I have a ScanSnap iX500 sitting on my desktop and connected via USB to my computer. The scanSnap is many times faster than the flatbed scanner, scans the front and back of documents in a single pass, has great resolution, and has a document feeder that works very well. The software that comes with the ScanSnap outputs in multiple formats including PDF and will OCR the PDF as well. One of the output options is "Scan To Print" which, for all intents and purposes functions as a copier. There are only two things it does not do…
  1. Scan a book — only a true flatbed scanner can do that
  2. Send or receive a fax
But then my printer is a multi-function device and provides those services which are very seldom needed. One other function provided by the ScanSnap software is direct input into Evernote which I find I am becoming more and more dependent on for personal and business record keeping.


"All you've got to do is own up to your ignorance
honestly, and you'll find people who are eager to
fill your head with information"
--Walt Disney