Product ReviewsScanners
The success of the iMac and the new Power Mac G3 has pushed the Mac peripheral market into overdrive. Since both machines lack the traditional SCSI and serial ports used by most external devices, manufacturers have been scrambling to bring out storage drives, printers and now scanners which connect to the new USB ports. Although not the first USB scanner to appear, the ScanMaker X6 is the first from Microtek, a company with a reputation for providing reliable and affordable scanners. Aside from its USB interface, the ScanMaker X6 is identical to its SCSI counterpart, which has been around for a few months. The latter replaced the ScanMaker 630 (see Reviews, Vol 14 No 19, p32) with a similar specification but a new design and much lower price. The new design - a slimline, two-tone grey affair - is more practical than stylish, although it's quite refreshing to see something which isn't translucent and blue. Unlike some other USB peripherals, everything you need is in the box, including the relevant cables and software. It is, however, worth noting that Microtek made some last minute changes to its software line-up, and while this is reflected in the packing list, the manuals haven't been amended. Adobe PhotoDeluxe 2.0 is now included for Mac users, replacing MicroFrontier's ColorIt!. The installation guide makes no mention of this change, so new users will probably be a little confused when they can't find the ColorIt! installer. Kai's Photo Soap, which used to come with Microtek scanners, is a standard part of the iMac's software bundle, and can be used in conjunction with the ScanMaker X6. The omission of a Mac version of Microtek's ScanSuite software is frustrating. This package is ideal for home users who want to use the scanner's default settings, and allows activation
In the absence of ScanSuite, the ScanMaker X6 is controlled using the ScanWizard plug-in, which can be accessed via any graphics application that supports Photoshop plug-ins or the TWAIN standard. Although ScanWizard's user interface is starting to look dated, it's a versatile, comprehensive tool. Along with standard options such as setting resolution, colour depth and the area to be scanned, ScanWizard has more advanced features such as colour balance adjustments, imaging filters, and a descreening option for eliminating the moire pattern which occurs when scanning printed materials. Once all the options are set, the ScanMaker X6 does its job remarkably quickly for a USB scanner. At resolutions up to 300dpi, it took less than 30 seconds to scan a 6in x 4in photograph. At the scanner's maximum optical resolution of 600dpi x 1200dpi, the same photo took only 90 seconds to scan, while a full A4 page took just over five minutes. The quality of the scanned images is also remarkable: colours reproduce very accurately (the ScanMaker X6 USB scans at a colour depth of 36 bits) and images are crisp and clear with no visible artefacts. The ScanMaker X6 offers results equivalent to some scanners which cost £400 more. It's not appropriate for prepress scans or other high-end uses, but it has enough speed and accuracy for a busy office and its quality will satisfy graphics professionals and Web designers. Some may prefer the sophisticated pre-scanning features provided by the optional SilverFast software from LaserSoft, but this is only available for the SCSI version of the scanner and forces the price up to £249. The low price and iMac compatibility of the ScanMaker X6 belie the fact that it's a mid-range machine, offering performance to rival competitors which are twice the price. Other USB scanners are clearly aimed at home users, but with the growing popularity of the new blue-and-white Power Mac G3, they're also in demand among high-end professionals. The ScanMaker X6 will appeal to users at both ends of the spectrum. By Mike Hirschkorn |
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