By Lowell Conn, Cyberwalker Media Syndicate Hewlett Packard's handheld portable scanner, the CapShare 920, is convenient: will scan, can travel. It is also easy to use and scans with exceptional quality, despite the fact you have to roll the scanner over your documents. The output when transferred to the computer is top notch and it holds over 40 pages of information before filling up and requiring a transfer. As if that's not enough, the unit is infrared compatible, allowing hassle-free wireless transfers to compatible computers and printers. Why, then, is the CapShare 920 a huge disappointment? Given the hugely discounted prices at which one can buy a scanner these days (my brother-in-law just picked up a quality color flatbed for less than $100), HP has priced itself out of the small business market by selling this unit at $499 US. It's a great product. Unfortunately, few readers will ever find out for themselves, because they won't be willing to invest that kind of cash. Unless your business requires you to be in constant motion, dealing with a multitude of contracts you cannot throw into a folder and carry with you, then $499 US is a big investment for a small business, no matter how innovative, how effective or cool the gizmo is. And the CapShare 920 is pretty cool. Open the box, recharge the batteries, toss them in and press the button while holding the unit over a black and white piece of paper. The unit is not color compatible but will digest any pictures you put in front of it. There is one wrinkle, literally. The CapShare 910 is a good scanner when the document being fed underneath is straight, has no curled edges, and no spine of the book to get in the way. Under ideal circumstances, this unit performs magic. Scan a page with a crease, though, and you could be in the unenviable situation of repeat attempts. One look at the unit and most users will wonder how it manages to scan an entire page. It measures no more than 10 inches from side to side and yet, by utilizing a technique identified in the easily-followed manual, you'll be scanning full size pages (tabloid or letter) in no time. One last thing: the CapShare 920 features a screen that allows for CapShare configuration changes. It also allows users to examine the documents they've scanned. This screen feature proves invaluable because you can ensure that what you've scanned looks right before going on to another scan or another task. The software provided, to transfer scans to the desktop or laptop, is handy, efficient and quick. But the price, the price: $499 US. That's a big, bitter pill to swallow. If a portable scanner falls within your needs, however, and you can absorb the cost, HP's Capshare 920 will offer little in the way of indigestion.   
Copyright © Cyberwalker Media Inc. 2002
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