Flatbed Scanners

To avoid support headaches, carefully scrutinize the purchase of flatbed scanners or digital cameras.

Flatbed scanners and digital cameras, insofar as peripheral devices go, have much in common with external modems.

Same Due Diligence Procedure as Modems

As a result, you can use many of the same due diligence techniques for researching these purchases as you did for modems.

Interface and Operating System Issues

Always consider the interface as well as published operating system compatibility lists.

Unbiased Opinions for Flatbed Scanners and Digital Cameras

In addition, look for any independent reviews from trade magazines or Web sites.

Included Goodies with Flatbed Scanners and Digital Cameras

 

Flatbed Scanners and Digital Cameras Action Items

What interfaces are supported by the scanner and digital camera?

Does the scanner require a parallel port (generally the slowest), a USB port or a SCSI host adapter?

Does the digital camera use a serial port (which can be slow) or a USB port?

Does the digital camera allow you to transfer photographs to your PC's hard drive by using a memory card or stick and a special adapter or cradle?

What kind of compatibility information is listed for both the scanner and digital camera, relative to your version of Microsoft Windows, on the Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility List (www.microsoft.com/hcl)?

Has either the scanner or digital camera had any third-party product reviews by major tech portal Web sites such as CNET (www.cnet.com) or ZDNet (www.zdnet.com)?

What kind of software is bundled with the scanner or digital camera? For example, is there any bundled photo imaging software or optical character recognition (OCR) software included?

Do the scanner or digital camera manufacturers provide information on their Web sites to help with tech support? Are there FAQs, knowledge base articles, updated software and device drivers? Is there information that's relevant to the product you're considering and your OS?

 

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