Bumping the resolution down to 300 yielded a more manageable 7 MB file, although the sweet spot, size wise, seemed to be 400 dpi. Of course the latter yields larger files than the former, with an A4 size page scanned as a JPEG weighing in at 1 MB for a 200 resolution scan and 22 MB at 600 dpi.

Output wise you get a decent selection, of formats, including jpeg, multi tiff, and pdf, and you can specify the compression level from high, medium and low. It’s a nifty feature actually, and saves some time in post processing. Finally, the software enables you to select the orientation of your scan, rotating the source document 90, 180 or 270 degrees before you even insert a page into the scanner. With it, you can also select whether you want to scan in colour, grayscale or black and white, as well as choose to enhance or diminish red, green and blue colour values of an image. The included software to perform the scanning is similarly easy to use, offering some standard image adjustment prior to scanning, adjusting brightness, contrast, removing punch holes and descreening.

Rather, the scanner draws its juice from a single USB connection. Speaking of power, the advantage that portable scanners have over their desk bound counterparts is that they don’t require another power brick. However, you do need to install the necessary drivers and software before you plug it in – it cannot be powered on without these being present. It can scan up to A4 size pages, and resolution wise, can do so at up to 600 dpi. To start with, the portable scanner is certainly capable. It’s easy to slip into a notebook bag or backpack. Epson’s DS-30 scanner is a case in point, measuring just 27 cm long and weighing a scant 325 g. And portable scanners, are all the more appealing for the fact that they are designed to be easily transportable, powered by the USB port on one’s PC rather than an external adapter. Scanners, much like printers, are the unsung heroes of the digital world.

Install epson scanner ds 30 driver