Even though there are specific criteria for differentiating one desktop scanner from another, there are times when the best scanner isn't the best value. Why? Scanners are only hardware, after all, and part of their functionality depends upon the software that the manufacturer chooses to bundle with each unit. There are generally three kinds of software to look for when shopping for a scanner, each of which plays an important role in the scanning process:
While not all manufacturers offer a complete bundle of driver, calibration, and application software, the best scanner values tend to come complete with all three. We offer some suggestions on what to look for in each of these categories.
