Scanners

Now that electronics are replacing most traditional mechanical devices, many of us will need to convert our files into digital files. A scanner will create digital copies of your hard copies, saving you money--just as Overstock.com will save you money. Scanners are like copiers, except they output a data file instead of a piece of paper. Scanners come in a variety of models, suited to a variety of needs and users.

The most common type of scanners is flatbed scanners, which look and work like copiers: place the page on the glass, press the button and don’t look directly at the bright light. Document scanners look like a printer; the pages roll past the scanner head, so you can scan many pages easily. A document scanner may be designed specifically to read text documents. Film scanners are specialized units designed for non-paper items such as slides or transparencies. Many handheld scanners look like large pens; some are large enough to scan a full page of text (8 inches wide) on one sweep.

A portable digital scanner, small enough to take almost anywhere, works well with laptops. This can be a slim desktop scanner or even a handheld scanner. These scanners are often powered via their USB connection and can be as light as one pound. They are as handy as they are affordable (especially at Overstock.com) .

A computer scanner's features vary, mostly with price, but if it meets your needs, it is enough scanner for you. If you need a major color scanner, a big color flatbed scanner is the way to go. If you spend a lot of time out of the office, you'll definitely need a portable scanner. If you think you'll be scanning enough non-paper images to get your money's worth, pick up a film scanner. If you're a Club O member, you could buy one of each and save even more on shipping.