os x lion compatible scanner
May 7, 2012 3:02 PM Subscribe
Looking for a decent flatbed scanner compatible with Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) under $100. Will be scanning mostly photos but some documents and drawings as well. Available at Amazon preferably.
Scanner should include any software and drivers necessary to work, or be freely available through manufacturer, to be able to produce jpeg images at the very least (tiff/gif/pdf/png would be nice as well).
Most photos will be 3x5 format, and scanned images will be shared with friends and family, so image quality and resolution should be good, but need not be professional.
At minimum scanner should use USB, although extras like wireless support might be handy, so long as it doesn't compromise image quality.
Do not want a scanner that needs VueScan or other third-party software (Photoshop, Photoshop plugins, Windows, etc) to function.
Scanner should include any software and drivers necessary to work, or be freely available through manufacturer, to be able to produce jpeg images at the very least (tiff/gif/pdf/png would be nice as well).
Most photos will be 3x5 format, and scanned images will be shared with friends and family, so image quality and resolution should be good, but need not be professional.
At minimum scanner should use USB, although extras like wireless support might be handy, so long as it doesn't compromise image quality.
Do not want a scanner that needs VueScan or other third-party software (Photoshop, Photoshop plugins, Windows, etc) to function.
Best answer: Also, it comes with Epson Scan software, in addition to drivers. So you don't need VueScan or Photoshop, etc. to grab photos with the scanner (although Epson Scan can be called from Photoshop, if ever needed, via the usual TWAIN driver mechanism).
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:41 PM on May 7, 2012
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:41 PM on May 7, 2012
Best answer: I came to recommend the V30, which is even cheaper than the V300 that Blazecock recommends. But, yeah. Those two seem to be two of the best-reviewed scanners below $100.
posted by Betelgeuse at 3:44 PM on May 7, 2012
posted by Betelgeuse at 3:44 PM on May 7, 2012
Best answer: Another owner of the V30 version of that Epson scanner.
The major differences between the two v30 and v300 (v330) are.........
- Price - about $20 to $30 depending on where you get it.
- The V300 comes with 35mm Transp Adapter and a 6-negative / 4-slide capacity
Other than that, they are the same. I think my total Amazon cost was about $60 or $65.
For scanning, I use the Epson software to grab the raw images and edit in GIMP which is free and can do all the basics and more.
posted by lampshade at 3:52 PM on May 7, 2012 [1 favorite]
The major differences between the two v30 and v300 (v330) are.........
- Price - about $20 to $30 depending on where you get it.
- The V300 comes with 35mm Transp Adapter and a 6-negative / 4-slide capacity
Other than that, they are the same. I think my total Amazon cost was about $60 or $65.
For scanning, I use the Epson software to grab the raw images and edit in GIMP which is free and can do all the basics and more.
posted by lampshade at 3:52 PM on May 7, 2012 [1 favorite]
Canon's LiDE line works fine with Lion. Well mine does and it's old so I assume the new ones do too. It uses Canon's ugly but function CanoScan software. Apple's own Image Capture application also works with it though that is lacking aggressive scanner controls.
Mine is also entirely USB powered. I'm pretty sure I have the 60 which is probably out of production by now.
posted by chairface at 4:43 PM on May 7, 2012
Mine is also entirely USB powered. I'm pretty sure I have the 60 which is probably out of production by now.
posted by chairface at 4:43 PM on May 7, 2012
I have an 8-year-old Brother MFC whose scanning functions are still supported by Brother in Lion. Here is the list of current Brother products with Lion support, and based on my experience it sure seems like Brother is committed to keeping things going. During the lifetime of this printer I've also gone through Epson and Canon inkjets, which are now in the recycling bin. Brother rocks.
posted by Runes at 7:17 PM on May 7, 2012
posted by Runes at 7:17 PM on May 7, 2012
We've got this one: Canon LiDE110
Used it on Mac OS 10.7 and 10.6 with no issues. It's $54 on Amazon, and powered by just the USB. Quality is good, with a limited feature set (no wireless, we have no adapters for slides or negatives). It's been reliable, which is key in my book.
posted by heliostatic at 9:03 PM on May 7, 2012
Used it on Mac OS 10.7 and 10.6 with no issues. It's $54 on Amazon, and powered by just the USB. Quality is good, with a limited feature set (no wireless, we have no adapters for slides or negatives). It's been reliable, which is key in my book.
posted by heliostatic at 9:03 PM on May 7, 2012
I've also been happy with the LiDE110, but I found Canon's software to be slow and clunky. I now use it with VueScan and it works fine.
posted by Joe in Australia at 11:16 PM on May 7, 2012
posted by Joe in Australia at 11:16 PM on May 7, 2012
Response by poster: Leaning towards one of the Epson models. Not too keen on Canon, as I had a multifunction printer/fax/scanner of theirs that didn't support all functions under OS X.
posted by 6550 at 12:16 AM on May 8, 2012
posted by 6550 at 12:16 AM on May 8, 2012
Response by poster: Update: picked up an Epson V30. Downloaded the Lion compatible software from Epson's site, and it's working just fine.
posted by 6550 at 8:13 PM on June 10, 2012
posted by 6550 at 8:13 PM on June 10, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:38 PM on May 7, 2012