Curvaceous. Slim-Fast. Scanner. Canon 1220U.
Written: Aug 03 '01
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Space Saving Design, Fast, Easy to Use.
Cons: None.
The Bottom Line: This scanner was designed to be both attractive and very functional -- which is unusual for a scanner.
|
|
|
| flak-attak's Full Review: Canon CanoScan N1220U Flatbed Scanner |
Like a 16-year old boy, I wondered if Mrs. Right would ever
come along. Sort of. Not really caring Who but kind of
looking them all over.....
Most were cumbersome.
Mentally slow.
Definitely overweight.
Some were huge.
Very few had modern curves.
Even less had attractive make-up.
Frankly, I had pretty much given up hope on ever picking
one up (either literally or figuratively speaking...), and I was
actually able to forget about my boyhood dreams....
Then the fateful day when I walked into Costco. (In an
instant, I remembered and the flame was rekindled.) There
standing near the front door was not One.... Not even a
Couple of them. There was an entire pallet, FULL of them.
So I walked on by. About twenty steps and then stopped,
turned 180 degrees and walked forty steps, trying not to
look in THAT direction. All the while knowing in my Knower
that I was going to walk out of the store in a few minutes,
arm and arm with my new sleek, slim, silver, can I say
it??...sexy... scanner.
(By now you're definitely thinking that I've been left alone in
the Alaskan wilderness far too long.)
And yes, for those of you who have chosen to keep reading,
I did "pick up" my first, my one and only scanner. In fact, it
just so happened to be the first item I chose that day -- and
the last that I paid for because I was debating until the last
second whether or not my wife would think that my $160
purchase was well spent or spent on a dry well.
One of the main reasons I bought this scanner was to finally
set up an online gallery of some of my best shots, which I
immediately set out to do. Only to be stopped dead in my
tracks because I hadn't read the fine print. The Canon
1220U and accompanying software work only with Windows
98 and newer.
Now you have to understand that my computer is ancient
(one week or older) and was purchased just before Windows
98 came out. Thus it had Windows 95 which lacked the
needed drivers, etc. etc. So I "got" Windows 98 -- ask me no
questions, I'll tell you no lies about "how" -- and loaded it
onto my computer. A definite downgrade, but we don't want
to go there.
So to make an excruciatingly short story even longer, I'll
conclude my introduction by letting you know three verifiable
facts in this most recent sage of mine. For starters, you'll be
happy to know that my website up and running thanks to my
new acquisition. Then of course, you must know that my
beautiful -- mooey (sp?) hermosa as my wife says -- sleek
metallic printer is the undisputed centerpiece atop my aging
file cabinet. Finally, I'm certain that you will be interested in
this piece of vital information -- my scanner actually works!!
and has given me nary a problem for the 1/40th of a decade
that I've owned it.
In one final yet transparent attempt at credibility, I will follow
my usual pattern and list the ten things I think I think about
the Canon1220U scanner and/or its accompanying software.
1. I think that I like the Z-lid capability (the lid stays flat even
for thick objects because the pivot mechanism will flex) of
this scanner, even though I haven't needed it yet. I'm told
that it's useful for scanning thick objects like people's heads
(ZZZZZZZ, AWWWWW, Gargle, Wheeze, ZZZZZZZ, you
know the Z-lid). I guess when you want a break from
scanning important things, you could practice with various
thick books or items for sale in ebay.
2. I think the above entry was way too long.
3. I think that deleting "stimon" from my memory and startup
files to make my computer run faster was a bad idea.
Afterwards I found out that Stimon wasn't a virus sent from
some dude in the Philippines who's a bit enamored with
Anna Kournikova. Stimon is a program that allows my
computer to communicate with the scanner.
4. I think the Slim-ness of this scanner is absolutely
fabulous. It's only 1" thick -- when it isn't Z-lidding. Of course
it's the regular size otherwise. Overall, the 1220U is about
the size of my leather folding portfolio pad, and it slips into
my computer case like it's supposed to be there.
5. I think the ArcSoft PhotoStudio 2000 is an excellent tool
for editing and storing photos. It greatly simplifies the
processes for all the standard editing tools such as
cropping, inserting text, image sizing, and touch-up. It also
has many powerful custom tools for shaping, layering, and
special effects.
6. I think I'd better explain the process for acquiring images
from this scanner. Regardless of the program into which you
wish to acquire an image from the scanner, the Photostudio
Previewer will always appear when you make the command
to acquire. On the right you will see several options of which
the following are the most important to choose;
- image size: e.g. an 8.5 X 11 paper or a 4 X 6 photo
- type of scan: e.g. black and white, enhanced text, color
photograph, etc.
- resolution of scan: e.g. 75dpi or 600 dpi
When you've chosen these, you can preview the image first
by clicking the Preview button. If you're happy, then hit Scan
to insert the image into your document or album.
7. I think the Canon name may be a little bit suspect only in
terms of longevity compared to HP or Lexmark. I say that
with tongue firmly planted in cheek because I now have a
Canon Scanner as well as my Canon BJC 85 printer. I've
been thrilled with the performance of both.
8. I think the Canon 1220U is the prettiest scanner I've ever
seen. By far.
9. I think the Canon 1220U is the fastest scanner I've ever
used.
10. I think I'm too tired to think anymore -- in case you
couldn't tell.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 160
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
flak-attak
|
|
Member: Sam Flack
Location: Copper Center, Alaska
Reviews written: 34
Trusted by: 23 members
About Me:
WORK HARDER! Millions on welfare depend on you....
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.