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Certain features can separate a good scanner from a great one. Although none of these extras is a requirement, each of them is nice to have (and sometimes, that's all that matters).
Number of passes
In scanning terminology, a pass is a single sweep of the scanning head across the material. Therefore, a single-pass scanner takes only one trip across your photograph or document, digitizing the entire image at one time. Although a triple-pass scanner may be cheaper, it has to make three complete passes to capture the same data. These extra passes can result in distortion in the image because even a slight bump can shift the source material between passes (especially if you're trying to scan a three-dimensional object, such as a book cover or a canned ham).
That's not all. Naturally, a triple-pass scanner also requires at least three times the scanning time, which means that you have more time to spend wishing that you had a single-pass scanner!
One-button scanning
Most scanners are controlled entirely from the computer. In other words, you have to run the capture software that comes with your scanner before you can do anything. On the other hand, if your scanner features one-button scanning, you don't have to load any program.
You simply press the button on the scanner, and it automatically turns on, runs the capture software, and starts scanning! As you can imagine, this feature is quite a timesaver. In fact, one-button scanning has become such a popular feature that many higher-priced scanners also throw in one-button copying and faxing features.
Document feeder
Can you imagine a printer without a paper tray? You would end up loading sheets of paper into your printer by hand! Some people feel the same way about scanners. If you're working in an office environment or your work involves heavy-duty scanning of dozens of documents, having a document feeder is a good idea. Your scanner may come with a document feeder already installed, but this feature is typically offered as optional equipment. Check a scanner's specifications on the manufacturer's Web site to see whether it can accept a feeder.
Transparency scanning
You can buy a scanner that's specially designed for slides and negatives — and many high-end flatbed scanners can do a fine job of digitizing transparent material. Just look for a scanner that includes its own light source; these models can backlight a transparent original, allowing the scanning head to correctly interpret the colors. With a transparency light (sometimes also called a transparency adapter), you can scan 35mm slides, photographic negatives, and the transparencies used in overhead projectors.
Solid warranty
Most scanners now on the market have a one-year warranty, although it never hurts to check for extras (that you hope you won't need). For example, does the manufacturer offer free technical support over the phone? Is the company's Web site up to date, with software patches and driver updates posted regularly? Some companies also provide e-mail technical support from their Web sites.
 | While you're visiting any hardware manufacturer's Web site, look for FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions files) that you can download about the product you're considering or a scanner you've bought. These files are usually chock-full of information, tips, and solutions to customer complaints. |
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