scanner for Win7 (64bit)

[sathyan]

I have an old Epson 1250photo (1200 dpi) flatbed scanner that I bought in the XP days. It is not compatible with my Windows 7 (64-bit) installation. I have been scanning using the XP VM but scanning is extremely slow in virtualization (it took 40 min to scan one page). I tried VueScan which worked, scanning a page in under 5 min, but rather than spending $40 on VueScan, I'd rather get new hardware.

I've been shooting digital for a decade now so this scanning will be primarily for reflective but also the occasional older slide. My basic requirements are:
-Windows 7 64-bit support
-letter pages flatbed with 35mm slide support with backlight
-4800dpi x 16bit per color channel
-USB2 or USB3
-fast scan (not the 40 min/pg I'm getting now)
-manual TWAIN adjustments
-under $150

I'm looking at Epson v300, v330, 4490 and Canon 5600f. I cannot tell how the v300 and v330 are different. The 4490 has digital ICE but is an older model. Any slides I scan will be old so image correction (dust/scratch removal, color correction) would be useful.

what do you suggest?

thanks,
Sathyan

 

[gsaldivar]

Not point out the obvious here, but instead of using virtualization, one option might be to have a separate XP boot drive that you use just for scanning. A new hard drive can be purchased much cheaper than a new scanner. If your existing scanner is in good working condition and you are already used to the way that it works, why go through all the trouble of replacing it just to get Windows 7 compatibility? Pick up a new hard drive, drop it in your system, install XP/Photoshop and any necessary scanner drivers... problem solved! Good luck.

 

[sathyan]

Not point out the obvious here, but instead of using virtualization, one option might be to have a separate XP boot drive that you use just for scanning. A new hard drive can be purchased much cheaper than a new scanner. If your existing scanner is in good working condition and you are already used to the way that it works, why go through all the trouble of replacing it just to get Windows 7 compatibility? Pick up a new hard drive, drop it in your system, install XP/Photoshop and any necessary scanner drivers... problem solved! Good luck.

The problem is that option would require an XP license (mine was deactivated when I upgraded to Win7) whereas the VM (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx) includes an XP license. I suppose I could try something with Linux and Xsane but would rather go with new hardware.

 

[Fayd]

The problem is that option would require an XP license (mine was deactivated when I upgraded to Win7) whereas the VM (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx) includes an XP license. I suppose I could try something with Linux and Xsane but would rather go with new hardware.

my parents are in a similar boat, but they refuse to let go of their old hardware. so XP stays on 1 computer in the house.