Microtek ScanMaker 3600 USB Flatbed Scanner (PC/Mac)

I'm torn on this product.

It has very nice software bundled in. It does scan nice images.

However, the lamp burned out less than 90 days after purchase. I sent it back to Microtek at my cost, they replaced lamp and it burned out again...just outside the one year mark.

Not worth the headache. and Microtek's RMA ... for this product. I had a cheaper scanner that lasted much longer.

This product should have last at least two years before the lamp went out...if not longer.

Don't waste your money on this company, if this represents their quality control.

I'm on my second 3600. The first one scanned perfectly and then one day the bulb dimmed. I took the scanner apart only to discover the bulb was not replacable. This is a disposable scanner but for the money it provided amazingly terrific scans. I returned the scanner and got a new one that has been working ok since but the color balance is not the same. Scans tend to be a little on the yellow side but fixable in PhotoShop or PhotoPaint. My suggestion is to turn it off when not in use. Like some scanners, this one does not turn off automatically like my older piece of junk Mustek scanner.

This scanner was hooked up to my Windows 98 system previously and I had no complaints. I recently had to move it to a Windows 2000 system however and things have changed.

I had to download a new software version to support Windows 2000. The new software version 5.12 includes a check at startup for a "Go Button". This scanner does not even have a "Go Button". So basically you have to keep the scanner powered on day and night or be forced close an error message everytime you restart or turn on your computer. Very annoying. Unlike the previous software versions, there is no way to disable this startup function.

Keep shopping.

This scanner was hooked up to my Windows 98 system previously and I had no complaints. I recently had to move it to a Windows 2000 system however and things have changed.

I had to download a new software version to support Windows 2000. The new software version 5.12 includes a check at startup for a "Go Button". This scanner does not even have a "Go Button". So basically you have to keep the scanner powered on day and night or be forced close an error message everytime you restart or turn on your computer. Very annoying. Unlike the previous software versions, there is no way to disable this startup function.

Keep shopping.

i bought this scanner about a month ago it worked fine for two weeks. then after that my computer wouldnt reconize the scanner. i tried to find help online (microtek website). i could not find any others with this problem. i wasnt calling a 900#. so back to the store it goes. i'll pay the extra cash for a better scanner next time.