Visioneer Onetouch 8820 USB Flatbed Scanner 1200X2400 DPI 42 BIT

WHAT'S HOT: Though identical in all other ways, the $170 Visioneer OneTouch 8820 outdoes the OneTouch 8800 model by including a transparency adapter lid. The adapter handles up to 5-by-7-inch transparencies, and the package comes with a set of sturdy templates for holding film positives or negatives.

Speed is another strong suit for the OneTouch 8820. It took approximately three and a half minutes to scan our test 5-by-7-inch color print at the scanner's maximum 1200-dots-per-inch optical resolution.

WHAT'S NOT: Visioneer offers limited support hours. Phone support is available for only 9 hours each weekday--most other brands on the SOHO chart are backed by 10 or more hours of support per weekday (and Acer and Canon provide weekend support hours as well). If you end up needing an automatic document feeder down the road, look for a different model; an ADF is not even an option for the 8820.

WHAT ELSE: Like the OneTouch 8800, the 8820 includes seven convenient quick-start buttons: Scan, Copy, Fax, OCR, E-mail, Custom, and Cancel. You can program the custom button to launch an alternate printer or any TWAIN-compliant application, such as a graphics or desktop publishing program.

The robust software bundle includes Adobe Photoshop 5.0 LE for image editing, ScanSoft TextBridge Pro 8.0 for optical character recognition, and ScanSoft PaperPort Deluxe 7.0, one of the best document management programs on the market. Another plus is the improved TWAIN driver, Visioneer Scan Manager Pro, which provides enhanced scanning tools such as batch scanning and hue and color saturation adjustment. Batch scanning can save you time by processing up to six images (reflective photos or 35mm transparencies) simultaneously.

UPSHOT: The Visioneer OneTouch 8820 is a good fit for anyone who wants a fast and easy-to-use dual-format scanner.

SUMMARY

Visioneer OneTouch 8820 USB, 1200 by 2400 dpi, 16.7 by 11.7 by 4.5 inches (width by depth by height), 7.2 pounds, 8.5-by-11.7-inch scanning area; includes transparency adapter, no optional automatic document feeder. One-year warranty; toll-call support for 9 hours on weekdays; 24-hour, toll-free automated support. $170 888/229-4172 www.visioneer.com