Fujitsu ScanSnap S1500 & S1500M Are Now Cross-Platform
March 18, 2009
Update: It now looks like the ScanSnap S1500 and S1500M are now on Amazon!
As you may have seen, Fujitsu posted a press release yesterday saying that the Fujitsu ScanSnap S1500 (for PC) and ScanSnap S1500M (for Mac) are now released.
My main question was – will they be cross-platform like most USB devices? In this ScanSnap 1500M post, commenter rei said that he was told that they in fact would be.
I have just confirmed with Fujitsu that yes, rei is right. You will be able to plug the ScanSnap S1500M into a Windows machine and vice versa (as long as you install the correct software). This is tremendous! No more Windows to Mac (or vice versa) workarounds!
This feature alone makes the S1500 models a big improvement. Here are a few more details that Fujitsu shared with me:
- ScanSnap Manager comes in two flavors, the Windows version (ScanSnap Manager V5.0) and the Mac version (ScanSnap Manager V3.0)
- There is a Windows setup disk that comes with the S1500 and a Mac setup disk that comes with the S1500M, but each comes with both versions on the DVD (!)
- When the Setup Disk is installed, Setup detects PC or Mac and displays the appropriate installer for that platform.
- Aside from ScanSnap Manager, the Setup only contains the specific applications for the model detected.
- No, it doesn’t come with both the Windows and Mac versions of Acrobat. Acrobat comes on a separate CD.
If you go to the Fujitsu US store, you can actually see the S1500M there. However, it doesn’t appear to be on Amazon or other similar sites yet and I am told that if you do order it there, it will be back-ordered. Apparently it should start hitting stores around March 20. I’ll re-post when I see it available.
As mentioned, the biggest headache of previous ScanSnaps (and there weren’t many) was the fact that they were not cross-platform. This addresses that.
Related posts:
- Fujitsu Releases Cross-Platform ScanSnap S1300 .. Yeah!
- Abbyy Finereader and Adobe Acrobat – Why Does Fujitsu Include Both?
- Fujitsu ScanSnap on Windows 7 – Your Experiences?
- ScanSnap Product Manager Demonstrates ScanSnap S1500
- SpiderOak Provides Cross Platform Backup and Sync
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34 Responses to “Fujitsu ScanSnap S1500 & S1500M Are Now Cross-Platform”
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I can see the S1500M being available via distribution and retail, but the S1500 is not. If I am a Windows user and purchase a S1500M, sounds like I will get everything I need except for the Windows version of Acrobat 9, which would be a HUGE bummer…
I know what you mean Randy. I don't know why the S1500 isn't showing
up yet. Personally I'd wait rather than buying the S1500M.. missing
out on Acrobat altogether would be kind of a drag.
Hey guys….this is from the Scansnap web page…"ScanSnap Manager V3.0 is for use on select Mac operating systems; however, ScanSnap Manager V5.0 is also bundled with this product and supports select Windows operating systems. For complete details, see http://ScanSnap.fujitsu.com/. "
The text above can be found: http://www.fujitsu.com/us/services/computing/peri...
Nice find Jay.. thanks!
Do you know if an OCR software engine is shipped with *both* OSX and Win bundles?
With my old S500m there was no OCR bundled.
Hi MJA,
Yes ABBYY Finereader is shipped with both the Mac and Windows flavor of the ScanSnap S1500/M. You should be safe that way!
"There is a Windows setup disk that comes with the S1500 and a Mac setup disk that comes with the S1500M, but each comes with both versions on the DVD (!)"
I don't understand this. What do you mean?
Hi Tullio,
What I mean is that the both the S1500 and S1500M come with both the Windows and Mac version of ScanSnap Manager and associated drivers. Therefore, you can plug the S1500 into a Mac and it will work. Something that was not possible with previous versions of the ScanSnap without some rather hardcore hacking.
So if buy the S1500 for the color what would I miss on the Mac?
I dont have an S1500 and I don't work for fujitsu, but my understanding is you'd be missing Acrobat and all the bundled software other than ScanSnap Manager.
Here in the UK the S1500M is considerably more expensive than the S1500… As I have a Mac with Acrobat Pro 9 installed could I simply buy the S1500 plug it in to my Mac, save a bundle of cash, and not lose any functionality?
Hi Alan,
That's my understanding. You wouldn't have Acrobat (but you have that anyways) and you wouldn't have the biz card scanning software, but as far as the scanner itself and using ScanSnap Manager etc., you should be able to do that on your Mac with the S1500.
Having said all that, I personally do not have a S1500 or S1500M and I am going by what someone at Fujitsu told me. If you want to be 100% sure you'd want to either contact Fujitsu, or make sure that wherever you buy it takes returns.
I've received the S1500M. If you have already Acrobat 9 buying the S1500 could make sense ( if you think of using it also on PC with Rack2-Filer, missing on the Mac DVD).
Some details here
http://www.fujitsu.ca/products/scansnap/s1500m/fe...
I have a question. If I scan several pages I end up with one document. Do I need Acrobat to extract the pages or can I change the settings with ScanSnap Manager to have only individual pages if needed?
Hey Tullio, thanks for the clarification regarding the S1500M.
Yes, you can definitely make it so that ScanSnap Manager kicks out individual pages. What you do is right click ScanSnap Manager and then choose Settings. Then choose your Profile and click on the "File Option" tab. Then you'll see an Option button. Click that, and that's where the option is.
Here's a screenshot: http://img.skitch.com/20090525-e1496axfbneh5yr6ry...
I also outline it in my post where I list out all my ScanSnap settings: http://www.documentsnap.com/my-scansnap-setup-and...
Hope this helps!
That's wonderful! Thanks!
Hello there,
I hope to get an answer here as I'm finding contradictory information in the
Net. I own a PC but I'm considering moving onto a Mac in the long term. We
also have a Kubuntu that I use now and then when need to access some
servers… my question is, which one should I purchase if I'm already
planning a Mac migration??!!! I would like to have a scanner that could work
currently with my environment (windows and kubuntu but I could do only with
windows) but I would like to make sure I keep functionalities when I finally
move on.
Help would be very much appreciated. I almost ordered the S1500M but
stumbled upon this site… Not a big deal having to purchase separate
software when I finally move over to Mac.
Thanks in advance,
I think if it were me, if I knew I'd be going to a Mac long term, I'd get the 1500M. It will work in the short term on your PC because the Windows drivers are included, but long term you'll have all the "right" software and extras.
As for Ubuntu, in this post , there is some discussion of using the ScanSnap in Linux. It sounds like the SANE project includes support for the ScanSnap by default. I checked the SANE homepage (http://www.sane-project.org/sane-backends.html#S-... and it seems like the S1500 and S1500M are supported, but the S1500M is listed as "untested".
So, I think either way will work for you, but if it were me I'd probably pick up the S1500M if I knew the Mac was my long term platform.
Hey BrooksD,
thanks a million for your quick response. Could you please list the windows software I'll be missing if I follow your advice? is this software easy to find?
As for SANE, I had already heard about it. Which model are you owning btw, windows one?
Best regards!!
Hi, my understanding is that if you bought the ScanSnap S1500M instead of S1500, you'd be missing the bundled Windows software. If you want to get the 100% official version you should contact Fujitsu, but as far as I know, that would be:
Adobe® Acrobat® 9 Standard
ABBYY FineReader
CardMinder 4.0
I personally have a S300M (for Mac) and do not have an S1500/S1500M.
Good luck!
Hi!
From what I've found in the specification sheet, the S1500 doesn't come with the Mac version of the "Abbyy FineReader for ScanSnap" software, is this true? So if I'd want to OCR my scans, I'd have to buy the S1500M?
I only read about the ScanSnap Manager being shipped in Win & Mac versions on both models, but nothing about the Abbyy software.
Has anyone got a S1500 and uses it with a Mac?
Thanks,
Oliver
I am pretty sure you are right- the only crossplatform software it comes with is Scansnap Manager. To do OCR you'd need tonprovide your own software or, of course, get a 1500M.
Thanks BrooksD, then I will get the 1500M.
Snow Leopard?
@Tullio Just did a post on that very topic. http://www.documentsnap.com/fujitsu-scansnap-on-o...
Hi,
Actually I have the Scansnap S1500M for my Mac at home and have been trying to decide between the S1500 and S1500M for the office. I loaded the software onto a PC laptop and hooked up the S1500M and it can make searchable PDFs using OCR. It looks like the Finereader OCR software is boiled into the Scansnap software…
So as far as I can see the big difference between S1500M and S1500 is whether you get the Windows or the Mac version of Acrobat. (Plus colour of the scanner and the other minor bits of software bundled in.) But for basic, inline, searchable PDF creation, either one will work fine on a Mac or a PC.
Should just emphasise, this was tested using S1500M software DVD. I'd imagine the S1500 is mirrored (i.e. its Mac software also has Finereader 'boiled in') but I have not confirmed that.
Hi Mike, thanks a lot for testing that out and posting your observations. We appreciate it.
Anyone know if the S1500M can scan something thick like a plastic drivers license? Or an alternative document scanner (not flatbed) for a Mac that does? Thanks.
Did some more research and answered my own question. The S1500M does not scan ID cards, however, FYI, the comparable Epson GT-S50 does (and is both Mac & PC compatible).
Does anyone know where I can find the software for the S1500M? I bought the S1500 because I read here that it is cross platform, although I mainly want to use it with a Mac, but I preferred it in black. I have been using an S500m Scansnap but the software apparently doesn't work with the S1500. It does recognize that the scanner is connected. I've checked Fujitsu's S1500m page and there is a section for support and downloads, but there is nothing to download. I am looking here: http://www.fujitsu.com/global/support/computing/p... Thanks.
If you want the Mac version of Abbyy Finereader for AcanSnap you can download it from the fujitsu siemens website: http://www.fujitsu.com/downloads/COMP/fcpa/scanne...
If you want the Mac version of Abbyy Finereader for AcanSnap you can download it from the fujitsu siemens website: http://www.fujitsu.com/downloads/COMP/fcpa/scanne...
I also received a link from fujitsu-siemens that states that the following software comes with the S1500:
ScanSnap Organiser
ScanSnap Manager ( Both Windows & MAC versions)
Adobe Acrobat 9.0 Standard
Scan2Word, Scan2Excel, Scan2PowerPoint
CardMinder
Abbyy FineReader for ScanSnap Mac Edition
Rack2Filer- – Trial version
Source: http://193.128.183.41/home/v3__product.asp?pid=67...
The Windows 7 fix provided by Fujitsu does not work properly. It only allows the scanner to work if the scanner is already connected before the computer is booted. Connecting the scanner to a booted computer results in a report that the device is connected and working — but it does not work. De-installing, using Fujitsu clean-up tool and reinstalling does not correct that issue. Calling Fujitsu level 2 and 3 resulted in nothing. I use it with the main stream HP laptop that came with factory Windows 7. Great disappointment. What a wonderful scanner killed by poorly executed software and lack of ability to use any other software with it. Unfortunately Fujitsu designed their software to be the driver at the same time.
I have the 1500 M with a 27″ quad core i5. We also have a 1500 for our Windows machine. This is hands down the best scanner I have ever used, including our large integrated 60k copiers/scanners on our network!!