A Much Better Option than your standard multi-function printer…, August 16, 2010

The S1300 is definitely expensive, and it may seem unnecessary given that there are a lot of multifunction printers out there. I have to say though, that the software for it is awesome and that it has been an *incredible* time saver.

To give you a little background, I use to have a multi-function HP printer that had a flat-bed scanner attached. It had the potential to be decent, but the software SUCKED.

Every time I loaded a page on to my old multi-function printer, it would first have to take a test scan, then I’d have to preview the scanned page, and only then could I scan the document for real.

Each scan took about 10 seconds… It was agonizingly slow. So 10 seconds for the preview, a minute or two to change some settings, and then 10 seconds for the actual scan. I’d have change the settings for each page too. It was a serious pain. To scan a 10 page document would take about half an hour. Once the scans were done, I’d have to occasionally touch some of the images up in photoshop. That could take even longer.

Also the HP software runs a lot of useless background processes that steal RAM even when your computer isn’t scanning stuff. It noticeably slowed down my CPU.

I can’t speak for all the different brands out there, perhaps it was just HP. But unless you have a document feeder on your multifunction printer, you are going to be scanning one page at a time, and its going to take a while to get through something as short as a 10 page document.

My other beef with multifunction printers is that they often don’t function well as printers either. The ink for the inkjet kinds are expensive, and I’ve never owned an inkjet printer that lasted more than 3 years.

I’ve found that laser printers last a lot longer, and their toner is cheap, but to get a multi-function laser / scanner with a document feeder, you are looking at spending a LOT of money.

Anyway, this scanner on the other hand, chews through documents. I put the 10 page document in the scanner, and press the “SCAN” button. That’s it. From the moment I press the “Scan” button, to the moment that I have a useable, scanned pdf, it takes about 90 seconds.

The Fujitsu software automatically boots up (I don’t have to actually run the program at all) and as I scan the documents it asks me where to save the file. The files are automatically adjusted for contrast and brightness (its not perfect, but its pretty good) and are saved as pdfs.

Another really cool feature is that the Fujitsu software can automatically convert scanned images with text into SEARCHABLE documents, something completely outside of the capabilities of my old scanning software. I open up the Scansnap program, type in a couple key words, and very quickly find the documents that I’m looking for. The search functionality was in the end what convinced me to buy this scanner.

Because of this scanner I don’t ever fax things anymore. Its quicker to scan and email documents now, which saves a lot of time, and also makes it much easier to keep track of my correspondence with people.

The only downside to this scanner is that it quite obviously can’t scan images from a book per say, like a flat bed scanner can. It can only scan loose paper.

I haven’t found that to be a major downside yet, as over the past several months I haven’t actually needed to scan an image from a book. I can see how for certain people (someone writing a dissertation), a flatbed scanner would be essential.

The one other thing I would mention is that I don’t think that the Rack2file deluxe bundle is worth it. A friend of mine has the S1500 and it doesn’t really seem to add a lot of useful functionality. If you’re good with computers, know how file paths work, and have your own system of organization, you don’t really need it.

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Can’t get much better!, March 31, 2010

By 

Phillip J. Crump “jazzmanMPLS” (Minneapolis, MN) – See all my reviews

  

I bought the scanner because i wanted to image all of my historical tax records, medical records, etc. I have had it for approximately 2 weeks and have scanned about 2000 pages. It has functioned flawlessly in scanning duplex, color and B & W. The Rack2Filer software is pretty good as well and I am happy that I bought it because it allows me to organize the scans into Libraries, Cabinets & Binders. I’m running all of this on a Win2K box with 750MB of memory – so it’s no screaming machine.

I have never owned a scanner but would certantly recommend it to anyone who has a need for a fast, reliable (so far) duplex sheet fed compact scanner!

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Excelent scanner but beware of Software included, May 17, 2010

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Luis C. Gonzalez-serva (Coral Gables, Florida United States) – See all my reviews

  

First of all, the Deluxe bundle could be temporal, and after 40 days, you may need to formally buy the program. Secondly, I bought this scanner because of his dual platform, PC and MAC, and it works excellent on both, but RackFiler included on the bundle, this archival program does not work on a MAC!. Despite this , it is a great product. Simply, do not buy the Deluxe bundle….

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USB printer cable, February 2, 2002

I recently needed to buy a USB cable for my new printer and I found out that there are many USB cables at very different prices.
So, doing a search I found the “Belkin 10FT USBA/USBB Device Cable” but I was not sure if it would work for a printer. Since it was the less expensive I decided to give it a try.

I’m happy because the cable works great with my USB printer and I found out that the cable actually exceeds the features displayed on amazon site.

The cable manufacturer part number is F3U133-10.
With the following features:
- Hi-speed data transfer to 480Mbps
- 10 FT (3m)
- A plug/ B plug
- High performance 20-gauge power wires.
- USB logo guarantees cables are 100% compliant with current USB specifications (Works with all USB devices A/B plug).
- Works with USB 2.0
- Connect a USB 2.0 or 1.X device to your computer.
- Belkin lifetime warranty.
- Gold plated copper contacts provide maximum conductivity and minimizes data loss.

According to the manufacturer site you can connect your USB printer, scanner, hard drive and more to your computer. As I said, it works great with my USB printer.

I definitively recommend it because I got the less expensive (good length of 10ft) and great quality option for a USB printer cable. I’m also happy because the cable specifications exceeded my expectations for the money I paid.

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Works great, June 28, 2002

When I purchased this product I thought I was getting a USB version 1 cable. It turned out to be 2.0. Fortunately the package said it was backward compatible and it was.

The book that came with my printer stated I needed a USB cable with a length of no greater than 6 foot, shielded, etc. They should tell you this before you get the printer. Fortunately, the 10 foot cable connected and worked flawlessly. I always try to buy Belkin since they generally have top quality products and good support.

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great buy, November 4, 2003

By 

Deborah MacGillivray “Author,” (US & UK) – See all my reviews

  

  

  

one cannot write poetically about cords, but I can say this is super value. Much less than I saw on the market. Works great, quality is superior to what I was checking out for comparisons, and I was so THRILLED to have the longer length.

If you need extra USB cords, this is a good deal.

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