Visioneer OneTouch 9000 USB

WHAT'S HOT: When it comes to scanning performance, the Visioneer OneTouch 9000 USB is a scorcher. As a high-speed USB 2.0 model (also backward compatible with USB 1.1), it not only left other USB 2.0 and 1.1 models in the dust, but even gave FireWire (IEEE 1394) scanners a run for the money. For example, while other USB models took an average of 81 seconds for our 2-by-2-inch color photo at 1200 dots per inch, the OneTouch 9000 took only 36.42 seconds. That ranks close behind Microtek's two FireWire-based models, the ScanMaker 6700 and ScanMaker 8700, which took 36.06 and 31.05 seconds respectively to complete the same test.

The 9000's design is noticeably sleeker than its predecessors': It's almost 2 pounds lighter and 2 inches slimmer than the previous generation of OneTouch models. But the leaner 9000 still has room for five quick-start buttons. Although four of the buttons are preconfigured for scanning, copying or printing, e-mail, and OCR, you can easily customize the settings for any of them.

WHAT'S NOT: In contrast to its impressive speed, the OneTouch 9000 suffers from lackluster image quality. Our test color photos, both print and on-screen, had a reddish cast. Skin tones in particular looked ruddier than the originals. Also noticeable was the slightly high overall contrast in our black-and-white test photo, which showed up as reduced highlights and shadows that lacked detail. However, the 9000 fared marginally better with its output from a 300-dpi page of line art, by displaying finer details (such as in circular patterns and geometric lines) than most competing (1200-dpi) scanners in its class.

The OneTouch 9000 is capable of performing 48-bit color scans and its driver can pass 48-bit images to an image editor, but ArcSoft PhotoImpression, the image editor bundled with this scanner, can only work with 24-bit images. In order to save and work with 48-bit color images, you'll need to buy an image editor that supports 48-bit graphics, such as Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop LE, or Ulead PhotoImpact. You can't upgrade this model's hardware: No transparency adapter or automatic document feeder is available. And there is no live technical support on weekends.

WHAT ELSE: The software bundle includes an entry-level image editor (ArcSoft PhotoImpression) that's fine for basic chores but lacks the range of features provided by more robust image editors (such as ArcSoft PhotoStudio or Adobe Photoshop Elements). ScanSoft PaperPort Deluxe 7.0, the excellent document management program that's bundled with this model, includes ScanSoft's optical character recognition engine, which can automatically convert simple documents (such as typed pages) into editable text. But to do more complex jobs, such as converting tables or magazine layouts into spreadsheet files or editable text, you'll need a stand-alone OCR application like ScanSoft OmniPage or Abbyy FineReader Sprint. Though the bundled programs aren't as full-featured as the other programs we mentioned, they are sufficient to meet the needs of beginning and intermediate users and are a reasonable value in a scanner package at this price.

Visioneer's ScanManager Pro driver doesn't offer simple and advanced modes as some other drivers do, but executing common tasks, such as scanning a color or black-and-white photo, is easy enough from the main interface. Advanced features are located on submenus that can be reached from buttons on the main screen. Once you've learned how to change various settings, you can also save them and add them to the pick list of scanning modes on the main screen.

UPSHOT: Impressive speed, a nice price, and respectable line-art quality are the best attributes of this scanner. An automatic document feeder and a full-featured OCR package would make this scanner a more satisfactory document-processing device. For graphics work, other models in the same price range offer better image quality.

SUMMARY

Visioneer OneTouch 9000 USB USB 2.0 and USB 1.1, 1200 by 4800 dpi, 11.9 by 17 by 2.6 inches (width by depth by height), 5.1 pounds, 8.5-by-11.69-inch scanning area; no optional transparency adapter or automatic document feeder. One-year warranty; free toll-call technical support for 9 hours on weekdays; 24-hour, toll-free automated support. $99 888/229-4172 www.visioneer.com