I could use some recommendations for a decent document scanner with an automatic feeder. I have lots of paperwork to scan and want to minimise the work. It ought to be Mac-friendly (e.g. work with Image Capture or have good software) and be capable of producing at least somewhat straight scans and preferably have some functions that make my work a little easier, such as duplex scans and a function to sort out blank/empty pages automatically. It doesn’t need to have a complex suite of programs or network-folder support. I am also content with a scanner that scans just A4 size paper rather than all kinds of formats. In short: I just want something that produces simple document scans on my Mac without too many hassles.
A few weeks ago I acquired a Brother MFC-L2750dw multifunction printer that seemed to have the functionality I needed, but it was unable to provide at least one straight enough scan and the integration with macOS was not acceptable to me. While it worked well with Image Capture or Preview with either AirPrint or Brother’s own drivers, these did not expose the functionality to deskew scans or leave out empty pages. The Brother software (Brother iPrint&Scan) did have the deskew function, but it made no noticeable difference to me (I wonder if it did something at all). It also seems that this app’s Windows counterpart provides a lot more functionality, so it may be a Mac issue specifically. The only other printer I might consider is the (more expensive and bulkier) Canon i-Sensys MF269dw.
At this point I would consider a dedicated document scanner, even though they tend to be more expensive than multifunction printers. What I have found so far:
A few weeks ago I acquired a Brother MFC-L2750dw multifunction printer that seemed to have the functionality I needed, but it was unable to provide at least one straight enough scan and the integration with macOS was not acceptable to me. While it worked well with Image Capture or Preview with either AirPrint or Brother’s own drivers, these did not expose the functionality to deskew scans or leave out empty pages. The Brother software (Brother iPrint&Scan) did have the deskew function, but it made no noticeable difference to me (I wonder if it did something at all). It also seems that this app’s Windows counterpart provides a lot more functionality, so it may be a Mac issue specifically. The only other printer I might consider is the (more expensive and bulkier) Canon i-Sensys MF269dw.
At this point I would consider a dedicated document scanner, even though they tend to be more expensive than multifunction printers. What I have found so far:
- Fujitsu’s scanners supply no drivers for Image Capture or Preview and the software can have issues with later versions of macOS (particularly Catalina). Will the software be good enough?
- Kodak’s/Alaris’s scanners provide no Mac software at all (only some of the older models). I am guessing that these do not work at all, not even with AirPrint?
- Brother’s scanners will likely have the same problems I had with the printer, if the issue was indeed the Brother iPrint&Scan app.
- Some scanners with good reviews that are still being sold were made years ago, making me worried that the technology is outdated.
