Fujitsu ScanSnap S500

Very high image quality, Includes document management application

OCR software is basic

Document and business-card scanner. Rated at 18 pages per minute, or 36 images per minute for scanning both sides

No standard drivers, so you can't scan from within most programs

Like earlier ScanSnaps, the Fujitsu ScanSnap S500 is a top-quality personal document and business-card scanner.

If you're thinking of buying Adobe Acrobat and a scanner to convert office documents into electronic formats, don't. Buy ScanSnap instead. Given the value of the bundled software the scanner is virtually free, and it's an absolute joy to use.

Before I begin, I'll start with the fact that I'm a bigger geek than you ever will be.

The first page in a stack will occasionally double feed, solved by holding the rest of the pages till the first one feeds in a bit.

I work for an auto dealership as a warranty claims administrator.

If you plan to use Vista, be aware Acrobat 7 will not run on Vista and you will have to upgrade to version 8.

Small and nice looking, not too slow for the price.

has to be watched CONSTANTLY for jams and machine gun noises.

Very capable scanner.

Document feeder does not do 50 pages at a time (as advertised) with jamming.

Nice when it works.

But it doesn't work a lot of the time.

Don't let the lightweight plastic case and small footprint fool you -- I've used this daily for almost 5 months, scanned 100,000 pages, and it's flawlessly efficient.

Not really a con unless you're not in the mood for it: Make sure you keep the rollers and feeder clean with a *frequent* light wiping with F1 cleaner or isopropal alcohol.