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Cool Tools: Scanning documents on the run
Want to turn that signed contract into an electronic document before you even leave the showing? Think handheld scanners.
This nifty device can quickly scan notes, business cards and sales contracts. Measuring less than 2 inches high and 2 inches wide and weighing only ounces, it's portable enough to tuck into your laptop case. It can scan a full 8 1⁄2 x 11-inch sheet of paper in about 5 seconds.
We researched two different versions, one with batteries, the DocuPen, and one that runs off the power of your PC or laptop, the Antec Attache. The major difference between the two, other than their source of power, is price, with the laptop model significantly less expensive.
To scan a document with the battery-operated DocuPen, roll the scanner across the paper you wish to copy. For optimum scans, place your original documents on a clean, hard surface. Make sure the rollers face toward you, and then scan from the top of the document to the bottom. Put slight pressure on the roller to ensure proper tracking. Scanning a bound document can be tricky, so plan on practicing a bit, try to scan with a constant speed and avoid twisting the scanner to prevent distortion.
The second scanner, Antec Attache, operates similarly, but the document is fed through the device. Remember: "What you scan is what you get." Scanning in hi-resolution mode yields the best results.
Both types of scanners use software that integrates scanned electronic documents with e-mail programs such as Outlook Express or Microsoft Outlook. There is also built-in OCR (Optical Character Recognition) that enables you to edit the scanned text once it has been uploaded into a word processing file. The program integrates with Microsoft Word, Notepad and WordPad.
All data remains in memory until it is downloaded or deleted.
Product comparisons
| DocuPen | Antec Attache Path Through Scanner | |
| Features | USB cables, protective leather case, LED indicators to show errors | Protective leather case, 5 scanning modes, adapts to various thicknesses of paper |
| Power Source | Coin batteries good for about 200 page scans | PC card port on a notebook computer |
| Size | Approximately 8 inches x .5 inches x .7 inches; weighs 4 ounces with batteries | Approximately 10 inches x 2 inches x 2 inches; weighs less than 12 ounces |
| Maximum Scan | 8 inches wide, up to 36 inches in length | 8 inches wide, up to legal size in length |
| Memory | 2 MB or approximately 100 pages | Scans directly into computer |
| Price | $200 | $40 - $60 |
http://ww.dealtime.com/xPF-Antec_Attache
Have questions? Give the Tech team a call to discuss your needs.
Disclaimer: Product specifications are provided by the manufacturer and retailers, and may not be consistent with real-world performance. User experiences may vary. The Tech Team does not endorse or recommend any particular hardware or software; the items included in this feature are listed solely for your reference.
Copyright 2004 FAR