[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >I wish to purchase a Canon/Epson USB scanner to connect to my Pismo. I'll >be using OSX most of the time, so I'll need to have OSX connectivity either >via Vuescan, Photoshop 7 or Graphic Converter X. > >Can anyone recommend me one? I'm looking at the lower end, since my >scanning needs don't require a high-end unit.
I've been using the Canon N656U with my Pismo and OS 9; works very nice, especially for OCRing material out of books, which is most of what I use it for. However, it doesn't look like Canon will be releasing native OS X drivers for this model. There's been some discussion on MacInTouch recently (<http://www.macintouch.com/mosxreader10.2pt40.html> and on to part 41) about Canon's erratic OS X support. Here's what I wrote there: Canon's OS X scanner support intentions remain confusing. A week ago (as I recall) the download page indicated no "Toolbox" support for the 650/656/1220 generation scanners, but today it says "Download Driver Now." When I click the link, though, what is offered is a new, different application named "ScanExpert" (instead of the earlier CanoScan 1.3, which runs only in Classic), which promises scanning in "Mac OS X in 'Native Mode,'" but also seems to require Photoshop or Elements (as noted in previous posts), which sounds like a plug-in, not an application. In contrast, the link for the later/current 670/676/1240 scanner generation offers a newer CanoScan, "v4.1.1.0X," which does seem to be a stand-alone application like its earlier version (which I'm presently running in OS 9 with a 656 scanner). If they've updated CanoScan for the later scanners, why not for the earlier ones, rather than writing a whole different app that offers less capability? The psychology of computer hardware/software manufacturers continues to mystify. I'm planning the move to OS X soon, and have purchased a Canon N670U, partly for its apparently better X support (also its blue cover matches my Pismo better than the silver 656). I use my present Canon scanner mostly for OCR, with the bundled OmniPage SE, which works very nicely. Unfortunately, I gather it hasn't been updated for X; I hope it will run in Classic. Anyway, I would recommend the Canon scanners, which are small and light, and the USB power is very convenient. All I have to do is put the scanner next to my Pismo and connect the USB cable, and it's ready to go. But for use with OS X, get at least one of the 670/676/1240 generation, or one of the newer LiDE series. Outpost has recently (mid-November, mid-December) had refurbished 670s (90 day wty) for $40; appear to be out again, but they may get more; I heard about it thru DealMac.com. They can also be found for about the same price on eBay. Andrew Main -- G-Books is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-Books list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
