Unlike anyone who has ever bought a PC from Dell or Time I don't have a scanner but actually think I quite want one.

I want to be able to file paper timesheets on the PC and to take electronic copies of expense receipts. Being able to send a fax from my PC would be useful as well.

I thought I wanted a flatbed scanner but I see that now there are combination printer/scanner/photocopiers (I suppose scanner + printer = photocopier anyway) for around

may as well get a combination machine as they all have flatbeds anyway, if youre not printing much look for one with a good scanner, there are different types, problem is I cant remember which is best CCD or CIS.

Dont know about software but if you file by date do year-month-day ie 07-01-06 for 6th januray, doing this means windows arranges them in date order for you.

I would steer clear of the real low-priced scanners/fax/copiers as they really are cheap and usually only take 1 page at a time (and will have problems with none-a4 sheets)

For what you want, a flat bed would definatley be better..

the better flatbeds from HP etc can have adapters to add sheet feeders if you were scanning lots of A4 stuff.

we have a canon LIDE 20 here and its great... v v small and quite handy

I have a Canon LIDE N670U

Amazon.com: Canon CanoScan N670U Flatbed Scanner: Electronics

That I'd like to see go to a good home if you are interested, think I've got the box somewhere. It's too good to put in the bin.

As it happens I was looking at those Canon LIDE ones because it wouldn't have to be permanently set-up on my desk, and because I have about 200 plugs/DC adaptors already plugged in under my desk and was pleased when I saw they run from USB power

VRStu - nice one, I'll drop you a PM

I am obliged to say that the Canon LIDE's are what you want. Probably something like the LIDE 60, with scan to PDF its spot on. Any higher in the LIDE range and you are paying for functionality you probably wont use, like scanning thicker documents etc. For scanning multiple documents the cheapest that Canon do with a document feeder is the little DR-1210c, which I belive retails at around £250. Where as a LIDE60 is only around £40. But you have to lift the lid. Hope that helps.

Edited to say, if you have the space this may be for you - eBay.co.uk: * Canon NP6050 A3/A4 Black & White Office Photocopier * (item 150077992011 end time 15-Jan-07 12:19:20 GMT)

For scanning multiple documents the cheapest that Canon do with a document feeder is the little DR-1210c, which I belive retails at around

You can get a canon multifunctional printer with auto feeder for less than that.

Cool. What scanner is that?

Another LIDE 60 user here. It's a from me.

Steve