Linux Format forums

JohanM · Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 5:35 pm Post subject: How to pick a flatbed scanner?

Linux (and Mac OS X for that matter) have been a wonderful experience since I made the switch from Windows, except when it comes to peripherals. It is difficult to make the right choice. I had little need of a scanner the past couple of years, that is until now.

I want to scan important personal documents (to have backups), 35 mm slides and photo negatives. This means I do not want the software to just support some basic features (like it sometimes does on Linux), but everything the scanner has to offer, just like it would on Windows. How to pick the right flatbed scanner? As an example for what I want to do with it and the price I am willing the pay for it, the HP Scanjet G3110 looks okay. Price is little over €100 (up to 140$).

Can you give me some advice? I use Ubuntu.

nelz · Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 5:52 pm Post subject:

The place to look is http://www.sane-project.org - the home of the Linux scanner drivers. Support for the HP model you mention is described as "Basic", look for something with the specs you need that has complete support.
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johnhudson · LXF regular Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:37 pm Posts: 767

The current versions of hplip come with all the software you need; the only thing I am missing from my (very cheap) HP printer/scanner/copier is a slide holder.

So select an HP scanner with the hardware features you need and you will find the software waiting for you.

N.B When I bought the device seven years ago, these features were not available in hplip; they have been added since and greatly extended what I can do with the device.

JohanM · Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 8:46 pm Post subject:

Will have to expand my search. The scanners on sale at 2 webshops I previously used don't go beyond basic support by SANE.

Rhakios · Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 9:54 pm Post subject:

If you don't mind coughing up some money, then using Hamrick's Vuescan expands the range of scanners that are supported, together with a very feature rich interface. I quite like the fact that the license allows you to install the software on up to four computers, so it's a bit less like being in a straight-jacket.
I seem to recall that it also got a decent write-up in the magazine.
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ajgreeny · Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 10:35 pm Post subject:

johnhudson · LXF regular Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:37 pm Posts: 767