What are decent specs for an entry level scanner

[Spankthru]

DPI
Resolution
48bit?
Scan speed?


Can someone educate me here? My budget is around $100
Is there such thing as a scanner that gets power only from a usb source and no power supply?

 

[Spankthru]

anyone?

 

[PlantATree]

The Canon Canoscan line of scanners get their power from the USB cable. I own one of the higher line models and love it. Its fast, small in size and the scans look great. I know they have models that go for under $100. Highly recommended.

 

[Tallgeese]

<< The Canon Canoscan line of scanners get their power from the USB cable...Highly recommended. >>

Just bought a Canoscan N1240U: small form factor, no power brick, excellent scan quality. Love it!

 

[4824guy]

I would not recommend a scanner that uses the led CIS system of scanning, because you will get lower than expected quality resolution and picture depth. Many other scanner use cold cathode fluorescent lamp vs. the LED light source that CIS scanners use and are vastly better. Please check the specs out on the box before buying. Visioneer makes alot of good quaility scanners that I can recommend, like the 8100 and 8900 models.

But most of all, make sure you get one with a cold cathode fluorescent lamp light source.

 

[PlantATree]

I dont agree with your recommendation against CIS technology. That may have been true in the past but the Cannon scanners are highly rated and have great output. I think for the $100 he is looking to spend he will be getting a great scanner. I would say that if he is looking to use the scanner for color graphics such as photos and is looking for supperior quality then I do agree to go with the cathode technology, but again to see the better quality you are looking on spending more than $100. If he is looking for awesome photo scans and wants to spend the money then I would recommend one of Epson's scanners.

 

[Tallgeese]

<< to see better quality you are looking [at] more than $100...for awesome photo scans...then I would recommend one of Epson's scanners. >>

Agreed...the Perfections have really been head and shoulders above any other consumer level scanner in their price range, which nevertheless is well above the $100 mentioned in the original post.