The Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 and Brother ADS-1700W are two popular document scanners designed for high-volume scanning needs, including business applications. Both models offer advanced features, wireless connectivity, and compatibility with various operating systems. In this comparison, we'll delve into the key similarities and differences between these two products, also exploring their potential use as business card scanners.

Design and Build

The Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 boasts a compact and sleek design, measuring 11.5 x 6.3 x 6.2 inches and weighing approximately 7.9 pounds. It features a sturdy build and a simple, intuitive interface with a 4.3-inch touchscreen LCD display.

In contrast, the Brother ADS-1700W has a slightly larger footprint (12.1 x 8.5 x 7.6 inches) and weighs around 10.2 pounds. Its design is more industrial, with a focus on durability and ease of use. The scanner features a 3.7-inch touchscreen LCD display.

Scanning Performance

Both scanners deliver excellent scanning performance, but there are some differences in their capabilities:

• Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600:
  • Scans up to 40 pages per minute (ppm) in color and black-and-white
  • Supports documents up to 34 inches long
  • Offers automatic document feeder (ADF) capacity of 50 sheets
• Brother ADS-1700W:
  • Scans up to 30 ppm in color and black-and-white
  • Supports documents up to 196 inches long (using the optional long-document scanning feature)
  • Features an ADF capacity of 50 sheets

While both scanners are suitable for high-volume scanning, the Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 has a slight edge in terms of speed. However, the Brother ADS-1700W's ability to scan longer documents makes it more versatile.

Wireless Connectivity and Compatibility

Both scanners offer wireless connectivity options:

• Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600:
  • Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz)
  • Supports scanning to mobile devices via the ScanSnap Cloud app
  • Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems
• Brother ADS-1700W:
  • Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz) and Ethernet connectivity
  • Supports scanning to mobile devices via the Brother iPrint&Scan app
  • Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems

Both scanners provide seamless wireless connectivity, making it easy to scan documents directly to your computer or mobile device.

Business Card Scanners

When used as business card scanners, both models perform well. However, the Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 has a dedicated "business card" scanning mode, which allows for accurate extraction of contact information and automatic saving to popular address book formats like vCard. The Brother ADS-1700W also supports business card scanning, but it may require more manual processing to extract contact information.

Additional Features

Other notable features of each scanner include:

• Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600:
  • Automatic image correction and enhancement
  • Supports scanning to cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive
  • Includes a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port for wired connectivity
• Brother ADS-1700W:
  • Dual-sided scanning (single-pass)
  • Supports scanning to network folders and FTP servers
  • Includes a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port and an Ethernet port

Conclusion

The Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 and Brother ADS-1700W are both high-quality document scanners suitable for business applications, including use as business card scanners. While the Fujitsu model has a slight edge in terms of speed and ease of use, the Brother scanner offers more versatility with its long-document scanning feature.

Ultimately, the choice between these two products depends on your specific needs and preferences:

• If you prioritize speed and ease of use, the Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 might be the better choice.
• If you need to scan longer documents or require more advanced networking features, the Brother ADS-1700W is a better fit.

As business card scanners, both models perform well, but the Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600's dedicated business card mode and automatic contact information extraction make it a more convenient option.