Canon CanoScan N1220U Scanner

Hi folks This is my first scanner, and I found it excellent in every way. First, the installation was very fast and easy. I have Windows Me, and unlike some others have suggested, it loaded successfully on the first attempt. There are different installation instructions for Me than there are for older versions -- make sure you follow the right set.

Jumping right in and scanning right away was absolutely easy. Use is very intuitive. Both the scanner's software and then the photo editing software open themselves up at the appropriate times. The photo editing software is PhotoStudio, which works a lot like Adobe PhotoShop. PhotoShop is ALSO included, by the way, but I find PhotoStudio totally sufficient for my needs.

Another feature that I LOVE is that the scanner requires NO POWER SOURCE OF ITS OWN! If you are like me, you will welcome the fact that there is but one cord coming out of this scanner -- the USB cord which runs for the scanner to your PC. This makes for a tidier desk, and also I personally have no spare space in my power strip.

The quality of the scans is wonderful. I am not an expert on the subject, but the scans look just as good as those I've made on scanners at Kinko's.

I highly recommend this unit. Wonderful in every way.

Functionally, the scanner is mind-bogglingly simple to operate. The software is completely intuitive and activates itself when you hit the start button on the scanner. Once you have scanned your image, the PhotoShop clone software opens itself and your editing can begin. This software, PhotoStudio, is very easy to use at a beginner's level. If you've used Adobe PhotoShop (which software is ALSO INCLUDED with the scanner!), you will find PhotoStudio very simple to use.

Probably my favorite feature is that the scanner DOES NOT REQUIRE ITS OWN POWER SOURCE! If you're like me, you already have your fair share of power cords strung all over your desk, and your power strip probably already has a "no vacancy" sign hung on its door. The scanner has just one cord - the USB cord that runs from the scanner to your PC.

I love this machine. Its output is high quality, it is amazingly easy to use, it is very affordable, and it isn't a space hog either in terms of the unit itself or cord-wise. A definite A+++++ in my book.

It took me all of 10 minutes to hook this scanner to my Mac and install all the software. I really appreciate the lack of a power cord and the slim sleek design. An included clip lets you stand the scanner on its side, so it takes up essentially no desk space. You can even scan in that position. The software has worked flawlessly and the choices of image editing software allows you to do pretty much whatever you want to the scans. I just tested the OCR software, and it too worked quite well, making only a few mistakes, primarily mistaking numbers for letters.

I just got this scanner a few hours ago and have scanned several images since I got it out of the box. I just had to stop scanning and write a review.

First of all, I was surprised when I saw the box, the box which the Canon N1220U arrived in is smaller then the Canon scanner I replaced. The only reason I replaced the other Canon scanner is because I purchased a new computer and the older scanner wouldn't connect to my new computer. This scanner is small, hardly no larger than the scanning area (8.5" x 11.7"). It is also thin (about an inch and a quarter high) and looks quite nice next to the new G4 PowerMac. It really makes the older scanner look like a dinosaur and the older scanner is just a little more than a year old.

Secondly, this scanner was so easy to set up, it virtually did it itself. All I had to do was to plug in the USB cable while the computer was on, there is no power cord to plug in, the power is actually supplied by the USB cable. Then I had to insert the CD which contained the set up software and click a few buttons, that was it.

I was off and scanning in no time, maybe ten minutes tops. The first scan took a little extra time because the scanner had to calibrate itself, but it only does this once and you can re-calibrate the scanner anytime you want to. The scanner is quite fast, faster than the one I replaced.

The software supplied to operate the scanner is fairly easy to use and understand. The scans turn out great, better than the original image it seems. I did have to adjust the way I place the image on the flatbed, the image should be placed upside down not rightside up. My first scan came out upside down.

To sum up, the scanner looks great, doesn't take up much space on the desk, doesn't add to my power cord clutter behind my desk, it is pretty fast, easy to set up and use, and comes with useful third party software: PhotoShop 5.0 LE ( I use this program often), ArcSoft Photo Studio, ArcSoft PhotoBase, and ScanSoft Omni Page.

I would recommend this scanner, even to my best friends.

This is a great scanner. I had it out of the box and was using it in under 10 minutes. Great scans - my mom (who is not very technical) finds it easy to use and is scanning in old pictures; the scans are highly detailed - to the point you can't tell the difference between the actual picture and the scan. Scanner has some real advantages - one cable for both USB and power. The scanner can also be mounted vertically, which saves more space (it takes up little space to begin with). Works great with MicroSoft ME.