion.com/best-color-laser-printer/#respond Sun, 12 Apr 2020 13:58:23 +0000 https://www.techsmotion.com/?p=7767 A successful small business office requires the proper equipment to flourish, from quality PCs and monitors to the best paper shredders and the best color laser printers. Each of these devices plays an important part in business development and they must be chosen with special care, especially devices like printers that need to fulfill multiple people’s needs and deliver fast performance that will affect the business in many ways. For that reason, if you are not familiar with printers, it is important that you consult someone that is before the purchase, or listen for advice from this guide and find the best color laser printer in no-time. Top Picks How to Choose the Best Color Laser Printer When deciding on...

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the best color laser printers
A successful small business office requires the proper equipment to flourish, from quality PCs and monitors to the best paper shredders and the best color laser printers. Each of these devices plays an important part in business development and they must be chosen with special care, especially devices like printers that need to fulfill multiple people’s needs and deliver fast performance that will affect the business in many ways.

For that reason, if you are not familiar with printers, it is important that you consult someone that is before the purchase, or listen for advice from this guide and find the best color laser printer in no-time.

Top Picks

Last update on 2023-09-22 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

How to Choose the Best Color Laser Printer

When deciding on the perfect device for your business, you must take a few things into account.

Connectivity

Good connectivity is always beneficial, no matter what type of device you are buying. It gives you more flexibility, functionality and overall makes your life much easier. For that reason, although it isn’t mandatory, choose the device with as many connectivity options as possible.

Speed

Although “Time is money” is a worn-out quote, its message is still a fact and can be easily applied to printers. If your printer is too slow, you and your co-workers will probably spend a lot of time waiting for the important documents to print and by doing that you will have less time for some other activities, or maybe even miss some of the other lucrative projects. In other words, you will lose money.

Don’t let that happen and choose the printers that can print at least 20 or 25 pages per minute and save yourself and your colleagues from future trouble.

Cost per printed page

The running cost of a printer is best depicted in the cost of its printed page. In other words, a printer may initially be super-cheap, but if you need to buy expensive toners every now and then, its affordability will quickly fade away and you will end up with a lot of expenses you could have avoided.

Therefore, don’t be misled by the price of the printer itself, but check what its real cost is and be sure that you won’t spend a real fortune on future “refills”.

Best Color Laser Printers

Canon Color imageCLASS MF743Cdw

A Great MFP Device for the Price

canon color imageclass mf743cdw
Canon Color imageCLASS MF743Cdw is a laser printer that brings reliable and cost-effective performance, and foremost a great print quality.

This printer is predominantly designed for small and medium-sized businesses that are seeking good overall functionality and monthly page volume of up to 4000 prints.

MF743Cdw is an MFP device, with fast operations in both printing (printing of five-page text document demands 26.6 seconds) and scanning (color scan at 600dpi, requires 25 seconds) and altogether decent connectivity that incorporates NFC and Wi-Fi direct, as well as a dedicated USB port for Direct Printing.

More importantly, this printer provides excellent quality prints, with sharp text and detailed graphics, as well as good mid-tone transitions, but unfortunately, a bit too light color reproduction.

MF743Cdw comes with a three-year warranty and high-capacity toners that deliver an excellent cost per page and has multiple handy accessories like 50-sheet automatic document feeder, or optional 550-sheet paper cassette that altogether broaden its overall functionality.

To make a long story short, if you are after the best all in one-color laser printer for your business, Canon Color imageCLASS MF743Cdw comes as a great opportunity.

Pros:

  • Low cost per page
  • Great image quality
  • Solid printing speed
  • Excellent usability
  • Ease of use
  • Amazing functionality
Cons:

  • Large
  • Slow duplex printing
  • Pretty heavy

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HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw

A Reliable, Fast-Paced Laser Printer

hp color laserjet pro m454dw printer
Reliable and efficient performance is the characteristic that everyone is searching for in their brand new printer. However, not all devices are born equal, so to say, and some of them are more capable than the others, which in this case goes on behalf of HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw printer that offers a lot of features and more than a solid performance for its price.

This is a printer with a maximum recommended capacity of 4000 prints per month, good connectivity that involves Wi-Fi and Ethernet networking, as well as USB and Wi-Fi direct printing and on top of that, a solid printing speed of 28 pages a minute.

Because of its limited 600x600dpi print resolution, this surely isn’t one of the best color laser printers for photos out there. Nevertheless, when it comes to document printing, this device will provide very sharp text and vivid graphics that will satisfy the majority of users.

HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw Printer has a one-year warranty and tray capacity of 250 sheets; it is easy to set up and overall delivers great value. However, be aware of its pricey toners that are one of the rare downsides of this otherwise excellent printer.

Pros:

  • Decent quality printing
  • Easy to setup
  • Good connectivity
  • Fast performance
Cons:

  • Expensive toners

Check Prices

 

Brother HL-L8360CDW

An Affordable, yet Solid Laser Printer

brother business color laser printer, hl-l8360cdw
A good balance of performance and price has always been a winning combination, and Brother Business Color Laser Printer, HL-L8360CDW is no exception to this rule.

Thanks to its budget-friendly prices, as well as low running costs that also involve high-yield replacement toner, with 6500-page capacity, this printer is a perfect choice for small and medium businesses that are counting their every cent.

Moreover, this device provides fast printing, with a speed of 33 prints per minute and has a decent monthly capacity of up to 4000 prints. Also, its paper capacity is fairly decent – 300 sheets (250 in the paper cassette and 50 in the multipurpose tray), while its great connectivity, with Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi, as well as USB and Wi-Fi a successful and NFC make this printer a dream machine for a large base of businesses.

Considering printing quality, be aware that this isn’t the best photo printer and that although its photo quality is pretty good, it still lacks a certain level of detail. On the other hand, text reproduction is of the highest quality, with very clear text prints that, along with its other qualities, automatically nominate Brother Business Color Laser Printer, HL-L8360CDW for the top rank, among the best color laser printers out there.

Pros:

  • Fast
  • Low running costs
  • Good printing quality
Cons:

  • Not the best photo quality

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HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw

A Simple, yet Efficient Color Laser Printer

hp color laserjet pro m255dw

HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw is a compact, user-friendly device that offers fast printing and ease of use, as it should be the case with one of the best color laser printers. This printer has a printing speed of 22ppm, in both black and white and color. Equally importantly, it has great connectivity that includes Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB connection, as well as the USB-A connectivity, offering great versatility to the user.

Moreover, HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw brings automatic two-sided printing, multiple security features, and a decent capacity that involves 250 input sheets and 100 output sheets. Also, this printer supports multiple printing formats, such as letter, legal, executive, A4, A5, A5-R, A6, B5, B6, 16K, postcards, and many others.

To make things even better, HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw also supports remote printing through the HP Smart app. It has a one-year warranty and provides a sturdy, yet compact build that makes it suitable for almost any space.

In other words, if you want more-than-solid color laser printing, and exceptional grayscale printing that is up to the standards of the best monochrome laser printers, HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw is made for you.

Pros:

  • Great printing speed
  • Great cost per print for black and white prints
  • Easy to use
  • Sturdy
  • Compact
  • User friendly
Cons:

  • Not the best photo print quality
  • No scanning function

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Brother HL-L3210CW

A Basic and Affordable Laser Printer

brother hl-l3210cw
A tight budget is usually a limiting factor when you are deciding for your new device purchase, but luckily that doesn’t necessarily mean you will end up with a poor-quality product. Devices such as Brother HL-L3210CW laser printer are one of the reasons for that. This printer offers basic functionality and solid performance at an affordable price, which makes it pretty attractive for a large base of users.

Of course, Brother HL-L3210CW is no wonder product and don’t expect miracles. However, if you are seeking a good quality text and photo printing, followed by low running costs, this is definitely the best home color laser printer available.

Brother HL-L3210CW offers a decent print speed of 19 pages per minute; it is equipped with a solid 250 sheet paper tray and is designed for up to 1500 monthly prints, which is enough for both home users and small office businesses. Moreover, it is fitted with numerous connectivity options that involve traditional Wi-Fi networking, as well as Wi-Fi and USB direct.

Brother HL-L3210CW is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems and can work with Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria, and other apps that make this device highly-functional.

All in all, if you are looking for a good quality entry-level device, with more than a good performance and low cost per print, Brother HL-L3210CW is an ideal printer for you.

Pros:

  • Low cost per print
  • Good connectivity
  • Good photo and text quality
  • Affordable
Cons:

  • No Ethernet connection
  • Not the best quality of the printed graphics

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Brother MFC-L3770CDW

A Well-Balanced, Entry-level AIO Printer

brother mfc-l3770cdw
A proper combination of features and price has always been an important aspect that determines the success of a product, especially in the entry-level market where users are carefully counting their every cent, and Brother MFC-L3770CDW AIO printer perfectly fits into that role.

It is affordable, it offers a low cost per print and is feature-rich, which makes its usage a pleasant experience. On top of that, its printing speed is the highly respectable 25 pages per minute, while its connectivity involves built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet connection, as well as NFC and USB Direct.

In other words, everything you would expect from the best color laser printer all-in-one is present, with the exception that this isn’t a laser printer in the first place, but a LED one that offers similar performance, at a more affordable price, which ultimately makes this sort of printers highly attractive.

Brother MFC-L3770CDW comes with a 250-sheet paper tray and 30-sheet multipurpose tray and is intended for up to 1500 monthly prints. It is easy to use, it delivers excellent print, copies and scan quality and overall presents a great deal for small businesses.

Pros:

  • Fast performance
  • Great print, copy and scan quality
  • Good connectivity
  • Low cost per print
  • Easy to use
Cons:

  • Not the best toner design

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Canon Color imageCLASS MF644CDW

A Well-Balanced, Entry-level AIO Printer

brother mfc-l3770cdw
Canon Color imageCLASS MF644CDW is an easy-to-use, entry-level multifunction device that supports Alexa voice controls and offers excellent compatibility that allows its use with multiple platforms, such as Mac, iOS, Windows, as well as Android devices.

Equally importantly, this MFP also brings good connectivity and is fitted with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB2.0 connection. In addition, it is compatible with multiple cloud services, such as Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria, as well as Canon Print Business. To make things even better, Canon Color imageCLASS MF644CDW also offers reliable performance and brings excellent print quality, as should be the case with one of the best color laser printers available on the market.

Moreover, its printing speed is solid at 22 prints per minute, while the scanning speed is around 51 images per minute. Canon Color imageCLASS MF644CDW supports Auto-Duplex, One Pass Scan, Duplex Print, and comes with a 250-sheet cassette that, unfortunately, cannot be extended, offering a limited input capacity. However, large volume printing isn’t this printer’s job in the first place; therefore, that shouldn’t cause too much of a problem for anyone.

All in all, Canon Color imageCLASS MF644CDW is a solid, fast-performing MFP device that is a perfect fit for most small businesses and home offices and is one of the best MFP devices available on the market.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Three-year warranty
  • Decent printing speed
  • High-quality printing
  • Compact
Cons:

  • High running costs
  • Paper input capacity cannot be extended

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Conclusion

Looking for a great color laser printer should be much easier now – at least we hope so! Take another look at our list and choose your champion, then get down to that printing!

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