Good all-in-one printer/scanner for scanning books?
February 12, 2022 7:18 PM Subscribe
I'm searching the usual sites, but also asking here because the probability of getting a good answer is so high, and because one criteria is hard to determine online. We are looking for an all-in-one printer where the cover over the scanner glass can lift high enough to scan the occasional book - in other words, the hinges are extendable. I thought maybe some here had experience doing that, and might have recommendations.
My wife, during research for her writing, likes to scan the relevant pages from her references, and usually prints them. Scanning from a book is much easier if the hinges on the cover over the scanning glass are extendable, allowing us to easily put a book face down on the glass. What all-in-one printers have you used with this feature, and if you've experienced one, was it a good device over all?
My wife, during research for her writing, likes to scan the relevant pages from her references, and usually prints them. Scanning from a book is much easier if the hinges on the cover over the scanning glass are extendable, allowing us to easily put a book face down on the glass. What all-in-one printers have you used with this feature, and if you've experienced one, was it a good device over all?
Generally book scanners use an "overhead" approach and all-in-one can't do that.
On the other hand, book-scanners have come down pretty far in price, so the entry-level ones are like $150 nowadays, but you may want the 250 verison.
posted by kschang at 7:41 PM on February 12, 2022
On the other hand, book-scanners have come down pretty far in price, so the entry-level ones are like $150 nowadays, but you may want the 250 verison.
posted by kschang at 7:41 PM on February 12, 2022
Response by poster: kschang - thank you, I wasn't aware of those. That might be a good addition to our office. We still need an all-in-one printer (long story) but these devices would be better for books I think, if the software works as advertised
posted by TimHare at 8:30 PM on February 12, 2022
posted by TimHare at 8:30 PM on February 12, 2022
Depending on your resolution needs you might find your phone is actually up to the job without buying more equipment. For instance, Apple iPhones and iPads will scan pages if you use the notes app (they autocorrect any skew from taking the picture at a funny angle), print from the device if your printer or laptop supports AirPrint, and can export as pdf.
I know this isn't an answer to the question you asked, but none of my friends or family knew about this feature until I mentioned it so I thought I'd put it on the table.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 8:37 PM on February 12, 2022 [6 favorites]
I know this isn't an answer to the question you asked, but none of my friends or family knew about this feature until I mentioned it so I thought I'd put it on the table.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 8:37 PM on February 12, 2022 [6 favorites]
Best answer: As for generic recommendation for an all-in-one... I prefer Brother. I've had HP, Samsung (laser all-in-one), Sharp, Epson, Canon, and so on. They all break. But the Brother... keeps on going. It doesn't complain about generic ink carts either, and it does WiFi printing from mobile with the right app installed. The laser version lasts even longer.
posted by kschang at 9:42 PM on February 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by kschang at 9:42 PM on February 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
My Brother MFC-6890CDW A3-size ran from 2010 to half way thru last year* and I scanned tons of books with it, not fast but it did the job, only problem is it won't scan if there's no ink - which is basically a charge to use.
When a small plastic piece fell out the back and promptly got lost. Oh and they say it's wireless but it was about about 20 steps and usually something failed to work by step 11.
posted by unearthed at 10:28 PM on February 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
When a small plastic piece fell out the back and promptly got lost. Oh and they say it's wireless but it was about about 20 steps and usually something failed to work by step 11.
posted by unearthed at 10:28 PM on February 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
Like your wife, I scan a lot of books for my research, too. If you're willing to consider a stand-alone scanner, I absolutely love my CZUR. It runs a little over $400.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 4:31 AM on February 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 4:31 AM on February 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
You don't have to close the cover for the scanner to work. I actually prefer to leave it open when scanning books so I can hold the book down firmly to prevent shadowing at the spine.
posted by ananci at 4:47 AM on February 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by ananci at 4:47 AM on February 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
As ananci says, you don't need the cover. Get a big piece of white cloth, maybe upholstery-type vinyl, and lay it over the book to scan. If the cloth cover has texture, it'll show; that may not be an issue.
posted by theora55 at 6:22 AM on February 13, 2022
posted by theora55 at 6:22 AM on February 13, 2022
I've had issues with a HP all-in-one (OfficeJet 8600) that absolutely refuses to scan unless the document cover is almost completely closed. Basically useless for copying any book with a spine. Our Brother all-in-one doesn't have this shortcoming.
posted by ReferenceDesk at 1:35 PM on February 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by ReferenceDesk at 1:35 PM on February 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: While I marked the Brother printer as the best answer - because I bought one - I am going to look into those stand-alone book scanners when the budget permits
posted by TimHare at 8:32 PM on March 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by TimHare at 8:32 PM on March 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by dreamphone at 7:41 PM on February 12, 2022