daquan's Full Review: Canon CanoScan LiDE200 Flatbed Scanner
WHAT'S THE 411 ON THIS PRODUCT?
First, let me say that for many years, I've trusted Hewlett Packard from the very first time that I bought my very first inkjet printer by them back in '96. Back then, I trusted no one else but HP. All of the inkjet printers were HP and the scanner I got before the Canon CanoScan LiDE200 Flatbed Scanner was also a HP.
But lately, I have not had any good luck with HP products at all! The last two printers have quit on me for no reason at all and now the HP scanner isn't working at all either. The very uncanny thing about HP products is that they seem to stop working right after the one-year warranty expires!! It's almost as though HP knowingly predicts that their printers and scanners are going to quit working real soon!
WHAT THEN?
So, I went on the hunt for what I thought would be the perfect replacement for the HP scanner that I wanted so bad to have hothing else to do with any more. I wanted a scanner that's made by another co. One whose software is compatible with Windows Vista, as well as earlier versions of Windows operating systems. So that if for some reason, I want to add the software to a pc with any of them, I could.
Because any inkjet printer, scanner, laserjet printer, fax machine or the all-in-one units should have software that works with Windows Vista. You shouldn't have to special-order software because it didn't come with the products mentioned above. It should already be packed in the box with the unit before it leaves the factory!
WHY I'M SO ANGRY, FRUSTRATED, FURIOUS & THROUGH WITH HP:
When the one-year warranty expires and you call them for tech support and give them the info that they request on your particular product's model # that is made by them, once they know that your warranty has expireed, they'll immediately want to chargee you $35.00 before they go any further. Chancese are, that the product will fail again, and again and again - costing you even MORE money for tech support help!!
After having called them again for tech support on the scanner, they again wanted $35.00 to help me get it fixed. I asked them about getting updated software for the scanner and they said that since the scanner model is no longer in production, that any newer software is now no longer avalable. And also, they said that if the newer software WAS available, that it would cost me about $60 or so for it!!
That was the straw that broke the camel's back! Never again will I ever buy another HP product as long as I live!!! HP products only last only for a very short period of time before they need servicing, and it's always after the coverage ends!! You're stuck with a defective and obsolete HP product and you end up having to replace it too prematurely. And half the time, HP units come with outdated software that isn't compatible with Windows Vista! Enough is enough!!! I'm so done with them!!!!!!!!!
Why is a company still around that packs outdated and obsolete software with their products that can't even keep up with today's computer tecnology?! It's beyond me!!
INTRODUCING THE CANON CANONSCAN LiDE200 FLATBED SCANNER!
I looked at many flatbed scanners and had narrowed the choices between Epson and Canon (I have a printer by Epson that works fine). HP was DEFINITELY NOT going to be the next scanner coming home with me! I chose the Canon Canoscan LiDE200 Flatbed Scanner not only because of it's low price, but also for it styling, compact size, reliability and and versatility.
Even the box that it comes in looks kind of small. The unit is very stylish and futuristic looking! It's flatter, shorter and takes up far less space tham the HP model that I was using at first!! And it'a also very light in weight. the fact that this unit easily trounces over HP is very amazing!
WHAT ELSE?
After setting it up and loading the sotware disk into the computer's CD-ROM, I had trouble loading and installing the software, so I called Canon's toll-free number for tech support. The guy on the other end had walked me through getting the software loaded and installed. This took, I'd say, about a little over 30 minutes to complete.
After having succeeded in getting the software in, then the technician walked me through scaning a copy with the unit. That also, was a success! I'm in complete heaven now, knowing that I now have a much better scanner that works like a charm!!
How easy is this? Just select what you want to do with your original-scan, copy, or create e-mail attachments or PDF's and the entire process is automated! The new Auto Scan Mode helps detect your type of original, then scans and saves it with the original settings.
Your results will be outstanding, with color resolutions up to 4800 x 4800, and you can also create a fabulous 19200 x 19200 software-enhanced interpolated scans. Plus a letter-sized color scan takes only about 14 seconds!
FEATURES & CONSTRUCTUION:
1. Has 48 bit 4800 dpi resolution.
2. Letter-sized color scan takes only about 14 seconds.
3. Auto Scan Mode detects your type of original, then scans and saves it with the optimal settings.
4. Four EZ buttons for scanning in a snap.
5. Gutter-free scanning.
6. Only one (high-speed) USB cable is needed to connect the unit to your pc!
This is also for the electrical power supply as well. No more having to use a separate cord for the power supply! Less cable / wire clutter in the back of your home or laptop pc.
7. Upright scanning.
Comes with mounting stand that allows you to turn the unit sideways and use it for upright scanning!
8. Lock / unlock slide control on bottom of unit helps to protect the interior mechanism during transport.
9. Energy-Star compliant.
10. New Generation Green qualified! Means that the unit is environmentally conscious with the next generation in mind (http://www.usa.canon.com/green).
11. New Advanced Z-lid which allows easy scanning from books.
Lid has "floating" feature to accommodate books for easy scanning.
12. Full 1-year warranty on entire unit with instant-Exchange Program (I bought an extended warranty on it for an additional year).
13. Versatile Image Correction.
14. Can also be used for PDF's.
15. Advanced Slim design.
16. EZ Buttons are mounted on the front of unit for; Copy, Scan, PDF and E-mail.
17. Operates very quietly. Not noisily as with HP scanners!
THE TECHNICAL STUFF:
1. Interface:
High-speed USB.
2. Compatible with Windows Vista, XP, XP2, 2000 Professional, and Professional SP4.
3. Also compatible with Mac 05 X v.10.3.9,v.10.44, v.10.5.
4. Software:
MP Navigator EX and ArcSoft PhotoStudio (both for Windows XP and Mac OS X.
5. Supplied accessories in box:
A. Main unit.
B. USB Interface Cable.
C. Mounting Stand for upright use.
D. Setup CD-RPM and Printed Documents.
6. Made in Vietnam.
7. Bit Depth:
48-bit internal.
8. Dimensions:
8.9" (W) x 14.4 (D) x 1.6 (H).
9. Max Document Size:
8.5" x 11.7".
Weight:
3.6 lbs.
ANY SHORTCOMINGS AT ALL?
Software installation might require help from tech support through co's toll-free number.
MY OWN EXPERIENCE SO FAR;
So far, I really like this unit!
It's quick-responding, fast, reliable, compact and doesn't require a lot of room on your desktop. I love that the the unit has a very sophisticated and truly phenominal stylish silver-gray color design! Also, that it can be used as an upright unit, saving you even more space.
The resolution is great, and there's only one cable to connect - NOT 2 or 3 as with what the HP scanner has to use, which I'm so done with!! This one is much better than HP's unit will ever be!!
IN SHORT:
Never again will I ever put up with the hassles of a HP scanner again!! This one blows the competition away and puts HP to shame! Looks like the most modern piece of electronic equipment for your pc!
FINAL THOUGHT?
Yes!
if you're as sick and tired as I am of having to deal with HP scanners that just flatly refuse to deliver the goods because of outdated software that comes with their products, then THIS unit is the one to get!! You'll be much happier with this unit than with stuff that you might have used in the past, but don't want to use any more or spend money on because of extreme outdated or obsolete technology.
WHERE TO BUY THEM?
I bought this unit from a Staples store.
But you can get it just about anywhere from stores such as Best Buy, Micro Center and other places. it's also available online as well from some of the many websites that sell electronic / computer accessories and equipment.
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