Scanner for my MacBook M4

Anything with AirPrint support. Conversely, if a scanner or multifunction device does not explicitly state AirPrint compatibility, don't buy it. If it requires "drivers" don't buy it.

My personal recommendation is for Brother scanners and multifunction (print / scan / copy) devices, and avoid HP in particular.

Worth reading for related concerns: Which Printer Should I Buy? - Apple Community

John Galt wrote:

... if a scanner or multifunction device does not explicitly state AirPrint compatibility, don't buy it. If it requires "drivers" don't buy it.

I respect your opinion, but that statement is too strong. Plus it's misleading. Airprint is a fine technology but it is not the "be all and end all." There are printers and scanners whose features are not fully usable via Airprint.

Also, Vuescan supports many scanners without requiring either Airprint or vendor drivers.

Chideb2 wrote:

I’m looking for a good doc scanner for my MacBook M4. What are the compatible models that work well?

I have had great success with all the Epson scanners that I have ever used.

For fast document scanning the Epson DS530-II is very nice. It does B&W, color & duplex scanning and can handle 50 pages at a go. I have one and it works like a champ.

As for flatbeds, the Epson V39 or Epson V600 will both do the job but only 1 page/1 side at a time.

Brother scanners and the Ricoh or Fujitsu ScanSnap scanners also have good reputations. And like @John Galt, I suggest staying away from HP.

Gizmodo – HP Printers Are Doing the DRM Thing Again (March 10, 2023)

"HP is receiving backlash after users reported that their non-brand ink cartridges stopped working following recent firmware updates."

ArsTechnica – HP CEO evokes James Bond-style hack via ink cartridges (January 22, 2024)

“'Our long-term objective is to make printing a subscription. This is really what we have been driving,' [HP CEO] Lores said."

While HP wants to "make printing a subscription," I took the opposite approach and just purchased an Epson - EcoTank ET-3950 Printer/Scanner. Consumer Reports estimates that this printer/scanner will use just $4 per year in ink (it uses refillable tanks), compared to $100+ for typical "cartridge" unit (HP or other). The user just pours in $4 per year in ink (at that cost who cares if one has to get it from Epson) and no worries about rogue hacked chips in ink cartridges (which I think is a fabrication by HP to justify making users pay high prices for its cartridges).

Not sure if the OP cares about printing as their query was about scanners, but this printer/scanner scans really nicely and it comes with Epson Scan 2 (which has an OCR component) or the newer Epson ScanSmart, which can also perform OCR. I haven't had this unit long enough to test the OCR thoroughly but it is a pretty nice package. It also was one of the highest rated printer/scanners in the Consumer Reports ratings.

If you want an AirPrint compatible flatbed document scanner, the Canon LiDE 400 is what I chose. Best under 100USD scanner I have purchased. Since I don't do multi-page scanning, I cannot recommend an Automatic Document Feed (ADF) scanner.