Microtek ScanMaker 3600 USB Flatbed Scanner (PC/Mac)

Amazon.com Review
The Microtek ScanMaker 3600 USB is a solid, easy-to-use flatbed scanner that delivers high-quality results with very little setup and image tweaking. As such, it's perfect for a home or small office, or for a novice user. With its lightweight, trim design, it fits easily into a small workspace. Setup takes just a few minutes, and the software, consisting of five applications, installs easily.

A quick reference guide outlines all of the basic functions of the scanner. More in-depth information is found in the driver software's online help. Besides the Microtek scanning program itself, the additional bundled software takes care of tasks ranging from image enhancement and web preparation (PhotoDeluxe and Photo Impact) to file management (PageKeeper). The latter program is useful for organizing large sets of scanned documents, and lets you easily add annotations to graphic files.

Novice users will want to start using the small range of preset image settings and move on to customization as they gain experience. To use the presets, you select the purpose for which you are making the scan, and each profile has its own default resolution setting. Using the presets, we found the results to be quite professional.

The scanner software lets you view the results on screen, set the print quality, create a fax, or perform text recognition (OCR) scans. Text recognition uses the included OmniPage OCR program to turn pages of text into editable text files.

Although the default settings work well for most needs, more advanced users can also vary the scan quality itself. For example, a very dark original can be lightened before, rather than after, scanning. --David Greenberger

Pros:

Fast and easy setup
Good results using presets

Product Description:
The award-winning ScanMaker product line has just adopted its newest family member, ideal for home office users and students. This 42-bit Dual Optimization Technology (DOT), 600 x 1200 dpi color flatbed scanner features exceptionally fast scanning speed, high image quality, award-winning scanning software and the PC and Macintosh-compatible applications for image editing and optical character recognition. The ScanMaker 3600 also features a USB connection to address the growing installed base of USB-based PC and iMac home computer systems.

Microtek ScanMaker 3600 USB Flatbed Scanner (PC/Mac)

Microtek ScanMaker 3600 USB Flatbed Scanner (PC/Mac)

Average customer rating:

Fast and Easy to Use
Guess what problem I had........Yep, Bulb burnout!!!
short bulb life
Disposable
Possibly the worst scanner I've owned

Microtek ScanMaker 3600 USB Flatbed Scanner (PC/Mac)

Manufacturer: Microtek
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Flatbed | Scanners | Office Electronics | Categories | Electronics

Flatbed Scanners | Printers & Scanners | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

Office Electronics | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

Microtek | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics

Printers & Scanners | Used Photo & Camera | Specialty Stores | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics
Accessories:

Targus PAUH212U 7 Port USB 2.0 Hub
Targus PAUH217U 4 Port Ultra Mini USB 2.0 Hub
Belkin F3U134-10 USB Extension Cable (10-Feet)

Product Features:

Connect on the fly with the USB interface
600 x 1,200 dpi optical resolution, 9,600 dpi interpolated
42-bit color depth through Dual Optimization Technology
Automatic color calibration for true-to-life color reproduction
ScanWizard TWAIN software for easy photo scanning

ASIN: B0000488VU

Product Description

The award-winning ScanMaker product line has just adopted its newest family member, ideal for home office users and students. This 42-bit Dual Optimization Technology (DOT), 600 x 1200 dpi color flatbed scanner features exceptionally fast scanning speed, high image quality, award-winning scanning software and the PC and Macintosh-compatible applications for image editing and optical character recognition. The ScanMaker 3600 also features a USB connection to address the growing installed base of USB-based PC and iMac home computer systems.

Amazon.com Review

The Microtek ScanMaker 3600 USB is a solid, easy-to-use flatbed scanner that delivers high-quality results with very little setup and image tweaking. As such, it's perfect for a home or small office, or for a novice user. With its lightweight, trim design, it fits easily into a small workspace. Setup takes just a few minutes, and the software, consisting of five applications, installs easily.

Pros:

Fast and easy setup
Good results using presets

Amazon.com Product Description

Plug in the Microtek ScanMaker 3600 to the USB port on your Windows or Macintosh computer and enter the world of digital imaging. Scan 42-bit color images at optical resolutions up to 600 x 1,200 dpi using Microtek's new ScanWizard 5 software. E-mail scanned photos to friends and family, make color copies on your printer, or follow one of the guided activities in Adobe PhotoDeluxe to create a memorable photo keepsake. Automatic color calibration provides true-to-life color reproduction, and the ScanWizard TWAIN software makes digitizing photos easier and more convenient than ever.

The ScanMaker 3600 provides affordable high-resolution 42-bit scanning in a compact, easy-to-use flatbed scanner. This USB model ships with software and drivers for USB-equipped Windows 98 systems as well as Power Macintosh and iMac systems with USB ports.

Customer Reviews:

Fast and Easy to Use.......2004-12-24

I have owned this scanner and never had trouble with it. It was easy to install and it was a fast scanner. It was user friendly, small, lightweight and works with pc or mac machines. I would still be using it if it wasn't for the fact I was given an all-in-one printer. I honestly don't have anything bad to say.

Guess what problem I had........Yep, Bulb burnout!!!.......2004-03-11

I basically bought the Microtek scanmaker 3600 b/c it was slim, looked good and was fairly inexpensive campared to others. I enjoyed it while it was scanning (of course I don't know a lot about computers,etc.) However, It only worked for just a few months before the bulb burnt out. Imagine that! I also got the red low glow (???). Like others, I found it hard to get to the on/off switch. And of course as said before, the only way to get it fixed was to mail the scanner back to them at my cost. Well forget that. I bought a new scanner and it definitely was not a Microtek. Microtek is not worth the time, trouble and added stress. Thanks for reading. ironjaw

short bulb life.......2003-05-15

The scanner worked fine for the first month. Then I accidentally left the power on for a week, and the bulb burned out. Not completely, but the light is no longer bright white, but rather a dim neon red and all scans are so dim and noisy as to be unusable. I guess the bulb can't be replaced. What do you expect for [the price], I guess.

Disposable.......2002-12-24

I too purchased a 3600. It was inexpensive when I bought it so I should have known better... The inside of the lid is black. That translates into photo copies using a LOT of laser toner. Also, the power switch is a small toggle on the back. Turning it on and off is a hassle. Leaving it on will burn out the bulb in short order. (Which is exactley what happened with mine.)
Turns out the bulb is some sort of special Microtek only bulb. Even if you are a technician, you can't get the bulb. If the printer is out of warranty, getting the thing repaired will cost more than the original price. My suggestion?
Spend a little more on a different brand with a common bulb and buy the extended warranty.

Possibly the worst scanner I've owned.......2002-11-09

This is the worst scanner. I constantly have problems with it reading documents and please, don't tell me it's my computer,it isn't. It's not too bad with photos but certainly not the quality you'd expect. The support, is there support? I've never had a response to any of my inquiries. All in all I would never purchase another one.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics