What is the difference between copier and scanner

Bottom line: A copier typically doesn't need to be attached to any hardware, whereas a scanner usually requires some type of connectivity. Should you opt for a copier over a scanner, look at the following aspects before committing to purchasing a copier:. Bottom line: When choosing a copier, be sure it offers the speed, resolution and memory storage your company requires. You also want to factor in the type of ink it will require.

If a scanner is more appropriate for your needs , keep the following features in mind as you shop:. Tip: While color depth isn't a concern if you're scanning documents, it is a key feature for photography. Scanning photographs with a device that has a color depth below 48 dpi can result in low-quality images.

Copiers vs. Scanners: What's the Difference? Max Freedman. Copiers and scanners serve different functions for your business and may have substantially different costs. Find out which one — a copier or scanner — is best for your needs.

What is the difference between a scanner and a copier? Copier vs. What to look for in a copier Should you opt for a copier over a scanner, look at the following aspects before committing to purchasing a copier: Speed. Copiers are generally the fastest printing devices available, but not every copier will have the appropriate speed to match your company's needs. Any trustworthy business copier should regularly reach copy speeds of at least 50 pages per minute ppm.

Scanners and feeders. A copier can't upload printed files to your computer, but it should include scanners for initially processing whatever documents you need to replicate. Newer copiers may include document feeders to compensate for scanners' inability to work with double-sided pages and scan more than one sheet of paper at a time. If you're using a copier for photography, your copier's resolution should be at least dots per inch dpi. Copiers with 1, or 2, dpi are also available, though some experts argue that a higher resolution can lead to grainy copies.

For non-photography purposes, you can probably get away with dpi, but dpi still never hurts. Paper capacity and size.

Here's all the information you'll need to make an informed decision. It's important to realize that a networked copier that performs several functions is different than a standalone copier. A standalone copier is a machine that you must walk up to in order to use; you can't send a document to be printed from a computer, in other words.

Standalone copiers are a good option for organizations that make a large volume of copies every day, and are often used in law firms or accounting firms. A standalone copier's function is quite self-explanatory: it copies documents. Copiers that are networked and perform several functions often print, scan, copy, and fax. A multifunction printer, on the other hand, is designed with multitasking in mind.

There is no definitive "best" option for everyone. Thankfully, small-business owners can choose the features that are best for their applications by taking a good look at the differences between scanners and copiers. The beginning steps of scanning and copying are identical: you place a document or image in the machine, push a button, and the machine acquires a digital copy of the image.

The results, however, are quite different. If the machine is a copier, it simply prints the digital image onto one or more blank sheets of paper. If the machine is a scanner, it stores a digital copy of the image on a memory card or USB device, or it transmits the image to a computer.

The three most popular types of machines for copying are a dedicated copier, an all-in-one also called multifunctional printer, and a fax machine that is able to copy images. Scanning, on the other hand, usually requires a computer or a memory device in addition to the scanner. Your email address will not be published. Advantages and Disadvantages There are advantages and disadvantages that can greatly affect your bottom line, so understanding the difference might just save you money when you go shopping for that new device for your office.

Kristen Lance.