ScanSnap iX1400 Scanner: In-Depth Review and User Opinions

The ScanSnap iX1400 from Fujitsu is an intuitive and efficient document scanner that makes it easy to digitize and organize paper documents. As an upgraded model of Fujitsu's popular ScanSnap line aimed at home office and small business users, the iX1400 combines simple one-touch operation with fast performance to streamline document scanning.

Key features of the ScanSnap iX1400 include speeds up to 30 pages per minute, automated image enhancement, and bundled software for converting scans into searchable PDFs. The scanner can handle pages up to 8.5" x 14" in size and reliably scan everything from business cards to receipts with its 50-page automatic document feeder. Connectivity options such as Wi-Fi and integration with cloud services provide flexibility for managing scanned files across devices. Overall, the ScanSnap iX1400 brings excellent value in a reasonably priced package for both Mac and Windows users looking to go paperless.

Design

The ScanSnap iX1400 has a compact and portable design, making it easy to use at home or take on the go. Weighing just 2.2 lbs, it has a small footprint of 11.2 x 3.6 x 3 inches. The scanner can fit into tight spaces like desks and bookcases, with no external power brick needed.

Despite its small size, the ScanSnap offers an 8.5 inch scanning path - enough to scan letter or A4 sized documents. An integrated foldable document chute allows you to quickly scan stacks of papers without having to tediously feed one sheet at a time.

The inclusion of a built-in battery gives the iX1400 mobility for scanning on the go. Battery life is rated for 260 scans per charge. The scanner connects via USB so you can use it with laptops and 2-in-1 devices. Overall, the compact and lightweight design with battery power offers great portability and convenience.

Scanning Speed

The ScanSnap iX1400 has incredibly fast scanning speeds, making it easy to digitize large amounts of paperwork in a short amount of time. It can scan both color and black and white pages at speeds up to 30 pages per minute (ppm) and 60 images per minute (ipm) when scanning duplex.

Duplex scanning allows you to scan both sides of a document simultaneously. This cuts the scanning time in half compared to a scanner that can only scan one side at a time. The iX1400 scans both sides of a page in just 2 seconds. So you can blaze through stacks of double-sided documents with ease.

The iX1400 also has an automatic document feeder that can hold up to 50 sheets of paper. Simply load up the ADF, press scan, and let the scanner quickly digitize everything with barely any effort on your part. Between the fast scan speeds and large input capacity, you'll be able to go from paperwork to searchable digital files in no time.

Connectivity

The ScanSnap iX1400 offers both wired and wireless connectivity options, making it easy to scan documents whether you're at your computer or on the go.

For wired connectivity, the scanner connects directly to your computer via a USB cable. Simply plug one end into the scanner and the other into your laptop or desktop PC. USB 3.0 ensures fast data transfer speeds when scanning over a direct wired connection.

Wireless connectivity is also provided through Wi-Fi. After installing the software on your computer, you can scan wirelessly from a mobile device or laptop without cables getting in the way. The iX1400 is compatible with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks for flexible wireless scanning.

You can also use wireless networking to send scans directly to cloud services. ScanSnap Cloud is integrated into the device, allowing you to upload scans to cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Evernote and more.

With both wired and wireless capabilities, the iX1400 scanner makes it simple to digitize paperwork and integrate scans into your digital workflow, whether at your desk or on the move. The connectivity options provide flexibility for any scanning needs.

File Format Support

The ScanSnap iX1400 supports scanning documents to searchable PDF, PDF, JPEG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, PPTX, and Word/Excel formats. This allows you to directly scan to formats compatible with most document management systems and productivity software.

For input, the iX1400 can scan single or multi-page documents, business cards, receipts, photos, and more. It auto-detects document size and type to optimize settings.

The iX1400 also performs automatic image correction and enhancement. It automatically adjusts orientation, removes shadows, corrects skewed alignment, and enhances text legibility.

Overall, the broad file format compatibility in both input and output makes the iX1400 versatile for digitizing paperwork and integrating scans into your existing workflow.

Image Enhancement

The ScanSnap iX1400 excels at improving scanned image quality through a variety of automatic correction features. It can detect pages that are skewed or warped and correct them digitally to be perfectly straight. This helps ensure text and images line up properly on the page.

The scanner also features advanced image processing to adjust brightness and contrast on the fly. This reveals details in faded text and makes overly dark or washed out images more visible. It's particularly useful for enhancing old photos or documents that may not have originally scanned well.

Additionally, the iX1400 can remove spots, lines, and discoloration that may exist on originals. This helps clean up scans of dusty old books or documents that have become stained over time. The end result is a digitized copy that looks cleaner and easier to read than the physical original.

With all of these automated image correction capabilities, the ScanSnap iX1400 makes it effortless to get high-quality scans without having to manually adjust settings and filters. It saves a significant amount of post-processing time and effort.

Document Organization

The ScanSnap iX1400 comes with bundled software to help you easily organize, search, and access your scanned documents.

The ScanSnap Home software provides document management capabilities to extract text from scans using optical character recognition (OCR), automatically name files based on content, and categorize documents with tags. You can search scans by keyword, tag, or document type to quickly find what you need.

ScanSnap Home also enables you to easily access scanned content across devices by syncing with cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive or your local network. Documents are synced automatically in the background after scanning so you can access them anywhere.

Another handy feature is document indexing. ScanSnap Home can create miniature quick previews of your scans so you can visually browse through pages. You don't have to open every document to find what you're looking for.

Overall, the included software provides robust tools to organize, search, share and access your digitized documents, helping to maximize productivity. The automation and ease of use helps reduce the effort of manual organization.

Ease of Use

The ScanSnap iX1400 is designed to be extremely easy to set up and use on a daily basis. The quick start guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions to get the scanner connected and integrated with your computer system.

The device has just one button on the front which allows you to initiate scans with a single press. There are also three additional buttons on the top for power, simplex/duplex scanning, and to switch between color, grayscale, and black & white modes. Controlling basic functions is very straightforward.

In terms of maintenance, the iX1400 is practically hassle-free. It has an automatic document feeder so you don't have to place pages manually. The scanner also comes with a cleaning cloth and instructions for periodic cleaning to keep everything operating smoothly. Fujitsu even provides tips for cleaning the rollers when needed to prevent misfeeds or jams.

Overall, the iX1400 aims to simplify document scanning so users can focus their energy on more important tasks. The intuitive operation, straightforward software integration, and low maintenance requirements make this one of the easiest desktop scanners to own.

Accessories

The ScanSnap iX1400 comes with some handy accessories included in the box. It includes a USB cable for connecting the scanner to your computer, a carrier sheet for scanning delicate documents, a calibration sheet, AC adapter and power cable.

Some optional accessories you can purchase separately are document carriers for scanning things like passports or business cards, additional carrier sheets, adapters for scanning 35mm film slides or negatives, and wireless Wi-Fi adapters for using the scanner without attaching it directly to your computer.

The great thing is the scanner comes with all the essentials you'll need to get started. The optional accessories allow you to expand the versatility of the scanner for specialized media and connectivity needs. Overall, Fujitsu provides a solid bundle in the box and a nice assortment of add-ons you can purchase down the road depending on your scanning requirements.

Pros and Cons

The ScanSnap iX1400 has numerous positives as well as a few potential downsides to consider.

Pros

• Fast scanning speeds up to 30 pages per minute
• Supports wireless connectivity for scanning untethered
• Scans directly to popular file formats like PDF, JPEG, etc.
• Includes automatic image enhancement features
• Can automatically delete blank pages
• Comes with document organization software
• Extremely easy to use with one-touch scanning
• Compact, portable size takes up little desk space

Cons

• Higher price point compared to basic flatbed scanners
• Lack of an automatic document feeder means scanning multiple pages requires more work
• File compression can sometimes reduce image quality of scans
• Limited plastic construction feels less durable than some competing scanners
• Software lacks advanced features offered by some alternatives