When choosing a pen scanner there are a variety of factors to consider in order to choose the right one. The most important thing to remember while going through these factors is that what is perfect the first person will be terrible for the second. While all of the factors are important, your needs will define what these factors actually mean to you. Here is a quick look at 4 things to consider when choosing a pen scanner.
1. Cost
It doesn't matter how great of a deal you are getting if you can't afford it in the first place. For some people, cost isn't going to be an issue, however this isn't the case for most. Before you start choosing a portable scanner it is essential that you get your price range set. There is nothing worse than finding the perfect pen scanner, only to realize that it is outside of your budget. Either you will buy it even though you can't afford it, or you will start looking at pen scanners that you can afford and notice every way that they don't stack up to the one that is outside your price range.
2. Time
Today, most scanners will be able to read an entire page in under a minute, however this isn't true for all of them. If you are rarely going to use a pen scanner, then its speed is not going to be as important. However, if you are going to be scanning a lot of pages on a regular basis then speed is everything.
3. Storage
Another thing to consider when choosing a pen scanner is how much storage space you will need. In many cases, the storage space is going to be the largest factor in the price of the pen. If you are going to be using your pen scanner in your office or near your computer most of the time then the storage space may not matter as much. While it may be pain to constantly empty the memory onto your computer, it is doable. On the other hand, if you are primarily going to be using it in situations where you can't dump your data right away, then a larger amount of storage space should be considered essential.
4. Battery and Compatibility
The final factors to consider are the battery and overall compatibility. Battery life will likely be something to keep in mind, but probably not a major factor. Most pen scanners can last a fairly long time with a single battery, however this information could make a difference in the long run. Compatibility is also something that may or may not be an issue. In terms of compatibility, there are two things to keep in mind. The first is whether or not you need special software (which should be included) to download the information to your computer. A growing number of portable scanners now need little more than a USB port and can even upload data to cell phones. These pen scanners may not need any additional software.
When choosing a pen scanner, there are a variety of factors to consider. The key is not only knowing what these factors are, but also knowing how they affect your specific needs. Everyone needs something a little different, but these 4 factors should lay the foundation for your final decision.
1. Cost
It doesn't matter how great of a deal you are getting if you can't afford it in the first place. For some people, cost isn't going to be an issue, however this isn't the case for most. Before you start choosing a portable scanner it is essential that you get your price range set. There is nothing worse than finding the perfect pen scanner, only to realize that it is outside of your budget. Either you will buy it even though you can't afford it, or you will start looking at pen scanners that you can afford and notice every way that they don't stack up to the one that is outside your price range.
2. Time
Today, most scanners will be able to read an entire page in under a minute, however this isn't true for all of them. If you are rarely going to use a pen scanner, then its speed is not going to be as important. However, if you are going to be scanning a lot of pages on a regular basis then speed is everything.
3. Storage
Another thing to consider when choosing a pen scanner is how much storage space you will need. In many cases, the storage space is going to be the largest factor in the price of the pen. If you are going to be using your pen scanner in your office or near your computer most of the time then the storage space may not matter as much. While it may be pain to constantly empty the memory onto your computer, it is doable. On the other hand, if you are primarily going to be using it in situations where you can't dump your data right away, then a larger amount of storage space should be considered essential.
4. Battery and Compatibility
The final factors to consider are the battery and overall compatibility. Battery life will likely be something to keep in mind, but probably not a major factor. Most pen scanners can last a fairly long time with a single battery, however this information could make a difference in the long run. Compatibility is also something that may or may not be an issue. In terms of compatibility, there are two things to keep in mind. The first is whether or not you need special software (which should be included) to download the information to your computer. A growing number of portable scanners now need little more than a USB port and can even upload data to cell phones. These pen scanners may not need any additional software.
When choosing a pen scanner, there are a variety of factors to consider. The key is not only knowing what these factors are, but also knowing how they affect your specific needs. Everyone needs something a little different, but these 4 factors should lay the foundation for your final decision.
