Microtek ScanMaker 4850

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 ...
...(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 scanner quite a while ago (in 2005), and then its specifications ... more

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 scanner quite a while ago (in 2005), and then its specifications were outstanding for the price. I was recommended less precise HP models, just because they were said to be more reliable, but cost the same. I must admit, the clerks were right about the quality... This scanner can provide you an image that takes 250MB of space at its maximum resolution. It should consequently mean, current 9600x scanners can give you a 500MB image, that you could use only to make a street banner bigger than the street. That's how large images at maximum resolutions are (in both physical and virtual size). Consequently, even now this scanner can suit the needs of a person or company with images that can be as detailed or compact as you want.

Four years later, this puppy is still at it without a single failure. I have a more powerful scanner than I would ever need, but as they say, boxes can lie. It's only logical to buy something a bit above your needs, just in case they increase or the company likes to add a few fake points.

ASAP Functions

Supposedly, your scanner should be fast and you would never even check out the software you installed. It means everything has to be accessible at one click.

This scanner can send a document to print, email the image, put it into a text editor (like Word) to make changes, or upload it immediately to the website of your choice. That should be enough for an average user - it functions well. One very useful function is that the scanner automatically notices where the scanned material ends, and excludes the rest.

What could be insufficient is the fact the scanner is not a human being and does not know how bright or contrasted you want your pictures to come out. When it comes to pictures in colour, by default they will appear lighter, and the background may become light-blue. It is a heavy drawback if you're in a hurry and don't feel like tinkering with any software (if you're unafraid of changing default options, look at the next rubric).

Another issue tied to the programs is that if you did not want the scanner's operations software to start up along with your operating system. You will be slowed down by the OS asking you silly questions if the "Scanner Finder" is not in the taskbar. Though, this would only count for users that like their taskbar to have the least icons at all times.

Image Quality

This is probably the most important thing in a scanner. This scanner shouldn't disappoint you in that respect, but you will have to make some adjustments before the scanned images reflect the real paper. The following paragraph should concern picky office workers and professionals.

The included software allows you to print texts in black and white or two grayscale modes without problems on default settings. However, you can always increase the quality of pictures in colour (48bit) by adjusting contrast or gamma (most probably, you would also have to reduce the amount of blue), because the machine will not provide you with pictures that are good enough. This applies if you have a quality colour laser printer that can make the difference visible. Ink printer owners would see virtually no difference between default and "optimised" settings.

Speed

This is actually appalling. Because the scanner does not have an automatic feed (one that flips pages for you), it means you have to constantly tend to its needs for more pages, with a 7-second idle period for the first page and 3 second breaks between every page. This might not look like much, but when you have a hundred pages to do, it equals a few good minutes of waiting for it to move. This would be an issue for a corporate environment. At home, it might not make a difference.

Scanner Care

If you do not expect to sell it in a month, you should bear in mind you'll have to clean that thing. The gradient surface makes it prone to gather dust on top (it remains clean on the scanning surface, though). Minor scratches are highly visible. Anything that has glue on it should not be even close to the scanner. Sticky notes leave marks. If you picked a scanner with a price-tag glued on top, bear in mind that there will be a dirty spot, as the glue is very hard to clean from that surface.

To contrast, the scanner is very durable and looks great. You can put a hot coffee mug on top while scanning. In fact, you can put a lot of things on top while it's idle without bending anything. The top panel is sturdy and can handle it.

Separate Trivia

Multi-purpose devices that print, scan and copy are more popular these days, but if you only start comparing specifications, you might realise owning a scanner and a printer as separate machines gives you the upper hand in quality and customer service. Plus, if the scanner is a part of a bigger machine, if one component breaks, you lose it all. Having a separate scanner is safer in that respect, and allows you to place your IT goods in different places, as each takes up less space. The downside, of course, is power consumption.

Verdict

This scanner is an excellent device, but definitely not perfect. It will serve you for quite a while, as its resolution is more than enough for a household until 2020, with satisfactory speed and good image quality. When it comes to busy offices and marketing companies, they might find the scanner too slow, and just not modern enough. 

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