Scanners are now an essential part of our daily lives. We need to save and organize receipts, work on tax documents, share ID cards, and manage office paperwork. Without scanning, most of these tasks would be manually burdensome.
However, not everyone has a desktop scanner at their office or home. Thankfully, mobile applications like Scanium can solve the problem. If you are struggling to choose between the two options, here are the comprehensive pros and cons for each one.
About Mobile PDF Scanner – Scanium and Similar Applications
Mobile scanners like PDF Scanner – Scanium are commonly installed on a smartphone and used via the camera. Often, you simply take a picture with the app to capture the whole document, and then the software transforms it into a digital file. It can be in various formats, including:
- PDF;
- JPEG;
- TXT;
- PPTX, and more.
Let’s unpack its pros to understand how the application works and why it can be more convenient than desktop scanning.
Portability
Mobile scanners can be used anywhere: they’re portable. Just a few clicks, a snap of a camera, and the file is ready. It’s especially great for work on-the-go, where you have to share documents during deliveries or professional inspections.
Accessibility
You don’t have to buy anything to use a phone app. Most applications are free, and others are cheap, so the cost is significantly smaller than buying a whole desktop machine. Freelancers and casual users can digitize their documents without an expensive entry point.
Fast Sharing
Scanners set up on your mobile phones often connect to email, messenger, or cloud platforms. Whether you use Google Drive or Dropbox, all the files you capture can be quickly shared with whoever needs to see them.
Mobile scanners also have common cons. These make a difference when you use desktop machines in an office or a printing shop.
Bad Image Quality
Mobile scanning quality heavily depends on the quality of your phone camera, lighting, and other factors.
If your camera is old, there are a lot of shadows, or the surface is not flat, the finished result may be unreadable.
Inconvenient High-Volume Scanning
Big office workflows require a lot of repeated processing. Desktop scanners are easy to use in that situation, while mobile solutions can make the process rather time-consuming. Each page has to be positioned correctly to be properly captured.
Security Issues
Mobile scans often end up on cloud platforms and third-party applications, where the documents can be stolen or misused. Contracts, ID cards, and medical files are considered sensitive materials and should be handled by encrypted software.
About Desktop Scanners
There are different dedicated models available on the market. You can find:
- flatbed scanners;
- sheet-fed scanners;
- all-in-one printers and scanners.
Each has its pros and cons, but all three use special optics and sensors to produce accurate results. Whatever you place inside the device — a magazine page or your ID card — comes out as a high-resolution digital copy. Let’s find out why many establishments use desktop scanners.
High-Quality Results
All documents processed on your desktop come out clear and accurate. The optics and sensors capture every little detail and produce consistent results. In professional workflows, this type is preferred.
Strong Security
You can often find these machines in the office, where the network is closed and controlled. That means your digitized copies won’t leave the local storage unless you decide that, allowing better control over sensitive documents.
High-Volume Scanning
Sheet-fed systems often encompass ADFs, or automatic document feeders. You don’t have to take a photo of each page — the scanner does it for you and can process dozens of copies a minute.
Despite the amazing pros, desktop machines have their cons. The points we unpack next stop many users from using this solution and motivate them to stick to mobile scanners.
Non-Portable
Although you can transport desktop scanners, they are not portable. As stationary devices, they don’t let users digitize documents on-the-go. Instead, you always have to connect them to power and a computer.
Less Accessible
While a mobile app can cost around $20 a year, a desktop scanner’s price can soar up to $600. They are not financially accessible. So, smaller businesses and individuals won’t be able to use them.
Requires Maintenance
In addition to the initial price, desktop devices for scanning have to be cleaned, maintained, and updated. Users have to know when to replace the parts and which software to check for potential updates, or else the device won’t work.
Choosing Between Mobile and Desktop Scanners
The choice you make depends on your goals. Mobile scanners are portable, perfect for working on-the-go, and can be completely free. Desktop ones, on the other hand, are more suitable for professional settings, always produce high-quality results, and offer strong security for sensitive information.
