To evaluate OCR capability, we scanned both an IRS 1099 tax form (PDF) and a simple text document with the same sentence repeated in descending font size from 12 points to 4, exporting the results as both searchable PDFs and (where possible) editable text files. It’s certainly a nice feature to have, but one we think most laptop owners can do without. Some include built-in batteries, so they can operate in a truly wireless fashion: no USB cable, no power brick, not even a laptop. Most scanners today can run on either USB or a typical AC adapter, so if you want to travel light, all you need is a USB cable.
Any model around 3 pounds or less is okay in our books. Although machines with ADFs tend to be on the heftier side, we think a feeder is important enough to make the extra pounds worth it.
Portable document scanners actually span a broad range of sizes and especially weights-from under 1 pound to well over 3 pounds.
The hardware interface needs to be easy to navigate, and the desktop and mobile software should be powerful enough to get the job done but not so complex that it gets in your way when you’re working under pressure.