Canon P-150: Small Stature, Big Value
By +Dax Radder
Going along with the current technology trend of making everything smaller, Canon has released its miniature version of the traditional scanner to the general public. This iteration of the portable scanner is called the Canon P-150, and it packs quite a punch for such a little guy.
Canon P-150 Portable Document Scanner
First Impressions
For a scanner that is marketed as “portable,” the P-150 is significantly beefier than its slimmer cousins. Most portable scanners are a bit smaller than a standard box of spaghetti. The Canon P-150 portable document scanner is nearly twice this ideal size. Still, the scanner is quite suited for on-the-go usage because it is not large by any stretch of the imagination. The P-150 is a handsomely crafted piece of engineering with its shiny, black exterior and sleek overall appearance.
Installation
The setup of the P-150 is slightly more difficult than that of many other portable scanners because it requires one uncommon step. The separator pad is a part that needs to be manually installed by the user. All that is needed is the correct spatial positioning of the piece followed by a firm push to snap it into place. Once the pad is snapped into place, the rest of the install is cake. Just hook up a cable or two and then it’s all set.
The tricky part is that the scanner can run on either one supplied cable or both of them. Some people will wonder why two cables are needed when one works perfectly fine. Well, the greatest advantage of using both cables simultaneously is that the scanner can charge faster this way. The optional cable connects the scanner to a USB port on the computer in use. Otherwise, power can be obtained from the data cable by itself.
Another confusing aspect to the operation of the P-150 is the option to either install software or not. If one chooses not to install the software, plugging in the scanner to the computer’s USB port will bring up a utility in the form of a drive on the computer. This option allows instant scanning without further delay. The alternative is to go through the familiar installation process that is initiated by an automated program. This install option offers the choice of adding several extra bonuses. The full install is strongly recommended since the utility is very limited.
Performance
The Canon P-150 portable document scanner is an efficient, little machine. Its automatic feeder is a feature that many other micro-scanners do not have. This paper feeder holds up to 20 pages at a time so manual feeding is not a must. This option is probably the biggest advantage of the P-150 since automatic feeding makes this scanner much faster than its competitors. For black and white copies, the scanner can spit out 15 pages a minute. Color copies are processed at a slightly slower 10 pages a minute.
Duplex Scanning
While double-sided scanning is not possible with many portable scanners, the P-150 has no problem with duplex scanning. This is yet another benefit of the Canon over other varieties. Scanning is quick and easy with the double-sided scanning and automatic feeding combination.
The Bottom Line
For right around $250, it is tough to beat the Canon P-150 portable document scanner. While it isn’t the smallest one in its class, the P-150 makes up for its slightly cumbersome size with some great features that are absent on many other portable scanners. A duplex scanning ability and automatic feeding bay gives the Canon P-150 an advantage equivalent to a turbocharged engine on a sports sedan. If speed is what one needs, look no further than the P-150.
My Rating:
The Canon P-150 Scanner receives a rating of:
4 stars out of 5
Price Comparisons
While I make every effort to keep these price comparisons up-to-date, retailers do change their pricing frequently. Please use this comparison as a guide only!
Amazon.com………………………………………………………………..$234.99 (free shipping with no tax)*
Sears.com…………………………………………………………………….$274.99 (plus shipping plus tax)
Buy.com……………………………………………………………………….$258.99 (free shipping with no tax)*
Newegg.com…………………………………………………………………$254.99 (free shipping with no tax)*
*no tax is dependent upon your state residency.
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Click Here To Try The Canon P-150 Scanner Now
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Features
- Portable and mobile with a compact design capable of fitting into briefcases and laptop bags.
- USB powered scanning, making it possible for the scanner to be operated without an AC adapter. Currently no other scanner in this market segment is capable of scanning using only one USB cable.
- “Plug-and-Scan” function with embedded Canon CaptureOnTouch Lite for Windows, for immediate scanning without the need to install Windows drivers and applications.
- One-touch scanning through preprogrammed Scan Jobs.
- One-pass duplex scanning of batches up to 20 sheets.
- Fast scanning speeds of up to 15 pages per minute and 30 images per minute.
- Windows ISIS/TWAIN drivers and Mac TWAIN driver for tight integration with third-party software.
- Can be shared for use in both Windows and Mac environments.
Advanced Features
- Extensive feature-set normally found in high-end document scanners, such as Advanced Text Enhancement, Auto Color Detection, Auto Page Size Detection, and more.
Windows Compatible Software:
- Bundled with Canon CaptureOnTouch, CaptureOnTouch Lite, Nuance PaperPort, and NewSoft Presto! BizCard.
Specifications
| Model Name | imageFORMULA P-150 Portable Scanner |
| Type | Personal Scanner |
| Document Feeding | Automatic or Manual |
| Document Size Width | 2″ – 8.5″ |
| Document Size Length | 2.7″ – 14″ |
| Feeder Capacity | 20 Sheets |
| Grayscale | 8-Bit |
| Color | 24-Bit |
| Scanning Element | Contact Image Sensor (CMOS) |
| Light Source | RGB LED |
| Operating Modes | Simplex, Duplex, Color, Grayscale, Black and White, Error Diffusion, Advanced Text Enhancement |
| Drop Out Color | Red, Green, Blue |
| Optical Resolution | 600 dpi |
| Output Resolution | 150, 200, 240, 300, 400, 600 dpi |
| Scanning Speeds | |
| Black And White | Simplex: 15 ppm Duplex: 30 ipm |
| Grayscale | Simplex: 15 ppm Duplex: 30 ipm |
| Color 24 Bit | Simplex: 10 ppm Duplex: 20 ipm |
| Interface | Hi-Speed USB 2.0 |
| Scanner Drivers | Windows ISIS/TWAIN, Mac TWAIN |
| Dimensions | 1.6″ x 11″ x 3.7″ |
| Weight | 2.1 lb. |
| Power Consumption | Using 2 USB: 5W Using 1 USB: 2.5W In Sleep Mode: 1W |
| Other Features |
Bundled Software for Windows
|
| Options | Exchange Roller Kit eCarePAK (Exchange Service) |
Click Here To Try The Canon P-150 Scanner Now
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