The KeyScan KS810 looks like a standard keyboard at a glance: But there’s a sheet-fed scanner lets you insert documents for imaging into a slot in the upper right portion of the device. Documents are fed through the imaging circuitry, located secretly under your right hand, and they come out from the bottom of the device (small documents, like business cards will pop back out the top). That’s quite unique huh.

With slightly larger than a normal keyboard, the KeyScan KS810 scans media up to 8.5 inches wide and 30 inches long at a maximum resolution of 600 dpi (dot per inch). Software, including OCR capabilities, included in the box; once you setup everything installed and running you’ll have all what you need to make scans reasonably easily and with minimal difficulties. While the software lacks polish and could use some user interface help, it largely works as advertised, and can even be set to scan docs to PDF or to email without even having to push a single button. It’s quite handy, especially considering you don’t even need to go away from your keyboard to do the scanning job, and the resulting scans looked very good as they did on a flatbed multifunction printer or scanner.

One of the weakness of KeyScan KS810 is that it requires its own A/C power to operate, which is a headache to us; the company’s executives told that was due to the (two-slot) USB hub in the device. But lets give up on the two USB ports so we will not to have to plug another thing into the wall. Alternately, keep the USB ports, but just require a second USB connection to the computer in order to draw the power needed for all of this stuff.

At a price of $159, We’re not sure how’s the market for this KeyScan KS810 combo keyboard-scanner really is. It’s priced in a gray zone where it’s too expensive to replace a standard keyboard on a whim and also competes with some multifunction printers (at least one model is under $100), the most popular choice for modern users is to stick a scanner that only occasionally gets used. But if you love your current printer, but just want to add a scanner without giving up any desk space, the KeyScan KS810 will help you the best.

Watch KeyScan videos here.