i need a scanner

[AVERY]

hi everyone
my acer 30 bit scanner is terminal and iguess that means i need to get a new
one, what i will use it for is a few photos and a lot of documents and i would like to keep the cost down, any and all help will be greatly appreciated
thanks all

[highrisemech]

I suggest getting a Cannon flatbed scanner with paralell port connection.
I find the quality, service and support to be exeptionally good. Some of the newer models come with both paralell and usb connections. This gives you the flexibility of using either port.

[Jenni]

Anyone that scans a lot of stuff should have this scanner:

http://shop2.outpost.com/product/2801194/

Umax Astra 6400 Firewire scanner, only $60 from Outpost. It's fast, and it comes with the Firewire card. Only drawback is that it is pretty big.

[highrisemech]

Jen,
I know your going to beat me up for this one. Myself I don't like the Umax. I bought one before buying the Cannon. I had to take it back. I just could not get it to work with my machine. The Cannon set right up. Not to mention its more space saving sleek design. Though i'mnot knocking the Umax it is probably a good product. I went through this scanner issue a few years ago. I'msure the newer ones on the market now are probably much better. As you can see I still favor the paralell port.

[AVERY]

whats the main difference between firewire,parallel,usb
im confused there

[Jenni]

Speed is the main difference. Parallel is slowest of all, USB is faster than parallel, and firewire is fastest of all. Specs on the Umax, given by Umax, are 24 seconds for 8.5" x 11", color, 300DPI. And it really is that fast.

I don't know what OS you are using, but if it is Windows 2000, be sure you check compatibility issues with parallel port scanners, if you decide to go that route.

The Umax Firewire scanner comes with a PCI Firewire card, which means that you have to have an open PCI slot to use it. Setup was a breeze under Windows 2000, haven't tried it under anything else. I'm thinking of getting one myself, my brother has one, that's where I've messed with it. My HP ScanJet 5100c refuses to work with W2k, so I have it hooked to my son's ME box, which is ok, because I don't scan stuff all that much anyway, which is why I haven't gotten around to getting one. But then again, if I didn't have to go kick him off of his computer in the other room to scan things, I might use it more...

[AVERY]

jenni
i am using xp 80 gig hd 512 mb ram ,athlon 1200

[Jenni]

Well, I think XP is pretty much like 2k. But I'm not sure. I know some things that are compatible with 2k are not compatible with XP. I don't know why though.