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JLFanboy · Jun 24, 2002, 10:16 AM

Basically I want to buy a scanner. Now, I really don't know all that much about scanners, but I do remember hearing that OS X has issues with a lot of scanners and that not every company has released scanner drivers for X.

Specifically, I'm looking at an Epson Perfection 1650. Should I expect it to work in OS X or am I out of luck? Any feedback would be appreciated.

ddiokno · Jun 24, 2002, 11:14 AM

Hi JLF,
Out of the box, Epson doesn't currently have OSX support, but you can download their [url=http://www.epsondevelopers.com/macscan/scantofile.jsp]beta drivers[/b] which do work quite well. They do have a driver that supports the 1650. There is no definite time frame for the final drivers, but seeing as how they released this beta in March, I think the final should be out soon (cross your fingers for MacWorld NY). Again, I would say that the beta drivers have worked quite well for me.
best of luck,
dave

ddiokno · Jun 24, 2002, 11:16 AM

I forgot to add, I've had scanners from Agfa, Canon, Mustek, HP, Umax, and Epson, and have consistently had the best images from the Epsons.

I'm sure others might have differing opinions, but this is my experience.

regards,
dave

JLFanboy · Jun 24, 2002, 11:19 AM

Thanks for the info. I've heard from quite a few sources that Epson scanners are the best, but I still do appreciate the reiteration. I think I'm gonna get the scanner and try the betas. Worse case scenario I just use OS 9, right? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

OldManMac · Jun 24, 2002, 12:11 PM

The Epsons are the best, IMHO. I use a 1640 on OS X, with their scan-to-file drivers, and it works quite well.

Jerome · Jun 25, 2002, 11:09 PM

Well, you always have the one guy who thinks differently from all the others. That's me in this case.

While Epson's scanner and driver might "work" well, the image quality isn't impressive from my experience. The slide scaning thing is absolute crap. I had a Perfection 1250 at work and we just stopped using it in favor of our 37 years old HP. My brother bought an Epson (not sure about the model) but is giving it away for free after a month of use.

I would recommand Agfa if you can find one. I think they stopped producing consumer-level scanners. But I have Snapscan e50 that works well in OS X. In fact, they had software, driver and photoshop twain plugin since about last summer. Kind of odd, Photoshop shipped just recently.

[ 06-26-2002, 12:14 AM: Message edited by: Jerome ]

dwayne · Jun 26, 2002, 01:10 PM

i just purchased a printer. i went to the apple osx site first, they have a list of items that have osx drivers available. that may help you decide. to get one with a drive is less hassle down the road. imo.

Stogieman · Jun 26, 2002, 09:41 PM

Just wait until Jaguar is released at the end of summer. It appears Image Capture will incorporate drivers for scanners just like iTunes does with CD-burners.

<img src="http://www.thinksecret.com/archives/jaguarscannersupport.jpg" alt=" - " />

<a href="http://www.thinksecret.com/features/jaguarscannersupport.html" target="_blank">http://www.thinksecret.com/features/jaguarscannersupport.html</a>

scaught · Jun 26, 2002, 10:27 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by KarlG:
The Epsons are the best, IMHO. I use a 1640 on OS X, with their scan-to-file drivers, and it works quite well.<hr /></blockquote>ill second that nomination. theres a photoshop plug-in too that i just installed and works great so you can scan right into PS7. wee

ericwass · Jun 27, 2002, 01:30 AM

Just bought an Epson Perfection 1650 photo today... works great in OS X & Photoshop with the beta drivers available on the Epson site. Go for it!

Ken_F2 · Jun 29, 2002, 02:58 AM

I have the Epson 2450 Photo and use it under OSX with the beta scan drivers referenced earlier in this thread. This scanner delivers extremely high quality scans, the best I've seen in a consumer level product. I'd say the main limitation is speed; under OS X, scans take three to four times as long as they do in Windows XP. This probably has to do with the immature drivers and lack of Firewire scanning support under OSX; hopefully, this problem will be rectified in a future driver release.