Microtek Scanmaker 3800

WHAT'S HOT: The Microtek ScanMaker 3800 generates crisp scans with well-saturated color and clear details in both print and on-screen images. Other merits include an economical $100 price, a compact design, and the convenience of five front-panel push buttons: Scan, Copy, E-mail, OCR, and Scan to Web. The Scan to Web feature automatically scans and uploads images to a photo-sharing site. The 3800 also scans both reflective media (prints) and transparent materials (35mm slides and filmstrips) right off the shelf.

WHAT'S NOT: Although the 3800 captures clean 48-bit images, its 600-by-1200-dpi resolution is less than most of the 1200-by-2400 dpi units on the SOHO chart. Lower resolution prevents you from effectively enlarging small images such as 35mm slides. The company cuts off free access to its technical support staff after 90 days, and makes you pay for a toll call. Worse, the free period only covers basic installation help--advanced troubleshooting costs $15 per call. After the 90 days, you must pay a $30 charge for every call. You can't get an automatic document feeder with this model.

WHAT ELSE: The 3800 performed adequately in our speed tests. When scanning a 5-by-7-inch color print at maximum optical resolution, it hit a throughput of 589 KBps, proving its worth when up against models like the HP Scanjet 4470c (580 KBps) and Microtek ScanMaker 4700 (562 KBps). However, it doesn't come close to our current speed champ, the Canon CanoScan D1230UF, which reached 826 KBps. Microtek retooled its bundled transparency adapter (the Microtek LightLid 35) to include a new "grip prong" that holds slides more securely than with previous versions. The versatile scanner driver, Microtek ScanWizard 5.0, provides commendable basic and advanced controls. Other software includes a capable image editor (Adobe PhotoDeluxe 4.0) an image organizer (Ulead PhotoExplorer 7.0 SE), an OCR application (Abbyy FineReader Sprint 4.0), and a Web site builder (Trellix Web Microtek Edition 2.7).

UPSHOT: The 600-dpi Microtek ScanMaker 3800 is an affordable scanner for SOHO and home users wanting a simple dual-format unit.

SUMMARY

Microtek ScanMaker 3800 USB, 600 by 1200 dpi, 11.3 by 17.1 by 3.1 inches (width by depth by height), 6 pounds, 8.5-by-11.7-inch scanning area; includes transparency adapter, no optional automatic document feeder. One-year warranty; toll call technical support (10 hours on weekdays) limited to 90 days; thereafter, fee-based toll-call support is available for $30 per call. $100 310/297-5155 www.microtekusa.com