Cameras & Scanners

What Type of Scanner Is Best for Office Use?

If you primarily scan paper documents, flatbed scanners are an ideal choice. Compact and convenient, they let you place documents flat on the scanning surface. Their space-saving design allows them to fit easily on your desk, and many models feature one-click scanning for quick use. Some even come with a vertical stand, adding flexibility in tight spaces.

Flatbed scanners are available in both wired and wireless options, supporting sizes up to A4. Wireless models can connect online to your network, while wired models require a power connection to operate.

How Do I Choose the Right Scanner for My Business?

Here are some of the factors to consider when choosing your scanner. 

• Technology: Will this scanner give you the sharpest image and offer good clarity with your scanned documents? 

• Scanning size: Do you need a scanner for A4 or bigger? Make sure to always check the size of the scan before making your selection.

• Longevity: Review the product warranty and customer feedback to ensure you choose a durable model. A good warranty provides added support, helping extend the life of your machine over time.

• Cost: Depending on your budget, you can find a range of options available at Office Choice. 

Explore the range of brands we have available in our catalogue today to find something for your office or home. 

Can I Connect My Office Scanner to a Wireless Network?

Yes, you can. Most of the brands we offer have models that allow you to connect to the internet wirelessly, making your scanning experience even more seamless. 

What Is the Difference Between a Flatbed Scanner and a Document Scanner?

• Flatbed Scanner 

Flatbed scanners have large glass surfaces where you place documents, photos, books, or even small objects to be scanned. The lid is closed over the items to keep them flat and in place during scanning.

They perfectly capture high-resolution images of the scanned items and are particularly good for delicate or bulky items that don’t feed through a scanner well, like old photographs, pages from a book, or fragile papers.

Generally, flatbed scanners are slower compared to document scanners, especially when handling multiple pages, because each page must be placed manually on the scanning surface.

• Sheetfed Scanner

Sheetfed scanners often feature an automatic document feeder (ADF), which allows you to feed multiple pages into the scanner at once, automatically scanning each page.

These scanners are optimised for handling stacks of paper documents quickly and efficiently, making them ideal for office settings where tasks like scanning multi-page contracts or forms are common.

Sheetfed scanners are primarily focused on handling paper documents and might not be suitable for scanning other types of media without risking damage to either the scanner or the item being scanned.

Sheetfed scanners are typically much faster than flatbed scanners when it comes to bulk scanning tasks. They can quickly process many pages per minute, which is a key advantage in high-volume scanning situations.

• Office Choice Recommendation: 

If your primary need is to scan many documents quickly, a sheetfed scanner with an automatic feeder will save you time.

For high-quality scans of different formats, photos, or sensitive documents, a flatbed scanner is often the best choice.

How Do I Keep My Office Scanner Well-Maintained?

With technology items such as office scanners, their physical functions last as long as you maintain them properly. While internal drivers might go out of date, it takes just a few minutes after use to clean your scanner. 

You can use a microfibre towel from our computer accessories range to wipe off dust and get rid of any residue or oil left behind from your hands. 

Is There a Scanner That Can Handle Large Documents at Office Choice?

Our scanners accommodate up to A4-sized sheets, documents, notebooks and small objects. If you’re looking to scan anything larger than that, please reach out to us or visit your nearest store, to see if we can source you with what you require. 

Are There Scanners That Work Well With Mac Computers?

All of the scanners we offer are compatible with Mac. Just make sure you follow the instructions in the manual. Otherwise please reach out to us or visit your nearest store if you have any issues with the scanner itself. 

How Do I Set Up My Office Scanner for the First Time?

For Windows PC

• Connect: Attach the scanner to your PC using a USB cable or connect to your network for wireless models.

• Install Software: Insert the software CD or download the drivers from the manufacturer's website and install them.

• Configure: Open the scanner software to adjust settings like resolution and file format.

• Test: Place a document in the scanner and run a test scan to ensure everything is working properly.

For Mac

• Connect: Connect the scanner to your Mac using a USB or to your Wi-Fi network.

• Software Installation: Download and install any necessary drivers from the manufacturer's website, if required.

• Add Scanner: Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners and add your scanner.

• Test: Open Preview or Image Capture, select your scanner, adjust settings, and scan a document to test.

Can I Scan Multiple Pages at Once With a Document Scanner? 

With an ADF (automatic document feeder) model, you can load up to 60 pages to automatically scan into a single PDF.  

Can Office Scanners Scan to PDF or Other Formats?

Generally, the scanners we offer will allow you to save files in PDF/A, PDF Searchable, TIFF, and JPEG formats. If you have Adobe Acrobat installed on your device, you will be able to convert any document into PDF.