Fujitsu ScanSnap: Conclusion

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Fujitsu ScanSnap S500

Conclusion
June 21, 2006

Introduction • Installing The ScanSnap S500 • ScanSnap Manager v4.0 (Part 1)
ScanSnap Manager v4.0 (Part 2) • ScanSnap Manager v4.0 (Part 3) • ScanSnap Organizer v3.0
Cardminder v3.0 • ABBYY FineReader For ScanSnap 2.0 / PDF Transformer 1.0
Specifications • Conclusion • Additional Images

Pros

Improved scanning over all resolutions
Surprisingly small and compact size for what it does
Even quicker scans than the previous fi-5110EOX2 (20-25% increase)
Instant start-up due to the scanner's flap being the "on/off" switch
600dpi scans of color documents and images
Multiple scanning modes for a wide range of documents and images
USB2.0 connection for high-speed scans
Automatic de-skew, image rotation and paper size detection
Drag & Drop organization of PDF Thumbnail files within ScanSnap Organizer
ScanSnap Manager enables several complicated settings for each particular and unique document scanning need, available instantly with "profiles" of your scanning settings
Up to 10 profiles now available versus the previous 5
Cardminder scans a little quicker (probably due to the hardware/software design of the S500)
Heavy duty AC universal adapter
Automatically eliminate blank pages
Informative user manual
Carrier Sheet included
Built-in Stacker for easy installation (saves time too and won't get lost)
Automatic de-skew, image rotation and paper size detection
One year limited warranty
Optional Advance Exchange program (recommended)

Warnings

INSTALL SCANSNAP SOFTWARE FIRST - NO EXCEPTIONS - EVEN FOR WINDOWS XP USERS

Cons

None observed

The S500 is a welcomed improvement over the fi-5110EOX2 and I thoroughly enjoyed using it over the last month. The built-in stacker is more convenient than you might think. Having used the previous version, keeping the stacker on the scanner itself is the smart way to go. I'm sure you have enough accessories lying around your business or home office, and while a stacker might seem useless at the moment, it really comes in handy when you're scanning a large assortment of documents.

The Fujitsu ScanSnap S500 receives a solid

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Notice this time there are no Cons, as Fujitsu did a great job in making the scanner even better than before. ScanSnap Organizer v3.0 performed quicker than the previous version. Now the user has control over where the "preview" scans will display, as well as being able to resize the previews themselves. Depending on the processing power of your computer, you can choose larger or smaller previews.

Newly added to the ScanSnap software package are the ABBYY products, and they performed very well. ABBYY FineReader For ScanSnap 2.0 was a nice touch to all the other software applications and Fujitsu gets an extra thumbs-up from me. ABBYY includes another program for use, PDF Transformer, and it's unfortunate ABBYY didn't include PDF Transformer as part of the complimentary package to purchasing a ScanSnap. I'm sure if users liked the way ABBYY's programs performed such as I did, they wouldn't hesitate to purchase other programs. The trial version of PDF Transformer is severely clipped to 15 document transformations and should have been a 30-day trial version at the least.

For those who ask, "Did you still have fun scanning documents?" Hek yes I did! With one exception: I scanned more documents in the same amount of time as I did with the fi-5110EOX2. For those might be thinking about upgrading scanners, you will notice a difference, especially when you scan several images in a batch.

The ScanSnap S500 is the best ScanSnap currently made by Fujitsu which is not only of the same high quality you would expect from Fujitsu, but the S500 is more powerful than ever, and still retains the affordability.