Fujitsu ScanSnap S1100 CLR 600DPI USB Mobile Scanner (PA03610-B005)

I love the ScanSnap line and have had several models. I have adopted this product line at my workplace for personal scanners, and we have never had a failure. They're fast, reliable, durable and this model is no different. I've also owned the model slightly larger than this, the  Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300 Instant PDF Sheet-Fed Mobile Scanner (PA03603-B005) . I would definitely choose this model for the mobile traveling worker.This is the first ultra mobile Scansnap, and I cannot convey how impressed I am with it! The device is literally about the size of two snickers bars put end to end. It's tiny, feels well constructed, and does not require external power. The software installation is quick is easy. It does not come with Adobe Acrobat Full version, like some of the older models used to include. It does not scan double sided as do many of the other Scansnap devices. If you've used a scansnap this one puts the brakes on and reverses you-- the paper actually feeds in the front and out the back-- Opposite of all Scansnaps. It works just fine once you realize what's going on there.Those couple of drawbacks considered, if you are a mobile road warrior who needs to scan on the go, (signed paperwork, business cards, receipts, etc.) this is clearly my most preferred choice for a mobile scanner. The quality of scans is completely satisfactory, and honestly this little device does much better with tiny thin pieces of paper like receipts as compared to some of the larger models-- that are designed for a whole stack of paper-- and from time to time will skew a thin tiny receipt sideways and crinkle it up.My thoughts on this model vs. the S1300: If you travel and set up at a hotel, temporary office or trade table type environment for a few days or all day, or need double sided scanning, the S1300 is a fine option. It's larger and takes more space if you're flying. If you travel or fly daily, or move from client to client during the day and want the smallest lightest option, this would be my recommended option. It would be perfect for sales forces, insurance company members, consultants, and others who go from place to place quickly, want minimal bulk, and the ability to scan a few documents quickly & easily. If you need to scan small stacks of paper, go with the S1300.As I continue to have the scanner longer I will plan to update the review. But at this point, the install was easy, the scan quality is good and use is easy, and the device is unbelievably small yet feels "not flimsy" and I couldn't be any more pleased with it's functionality and portability. If you have any specific questions or would like a certain additional feature tested, please leave a comment below and I will answer you ASAP.Update: I have added a photo of it in my hand for size comparison. It's unbelievably trim!Update: I've completed my first business trip with 13 pages of various sized receipts, full page receipts, baggage fee wide receipts, etc. I was able to scan them all in about 2 minutes. As well, a couple features I didn't mention explicitly above: The scanner auto aligns the images-- you don't have to worry about feeding them through exactly straight. Finally, the software "sits and waits" between receipts you feed through, until you click "finished". This is a FAR superior software feature to the larger S1300-- because it takes a few moments to put down & pick up another receipt. The scanner sits patiently and waits for you to feed through as many receipts or pieces of paper as you want, with no urgency.The scanning went perfectly and I'll post a few examples of the scans with no personal info on them as an example of scan quality. Since I've had the scanner I carry it with me in my backpack every day to & from work and everywhere I travel with my work backpack. Still going strong with no issues.Update: I recently needed to scan some very plastic like paper and it didn't want to curl upwards to come out of the scanner. I then learned that the back "door" on the scanner can very easily be removed so the paper feeds straight through without bending it. Another question, and another problem solved easily.Update: I discovered that the rear door can easily be removed so you can scan hard cards like plastic credit cards, membership cards, etc. right through the unit without bending them at all! Also great for older style hard photos as long as they're not too thick.

Amazon delivered my new scanner within two days and I had the chance to get familiarized with its main features during the last two days. Hence, this review reflects rather temporary impressions. It is intended to give some hints to would-be-buyers, who are Mac users and focused on document filing issues. The Windows/PC community is much better served by the majority of the reviews one can read here.My profile:- Mac user, resorting to Windows in rare events when there is no suitable option available fpr Mac. (e.g. password protection of pdf files offered by ScanSnap for Windows users only) My MacBook is partitioned for Windows 7 as well.- Document hoarder, i.e. little or no experience with scanning pictures, art works, 3D objects and the like.- Aiming at "paperless" filing, I do organize and file all correspondence and documents systematically.- Extensive experience with document scanners, whether stand-alone flatbeds, sheet-feed, wands or all-in-one devices. No experience with pen-style scanners though.- Owned or still owning, various HP, Xerox, Canon, brother, Neat and Vupoint scanners.- The ScanSnap is my first Fujitsu scanner.Purpose of purchasing the ScanSnap S1100:- the ultimate search result for a Mac-compatible scanner software, which none of the other scanners I own or owned offer,- high quality scans at max. 300 dpi.- durability,- portability (size and weight) and small foot print on the desk,- no AC power required,- versatility of software and extensive filing options,- worldwide network of customer service.Awareness of limitations before purchasing:- no duplex scanning possible by the nature of the device- sheet feeding restricts scanning of laminated or thick media.- portability implies that sheets must be often guided by hand when feeding, as none of the portable scanners offer a retractable side guide. (Vupoint is selling a letter-size piece of hard plastic guide for those, who may compromise "portability" or for home users though)All above said here are my first findings, considering that no objections shall be made against limitations, which I was aware of prior to the purchase:- Mac-compatibility is true; file sizes are the same whether scanned under W7 or OS X, both scans 300 dpi performed on the same MacBook.- Mac-compatibility further confirmed by scanning the same documents on my HP all-in-one under W7; file sizes produced are the double in both, black & white and color, both 300 dpi. HP produces even four-times larges file sizes when scanning under OS X. Reason: Software incompatible with Mac. Therefore, ScanSnap fulfills almost my first main criteria. Why only "almost"? read below.- Windows users enjoy password protection of pdf files, which is not available to Mac users. A two-class community, Fujitsu is creating. The impact is that I have to scan on the Windows' side of my MacBook using Parallels Desktop, which is slowing down both sides of the laptop and switch back to the Mac side after scanning. Worse, I have to do the same several times during the day. Therefore, ½ star off in my rating.- The visual quality of both, b&w and color scans made on ScanSnap is a lot better than the ones scanned on my HP all-in-one, by having just half of the file sizes, all of them at 300 dpi. Another plus for ScanSnap. HP scans can reach the same contrast and crispiness at 600 dpi, but then the file-size is more than doubled.- Expected durability however remains a question mark. As other reviewer pointed out, the flap of the sheet slot is rather flimsy. Moreover, the center of the top easily bends under a point load. (e.g. pressing by finger or by another object in one's travel bag) Hence, the purchase of the custom-made case is an absolute must, as stated by other reviewers too. I ordered it with the scanner together for a hefty 30 bucks incl. sales tax. As it is a must, just like the wheels of a car, which are not sold separately, Fujitsu should have bundled it at a fair price as well. Hence I knock out another ½ star from my rating.- Portability: both, sizes and weight are not only reasonable but compare well with the "bricks" of Xerox or Epson WF.- Power supply by USB is fine, which I prefer versus battery-operated portables.- The software seems to offer more options than I probably will ever need. E.g. 10 customized profiles can be added to the wide selection of standard profiles. I still have to learn many of the other features.- One of the reasons of my purchase was my former experience with Fujitsu's world wide services, by vividly remembering that the cooling fan of my old Fujitsu Lifebook P7190 was replaced in their shop at a remote location in Southeast Asia overnight.SUMMARY:Pros:- Versatile and dedicated Mac-compatible software- Small file sizes of both, black & white and color scans on Windows and Mac alike.- Password protection of PDF files- No AC power required- World wide customer servicesCons:- No password protection of PDF files under Mac OS X.- Fragile looking body with flimsy flap requires a protection case, which is not included.- Pricey, particularly due to the expensive and absolute necessary protection case.Overall rating: Four starsYour comments and critics are welcome.