The smallest scanner available in the market is called the DocuPen. This pen-sized scanner was developed by Planon. It weighs less than 60 grams; it’s a half-inch thick and is less than 9” long. Because of its size, portability is its greatest strength. Function-wise, it is able to scan colored documents at a resolution of 600 x 600 dots per inch. It is able to hold a hundred pages of memory. Scanning documents only take 4 to 8 seconds per page and once the memory is full, you can plug it in the USB and transfer your images. It may have a lesser resolution compared to desktop scanners but desktop scanners do not offer the same kind of portability that the DocuPen does. You can’t put a desktop scanner in your pocket and take it with you.
The smallest mobile printer available is also made by Planon. It is called the PrintStik. It is only about 1” x 2” x 11” and holds 20 pages of paper inside. It can print up to 3 pages per minute at a maximum resolution of 600 dpi. It has its own battery making it very portable. It uses USB interface but other models have Bluetooth so connectivity is not a problem. Again, it doesn’t offer the same resolution and speed that desktop printers do, but then again, you can’t carry a desktop printer in your clothes.
The sizes of these devices are truly amazing if you consider their functionality. Imagine a printer and a scanner that you can carry in your pockets, an office in the pocket. Planon is definitely at the forefront of providing mobile solutions.
Unfortunately, if you are looking for a small printer scanner, in terms of size, the options available are a lot bigger than the uni-functional devices from Planon. Multi-functional devices with both printing and scanning capability come in footprint sizes similar to a laptop, although about 4 times as thick.
Top printer manufacturers have their own line of multi-functional printers. Some are designed for the office. These are the types that expect heavy usage since extra trays are built in the design. There are also some that are designed for home use and even have communication functionalities. Generally, a home All-in-one printer has printing, scanning, copying and fax capabilities. Wireless connectivity is usually considered a plus.
It may still take some time before the functionality of a small printer scanner is transferred to a package as portable as the DocuPen and PrintStik. However, the fact that technology has achieved making these amazing devices means that it is no longer an impossible feat. It is only a matter of time before it is achieved.
