Advantages: Affordable, solid, good quality and you can rest cups of tea on top! Disadvantages: Sometimes slow to scan and other scanners do have better quality
quite well. It is very lightweight too, weighing approximately 7 pounds so is easy to lift and move around. 7/10
2. Ease of Installation and Use
Installing the scanner was very simple - a few disks, clicks and waiting for bars to fill up and all of the software were on the computer. It is simply connected to the PC via a USB cable and then you can start using it instantly. Again, using the scanner is very straightforward. The MicrotekScan wizard programme is very user friendly and straightforward and I have never had any problems getting it to do what I have wanted. 9/10
3. Speed, Colour Sensitivity and Resolution
The scanner is normally very fast, but can be exceptionally slow when trying to scan at higher qualities or when editing and changing images. Nevertheless, a few minutes patience and it is done. Unless you can't wait ...
Advantages: Durable, Programmable, Easy to Set Disadvantages: Too Slow for Offices, Quality Pictures Require Changing Settings
The Microtec ScanMaker 4850 flatbed scanner might seem obsolete due to its quality, being half of what more modern scanners can offer, and the fact it is not a part of a multi-functional copier, but you should not be assumptuous about this device.
Instead of reviewing the mechanics and energy consumption of the scanner, this summary will provide you practical information about the technology in question.
The scanner came with an USB wire and power cord, instruction manual (it was unnecessary, as all you have to do is plug it in and install the software), installation CDs (multi-lingual, one for Max, one for Windows) with plenty of software including Microtek's scanner applications and an OCR application, which is gold, as it turns your scanned material available for editing in Word.
Value for Money
I've gotten this ...
Advantages: Spec for price Disadvantages: Its apparent design fault
Please note: I'm a Mac user so the software issues here are Mac-specific and I'm unable to comment on how the 5900 runs with a PC; however, the hardware issue is machine-non-specific!
I bought my first Scanmaker 5900 from GHQ Computers, a reputable store in Britain which specialises in Apple software and hardware. I'd tried several computer superstores locally to no avail. It cost £125 + VAT from GHQ (online) in May 2004.
My choice was governed by budget and special requirements, i.e. I needed 4"x5" transparency scanning. Many scanners provide 35mm film adaptation, but most of those that offer large format fall into the very expensive, 'arts professional' bracket. Up until that point, I'd had a Scanmaker X6 with Light Lid and been reasonably happy with it, though its output quality had certainly declined over the 4 year period. My ...
Product Information for "Microtek ArtixScan 4000T" »
Scanner
Input Type
Colour
Grayscale Depth
12-bit grey
Colour Depth
36-bit colour
Optical Resolution
4000 dpi x 4000 dpi
Interpolated Resolution
8000 dpi x 8000 dpi
Scan Mode
Single-pass
Scan Element Type
CCD
Bulb / Light Source Type
Xe-gas cold cathode fluorescent lamp
Scan Density Range
3.4D
Scan Speed
20 sec / page (colour), 40 sec / page (colour)
Data Transfer Rate
2 MBps
Compliant Standards
TWAIN
Manufacturer's product description
The ArtixScan 4000t defines a new standard in transparency imaging quality with its optical resolution of up to 4000 dpi. Capturing over twice as many pixels as its competitors, the ArtixScan 4000t allows users to enlarge a 35 mm scan to a full A3 size with no degradation to output quality. At 3.4 Dmax, the ArtixScan 4000t easily captures the level of detail and sharpness required by the most discriminating imaging professionals. Microtek's unique Auto Focus/Auto Advance carriage system adjusts the slide cartridge and APS film holder rather than lens position to automatically achieve the most accurate focus. The fixed lens also minimizes lens damage and positioning problems.
