WHAT'S HOT: Brisk performance typifies most Visioneer scanners, and the OneTouch 8800 USB is no exception. Sporting true 42-bit color and a maximum optical resolution of 1200 by 2400 dpi, the 8800 makes the SOHO chart largely due to its snappy speed scores. When scanning a 5-by-7-inch color print at its maximum optical resolution, the 8800's 741-kilobytes-per-second throughput was the fastest of any USB scanner on the SOHO chart, including the top-ranked Epson Perfection 1240U Photo, which registered a 653-kilobytes-per-second throughput for the same test.

The 8800's print and on-screen image quality come as another plus, with striking color replication and distinct details, even in shadowy areas. Though the 8800's scan quality is as good as that of many other SOHO-chart models, the higher-rated Epson 1240U's scan quality is still marginally better (brighter, sharper, and more colorful) than the rest of the pack.

WHAT'S NOT: Visioneer's support hours are limited compared with those offered by other vendors on the SOHO chart. Live support is available for only 9 hours each weekday, while the majority of the scanners on the SOHO chart are backed by at least 12 hours of support each weekday (and Acer, Canon, HP, and Umax provide consistent weekend support hours as well). The lack of an optional automatic document feeder or transparency adapter is this model's most limiting factor, curtailing its usefulness as an all-purpose scanner.

WHAT ELSE: The OneTouch 8800 includes seven handy push buttons, one of which you can program to trigger a desktop publishing program or a printer. The software bundle includes two image editors: PictureWorks PhotoEnhancer 3.1 for easy jobs, and Adobe Photoshop 5.0 LE for advanced work, such as capturing those 42-bit scanned images (which retain more accurate color information than smaller 24-bit images).

Also bundled are ScanSoft TextBridge Pro 8.0 for optical character recognition; ScanSoft PaperPort Deluxe 7.0 for document management; and an improved TWAIN driver, Visioneer's Scan Manager Pro, which provides more custom scanning tools (such as hue and color saturation adjustment) than Visioneer's previous TWAIN driver did.

BEST USE: The moderately priced Visioneer OneTouch 8800 USB is a wise choice for anyone who wants a fast scanner with ample software. But if you want a scanner that can handle transparencies in addition to reflective material, consider Microtek's comparably priced ScanMaker 4700, which includes a transparency adapter.

SUMMARY

Visioneer OneTouch 8800 USB USB, 1200 by 2400 dpi, 10.5 by 16.7 by 3.7 inches (width by depth by height), 5.8 pounds, 8.5-by-11.7-inch scanning area; no optional transparency adapter or automatic document feeder. One-year warranty; toll-call support for 9 hours on weekdays; 24-hour, toll-free automated support. $180 888/229-4172 www.visioneer.com