Setup
This scanner is a piece of cake to setup on both the Macintosh and PC platforms. Two required steps are plugging it into your computer followed by the placing of the installation CD into your CD-ROM drive. Once you let the installer run its course, you're ready to start scanning. It took a total of 5 minutes to get this scanner up and running (on both platforms). Others have reported enormous problems getting this thing to run in Windows...I don't know if Artec came out with new software since then, but my most techno-illiterate computer users could install this with no problems.

Scanning
You can use the twain drivers to acquire a photo from this thing in ANY photo-capable software. It integrates flawlessly, and the range of resolution is amazing for the price. You can scan low-end photos around 20-50K a piece or you can scan amazingly sharp images that can take up as much as 20 GB per image. It scans VERY fast and very efficiently for the quality turned out. I've yet to run into ANY problems whatsoever with this dandy.

Software
Besides the drivers for Windows 98 and Mac OS (8.1 or higher), the 1236USB comes with a fairly stock and cheesy photo editing suite. It's alright for the novice/beginner, but I would seriously recommend using other photo-editing software for anyone serious about scanning. It lacks simple features such as red-eye removal, while it has silly perks such as making a coloring book out of your photo (which, by the way, rarely turns out a product resembling a coloring book).

Overall
One of the coolest features of this scanner is the lack of a power chord. It is solely powered by USB, and this feature saves you from adding to the already spaghettiesque world of wires at your computer desk. If you're looking for a quality, dependable scanner at a reasonable, inexpensive price, go for the Artec 1236USB for PC or Macintosh. You won't regret it.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 90
Interface: USB