Scanner Recommendations Please

[Searcher7]

I have a Hewlett Packard Laserjet 2100TN which I want to keep. But I
need to be able to scan and fax.

Can I get recommendations on the best machine that I can get for
this.(Possibly something that I can also connect to the parallel port
via some sort of pass-through).

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks a lot.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

 

[Dances With Crows]

I have a Hewlett Packard Laserjet 2100TN which I want to keep. But I
need to be able to scan and fax.

Huh? Why would a connecting a scanner make your printer stop working?
If you're using Windows 9x, it could, but that's a different problem. I
can't tell which OS you're using since you used Google's excuse for a
Usenet client to post the original message.

Can I get recommendations on the best machine that I can get for
[scanning and faxing]?

Define your requirements more rigorously. Are you scanning color
documents for reproduction, color for OCR, black-and-white for
reproduction, black-and-white for OCR, film, slides, or something else?
The answer will determine the recommendations that people make. Faxing
stuff is orthogonal to scanning stuff; all you need is hylafax or some
similar fax software and a modem. (Since everybody has e-mail now, I'd
say that fax is obsolete, but obviously YMMV.)

(Possibly something that I can also connect to the parallel port
via some sort of pass-through).

Very few scanners currently available in stores use parport, because
parport is slower than USB or SCSI or Firewire. Consumer-level scanners
these days are mostly USB, 'cause USB is everywhere and it works
reasonably well if you don't have to shovel tons of data over it.

 

[Searcher7]

Huh? Why would a connecting a scanner make your printer stop working?
If you're using Windows 9x, it could, but that's a different problem. I
can't tell which OS you're using since you used Google's excuse for a
Usenet client to post the original message.

I never said that connecting a scanner would make my printer stop
working. I said I have a printer and need a scanner(that I'll use for
faxing).

I have several opersating system on various PCs, but didn't think it
would be a factor since I'm looking for the best scanner I can get that
connects to my parallel port.

Can I get recommendations on the best machine that I can get for
[scanning and faxing]?

Define your requirements more rigorously. Are you scanning color
documents for reproduction, color for OCR, black-and-white for
reproduction, black-and-white for OCR, film, slides, or something else?
The answer will determine the recommendations that people make. Faxing
stuff is orthogonal to scanning stuff; all you need is hylafax or some
similar fax software and a modem. (Since everybody has e-mail now, I'd
say that fax is obsolete, but obviously YMMV.)

I need a color flatbed scanner...

Very few scanners currently available in stores use parport, because
parport is slower than USB or SCSI or Firewire. Consumer-level scanners
these days are mostly USB, 'cause USB is everywhere and it works
reasonably well if you don't have to shovel tons of data over it.

I want to use it with my parallel port, which my printer is already
connected to.

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

 

[Dances With Crows]

I have a Hewlett Packard Laserjet 2100TN which I want to keep. But
I need to be able to scan and fax.

Huh? Why would a connecting a scanner make your printer stop [...]
can't tell which OS you're using since you used Google's excuse for a
Usenet client to post the original message.

I never said that connecting a scanner would make my printer stop
working. I said I have a printer and need a scanner(that I'll use for
faxing).

Er... what? You said you want your scanner to fax things? That's like
using a toaster to fry eggs. You acquire images with a scanner, then
you fax them using hylafax or whatever and your modem.

I have several opersating system on various PCs, but didn't think it
would be a factor since I'm looking for the best scanner I can get
that connects to my parallel port.

You're going to be disappointed if you think you want a parport scanner.
Parport is *slower* than any other commonly-used scanner connection
method. Searching for "parallel" on pricewatch.com category "scanners"
gives 3 pages of hits, but that search is not accurate--the first hit
just had "parallel" in its page text; the scanner itself was Firewire.
The other hits all led to some half-assed webstore that didn't even have
any tech specs on the scanners they were selling. Get a USB scanner;
it'll save you time and trouble.

Say which version of which OS you're using on the machine you're going
to connect the scanner to, so nobody recommends that you buy a scanner
that won't work on it.

I need a color flatbed scanner. I want to use it with my parallel
port, which my printer is already connected to.

Color flatbed, all right. Are the images you acquire going to be
professionally printed, printed on a consumer-level inkjet, displayed on
a monitor, OCRed, or what? You probably want high resolution (~1200
DPI) for professional prints, and you can get away with lower resolution
for less demanding final display. 300 DPI is fine for English-text OCR
and slight overkill for monitor display. Any consumer-level scanner can
hack 300 DPI. Scanners differ in scan speed, accuracy of the colors
they return in the final images, and how much the manufacturer's scan
software sucks, so you may wish to say how much all of those things
matter to you.

You don't want a parport scanner unless you have an ancient computer
that has no PCI slots or USB ports. In that case, you want a USB PCI
card (about $30) or a new motherboard.

 

[CSM1]

I have a Hewlett Packard Laserjet 2100TN which I want to keep. But I
need to be able to scan and fax.

Can I get recommendations on the best machine that I can get for
this.(Possibly something that I can also connect to the parallel port
via some sort of pass-through).

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks a lot.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

Parallel Port is not a good idea, Windows XP does not do Parallel Port
except for a printer.
You are better off with USB devices.

I would recommend a standalone fax machine for faxing. The advantage is a
machine that can both receive and send faxes. Scanner and printer combos can
not do that well.

And a separate Scanner of your choice that will scan your pictures and
documents at good resolution. (1200 dpi and up).

Today's cheap scanners ($50 and up) will scan all of the letter or A4 size
or smaller photos and documents just fine.

 

[Daniel]

BUT if you want a scanner than faxes, I am happy with my Brother MFC 3420,
but don't expect super high quality scans, just very adequate.
Ink costs are very high so I use non brother inks.
No Parport either, but then again I haven't seen one in years??

HTH Daniel

 

[Searcher7]

On 6 May 2005 10:09:50 -0700, (e-mail address removed)2.com staggered into
the Black Sun and said:
I have a Hewlett Packard Laserjet 2100TN which I want to keep. But
I need to be able to scan and fax.
Huh? Why would a connecting a scanner make your printer stop [...]
can't tell which OS you're using since you used Google's excuse for a
Usenet client to post the original message.

I never said that connecting a scanner would make my printer stop
working. I said I have a printer and need a scanner(that I'll use for
faxing).

Er... what? You said you want your scanner to fax things? That's like
using a toaster to fry eggs. You acquire images with a scanner, then
you fax them using hylafax or whatever and your modem.

Um... I you don't have a fax machine then there is no way to fax using
your pc if you do not have a scanner. That's why I said I want "a
scanner that I'll use for faxing."

You're going to be disappointed if you think you want a parport scanner.
Parport is *slower* than any other commonly-used scanner connection
method. Searching for "parallel" on pricewatch.com category "scanners"
gives 3 pages of hits, but that search is not accurate--the first hit
just had "parallel" in its page text; the scanner itself was Firewire.
The other hits all led to some half-assed webstore that didn't even have
any tech specs on the scanners they were selling. Get a USB scanner;
it'll save you time and trouble.

Only I can decide if I'll be disappointed with a parallel port scanner.
I already have four USB devices and only two USB ports on any of the
four PCs I have.

Say which version of which OS you're using on the machine you're going
to connect the scanner to, so nobody recommends that you buy a scanner
that won't work on it.

Since I have Win98(SE), WinME, Win2000, and WinXP, I'll use whatever
works.

Color flatbed, all right. Are the images you acquire going to be
professionally printed, printed on a consumer-level inkjet, displayed on
a monitor, OCRed, or what? You probably want high resolution (~1200
DPI) for professional prints, and you can get away with lower resolution
for less demanding final display. 300 DPI is fine for English-text OCR
and slight overkill for monitor display. Any consumer-level scanner can
hack 300 DPI. Scanners differ in scan speed, accuracy of the colors
they return in the final images, and how much the manufacturer's scan
software sucks, so you may wish to say how much all of those things
matter to you.

None of this matters....

This is only about getting a scanner without having buy or change
anything else.(The best color flatbed that I can use with my parallel
port without it interferring with my printer). If I wanted a film
scanner I would have posted in a different group.

You don't want a parport scanner unless you have an ancient computer
that has no PCI slots or USB ports. In that case, you want a USB PCI
card (about $30) or a new motherboard.

All of my PCs are Pentium 3 systems. And there is nothing wrong with
trying to get the best parallel port scanner I can get. Especially
since I'll only have to fax a time sheet to my work office once a week.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

 

[Searcher7]

Parallel Port is not a good idea, Windows XP does not do Parallel Port
except for a printer.
You are better off with USB devices.

Then I won't use Windows XP.

I would recommend a standalone fax machine for faxing. The advantage is a
machine that can both receive and send faxes. Scanner and printer combos can
not do that well.

The quality will be well enough for my purpose. And a scanner is
simpler and more useful than a "standalone fax machine".

And a separate Scanner of your choice that will scan your pictures and
documents at good resolution. (1200 dpi and up).

With a scanner I won't need a fax machine. I have too many peripherals
and not enough space as it is. For high quality scans, I'd have to get
a higher end scanner that of course wouldn't work via my parallel port.
But again, that is not my need.

Today's cheap scanners ($50 and up) will scan all of the letter or A4 size
or smaller photos and documents just fine.

I'm not worried about anything over 8-1/2 x 11.

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

 

[Searcher7]

BUT if you want a scanner than faxes, I am happy with my Brother MFC 3420,
but don't expect super high quality scans, just very adequate.
Ink costs are very high so I use non brother inks.
No Parport either, but then again I haven't seen one in years??

I won't be receiving faxes, so ink will not be an issue. And as I
mentioned, I have a printer.

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

 

[teflon]

I don't know of any new ones, though I would suggest ebay for a used
parallel port scanner. I cannot suggest a particular model as they were
before my time. Perhaps an old archive somewhere may have a review - or just
take pot luck. After all, it's hardly high-end use.

Alternatively, you could pick up a cheap usb scanner brand spanking new and
get an adaptor, or an adaptor cable, to fit the parallel port on your pc, or
a even usb card to fit in your pc.

If I assume price is a consideration here, it may just turn out the same
cost as a second-hand parallel port scanner from ebay, when you consider the
often inflated postage charges.

Good luck.

 

[CSM1]

Then I won't use Windows XP.


The quality will be well enough for my purpose. And a scanner is
simpler and more useful than a "standalone fax machine".


With a scanner I won't need a fax machine. I have too many peripherals
and not enough space as it is. For high quality scans, I'd have to get
a higher end scanner that of course wouldn't work via my parallel port.
But again, that is not my need.


I'm not worried about anything over 8-1/2 x 11.

8-1/2 x 11 is letter size.

 

[Searcher7]

8-1/2 x 11 is letter size.

Yes. I know.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.