Microtek ScanMaker 8700

WHAT'S HOT: The dual-interface (IEEE 1394 and USB), 1200-by-2400-dpi Microtek ScanMaker 8700 outdoes its corporate-chart competition with attractive image quality, speedy performance, and versatile features, which include both reflective and transparency scanning out of the box. The 8700 produced crisp, realistic 42-bit color images, both on screen and in print.

Performance tests using the 8700's included IEEE 1394 card yielded fast overall scores. When scanning a 5-by-7-inch color print at maximum optical resolution (1200 dpi), the 8700's blazing rate of data throughput (1445 kilobytes per second) was more than twice as fast as its closest Corporate competitor, the Epson Perfection 1640SU (621 KBps).

WHAT'S NOT: Priced at $900, the ScanMaker 8700 costs the most of any scanner on the Top 10 list. Not surprisingly, this robust legal-document-capable, 25.5-pound unit also weighs considerably more than the other scanners on the chart. To effectively harness this scanner's power, you'll need an equally potent PC: For speedy scanning (especially for large, high-resolution jobs) this unit works best with a PC with at least 64MB of RAM. (Microtek recommends 128MB.)

If you need to scan a catalog of high-resolution images, a Ponderosa-size hard drive will also come in handy. In our tests, for example, a 5-by-7-inch color print scanned at 1200 dpi and 42-bit color (using Microtek's ScanWizard 5 TWAIN driver) took 295MB of disk space. (Note, however, that the same amount of space would be required by any other 42-bit, 1200-dpi scanner performing the same test, not just the 8700.)

WHAT ELSE: The 8700 uses Microtek's patented dual-media design, which supports scanning film transparencies measuring up to 8 by 10 inches--via an internal sliding drawer that offers glassless scanning--as well as standard reflective items up to 8.5 by 14 inches. Glassless scanning is advantageous because it eliminates distortions, such as Newton Rings (an unwanted series of concentric circles), that sometimes occur when you're scanning transparencies through an intervening pane of glass. An included, well-made set of film holders for various size formats allows you to batch-scan up to 16 color slides or 24 color negatives, as well as medium-format 120 film. The software bundle includes Adobe Photoshop 5.0 LE for image editing, Ulead Photo Explorer 6.0 for image management, Abbyy FineReader Sprint 4.0 for OCR, and Trellix Web for Web page design. An optional 25-page automatic document feeder costs an additional $149.

BEST USE: For serious graphics pros and corporate customers who want a top-of-the-line model for both reflective and transparency scanning, the Microtek ScanMaker 8700 delivers a hard-to-beat combination of high-quality images, scorching speed, and handy features.

SUMMARY

Microtek ScanMaker 8700 IEEE 1394 and USB, 1200 by 2400 dpi, 22.3 by 15.3 by 6.3 inches (width by depth by height), 25.5 pounds. 8.5-by-14-inch scanning area; built-in transparency adapter; optional automatic document feeder. One-year warranty; free, unlimited toll-call support for 10 hours on weekdays. $900 800/654-4160 www.microtekusa.com