Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300 Portable Document

Scanner Review

By +Dax Radder

 

*** UPDATE ***

 

Fujitsu has updated the S1300 model to the S1300i.

New features include

• 1.5 times faster than the S1300
• now capable to scan to Android and Apple iOS 
• can waft with the Clouds:  Evernote, Google Docs, Dropbox, etc., etc.

 

Fujitsu list price is $295

>>Click here for a special price <<

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portable, mobile or both?

 

First of all, let’s get the semantics out of the way. I’m not sure why Fujitsu chose to go with the word mobile instead of the more pragmatic term portable. However, for the purposes of this Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300 Portable Document Scanner review, I’ll be using the word portable.

You see, upon researching those words with my trusty dictionary, portable and mobile have essentially the same meaning: “capable of being transported or conveyed” and “capable of moving or being moved readily.” What’s the difference? Not a whole lot that I can see other than the word mobile might be construed as the more “hip” word (e.g., mobile phone) as opposed to the more grandpa-ish portable word.

In any event, with the S1300 weighing in at six pounds, the S1300 scanner is roughly half the weight of it’s big brother the S1500 scanner which tips the scales at eleven pounds. Even though the footprint is smaller, I would argue that at six pounds, not many people would consider that light enough to be portable or mobile.

Fortunately, Fujitsu has come out with a truly mobile and portable document scanner, the S1100 scanner that is a measly one pounder. I’ll be reviewing that intriguing item in a future post.

But, this post is about the S1300, so let’s get on with the review:

 

Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300 Review

 

 

 

If your profession requires you to be on the road for any length of time, you know how precious portable (or mobile!) office devices can be to accomplish your job related tasks. With the S1300 document scanner, Fujitsu has further refined the functionality of a desktop scanner into a compact package.

Although it’s not the smallest portable document scanner on the market, the Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300 has many features that the smaller scanners simply cannot have due to space considerations. For instance, most of the small scanners are hand-fed only, the S1300 has an automatic document feeder that officially holds ten pages, but could hold ten more easily.

Another cool feature for this little workhorse that it does not share with its little brothers is that it scans both sides of the document (called duplex scanning in the spec sheet). Most, if not all, of the other wee portable scanners only offer simplex scanning or scanning of one side of the document. If time isn’t on your side for most of the day, the duplex scanning feature is critical as opposed to taking the time to hand-feed documents into a scanner, one by one, turn the page over, etc., etc., you get the idea.

One other great feature of the S1300 scanner is that it is a hybrid model and is compatible with both Windows® and Mac operating systems. For example, if you’re out on an appointment and your customer needs to borrow your scanner, yet he or she has a Mac and you have a PC, not a problem. It’s always nice to help the customer out!

 

 

 

 

Pros and Cons

 

Okay, let’s get down to brass tacks. (What? You don’t know that expression? Find it here.)

 

What I like

 

• Clearly, the overall positive for the Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300 Scanner (in its class) is the duplex scanning. It’s a time saver, pure and simple.
• The automatic document feeder holds up to ten pages or more. Another time saver.
• Unfold the automatic document feeder (adf) and the S1300 automatically turns on. Only one blue button to push. One touch and easy scanning.
• Compact. Half the size of desktop models and half the weight.
• The S1300 is a hybrid model, can be used on both a PC and a Mac. Never hurts to be to able to hit from both sides of the plate, no?
• Auto color detection. Auto size detection. Auto de-skew and auto orientation of the document. Blank page removal. More time savings.
• Easily converts your digitized documents into Word/Excel/PowerPoint® file formats.
• Installation is a breeze. Put in Fujitsu’s CD, load the software and you’re up and scanning in no time. Very convenient.
• USB or AC power source for added portability.
• Just like its big brothers, the S1300 has a one button searchable PDF creation and scans into JPEG for pictures.

 

What I don’t like

 

• Software, especially on the Mac side, could use some toning up.
• Photo scanning is a little on the fuzzy side and serviceable, but it’s not really designed for that.
• No carrying case. Hey, it’s supposed to be portable, why not include something to carry it in? Put Fujitsu all over it. More advertising.

 

 

 

 

 

The Bottom Line

 

The likes outweigh the dislikes and the Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300  Scanner is certainly a solid and well-performing piece of office equipment. You won’t go wrong adding this scanner to your arsenal of office devices.

 

 

My Rating

 

 

The Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300 Document Scanner

receives a rating of 4 and 1/2 stars out of 5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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            Click here to try the Fujitsu S1300 Portable Scanner

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Product Name		ScanSnap S1300
General Technical Specifications
Scanner Type		ADF (Automatic Document Feeder). Duplex color scanning
Scanning Modes		Color / Grayscale / Monochrome / Automatic Detection
Image Sensor		CIS (Color Image Sensor) X 2
Light Source		3 color LED (Red / Green / Blue)
Optical Resolution		600 dpi x 600 dpi
Scanning Speed(1) (A4 portrait / AC adapter)	Auto Mode(5)	Simplex or Duplex: 4 pages per minute
	Normal mode	Color 150 dpi, Grayscale 300 dpi: 8 pages per minute / 16 images per minute
	Better mode	Color 200 dpi, Grayscale 400 dpi: 6 pages per minute / 12 images per minute
	Best mode	Color 300 dpi, Grayscale 600 dpi: 4 pages per minute / 8 images per minute
	Excellent mode	Color 600 dpi, Grayscale 1,200 dpi: 0.5 pages per minute / 1 image per minute
Scanning Speed(1) (A4 portrait / USB bus power)(2)	Auto mode	Simplex of Duplex: 2 pages per minute
	Normal mode	Color 150 dpi, Grayscale 300 dpi: 4 pages per minute / 8 images per minute
	Better mode	Color 200 dpi, Grayscale 400 dpi: 3 pages per minute / 6 images per minute
	Best mode	Color 300 dpi, Grayscale 600 dpi: 2 pages per minute / 4 image per minute
	Excellent mode	Color 600 dpi, Grayscale 1,200 dpi: 0.5 pages per minute / 1 image per minute
Scanning Range		A4, A5, A6, B5, B6, Business card, Post card, Letter, Legal and Custom sizes. Max: 8.5 X 14.17 in. (216 X 360mm), Min: 2 X 2 in. (50.8 X 50.8mm), Automatically recognizes document type by paper length.
Paper Weight (Thickness)		17 to 28 lb. (64 to 104.7 g/m²)
Paper Chute Capacity		Maximum 10 sheets (A4 size at 20 lb. or 80 g/m2)
Interface		USB 2.0 (USB 1.1 Compatible)
Driver(3)		ScanSnap specific driver (TWAIN/ISIS® not supported) (3)
Included Items		USB cable, USB bus power cable, AC adapter, AC cable, Getting started guide and Setup DVD-ROM
Power Requirement	AC Adapter	AC 100V to 240V, 50 / 60 Hz
	USB Bus Power	5V / 1A (0.5A X 2 Port)
Power Consumption		Operating: 9W or less Sleep mode: Less than 5W
Operation Environment	Temperature	41°F to 95°F (5°C to 35°C)
	Relative humidity	20 to 80% (non-condensing)
Dimensions (W x D x H)(4)		11.18 in. x 3.90 in. x 3.03 in. (284mm x 99mm x 77mm)
Device Weight		3.08 lb. (1.4kg) without power adapter
Environmental Compliance		ENERGY STAR® Compliant / RoHS
Limited Warranty		1 year Limited Warranty. For full details, visit the warranties page or call (800) 626-4686.
Service Options		In-warranty Upgrade: Advance Exchange. Post-Warranty: Advance Exchange Plus, Depot Plus, ScanAid Kit, Cleaning and Consumable Kit. For full details on all service programs, visit www.ImagingService.com
Part Number		PA03603-B005

1

Scanning speeds may vary due to the system environment used.

2

Requires simultaneous connection to two active powered USB ports on computer.

3

TWAIN or ISIS® applications cannot be used directly.

4

When hopper is closed.

5

Documents measuring approximately 5.8 inches (148mm) in length or less are scanned in “Best mode” while other documents are scanned in “Better mode”

1

These applications only support Microsoft Windows®

2

Windows® Desktop Search (WDS) can be used with Windows® 7, Windows Vista™ or Windows® XP. Adobe® Acrobat® 7.0 or later (not included) is required in order to use the Adobe® Acrobat® search feature. Windows Vista™ users must apply the Adobe® Acrobat® update for Windows Vista™ before using the search feature.

3

Service Pack 2 or later required.

4

Service Pack 4 or later required.

5

Scanning speeds may drop if recommended CPU, memory capacity and USB 1.1 requirements are not met.

1

These applications only support Mac OS

2

Scanning speeds may drop if recommended CPU, memory capacity and USB 1.1 requirements are not met

3

Requires Rosetta

 

 

Software

[Note]

 

 

Options

[Note]

 

 

Included Items

• AC cable
• AC adapter
• USB bus power cable
• USB cable (2.0m)
• Getting started
• Set-up DVD-ROM
• Safety Precautions

 

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Price Comparisons for the Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300 Portable Document Scanner

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 ………………………………………$281.98 (free shipping with no tax)*

NewEgg.com………………………………………$294.99 (plus shipping with no tax)*

TigerDirect.com………………………………….$299.99(plus shipping with no tax)*

OfficeDepot.com…………………………………$301.95(free shipping and tax)

*no tax is dependent upon your state residency.

 

 

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            Click here to try the Fujitsu S1300 Portable Scanner

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