Scanner index
These are not formal reviews. They are bench notes from machines I cleaned, repaired, or used for awkward paper. If the same model behaved differently on another computer, I noted the driver or interface.
| Model / family | Interface | Sensor | Observed habits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP ScanJet 4c / 4p | SCSI | CCD | Heavy and slow, but tolerant of curled paper. Lamp needs time to settle before grayscale work. |
| Epson Perfection 1200U | USB | CCD | Good shadow detail. Occasional blue cast until calibration strip is cleaned. |
| Canon CanoScan FB series | Parallel / USB | CIS | Thin lid, fast start, weaker depth of field. Raised folds go soft quickly. |
| Microtek ScanMaker E3 | SCSI | CCD | Nice for old photocopies. Driver install is the hard part, not the scanning. |
| Mustek 1200 CU | USB | CIS | Cheap, light, and surprisingly useful when the glass is spotless. Overexposes pale blue ink. |
CCD versus CIS
CCD scanners usually have more depth of field, so a wrinkled page or taped receipt can still be readable away from the glass. CIS scanners are thin and convenient, but a page that lifts even slightly may go fuzzy. This matters for bound manuals, folded forms, and old stapled packets.
Warm-up and calibration
Cold fluorescent lamps can shift brightness during the first scans. If the first page of a batch has a darker top edge but later pages look normal, the lamp may simply be settling. I do a preview scan, wait thirty seconds, then begin the real batch.
Interfaces
SCSI scanners are simpler than their reputation, but the cable, terminator, and card BIOS all matter. USB 1.1 units are easier to connect and easier to overload with high DPI color scans. Parallel-port models are best kept with the computer that already knows them.