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What should I consider when purchasing a (flatbed) scanner?

rated 0 times [ 2] [ 0] / answers: 1 / hits: 1729 / 1 Year ago, wed, march 15, 2023, 4:05:21

I'm considering purchasing a new USB flatbed scanner for my parents whose laptop is running Ubuntu (10.04 LTS - Lucid Lynx).

Doing a quick search around I found this thread over in the forums: Lightweight Scanner and it seems:

Generally I should check the SANE project to see if a specific scanner will work under Linux.

EPSON distributes its own Linux drivers by Avasys

HP seems to have good Linux support: hplip is already installed with Ubuntu (although for me here it seems that the version with Ubuntu 10.04 isn't the newest one and could need some fiddling when I buy a new HP printer)

What other factors need I take into account when buying a scanner for Ubuntu? Anything specific to some applications (GIMP, etc.)? Will the now-typical scanner buttons to directly scan a PDF document work on some printers and not on others? Etc.

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leddre

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answered 1 Year ago aslity · Accepted Answer

I have jet to find a scanner, that Ubuntu has no drivers for. Most scanners use a standardised USB interface similar to other hid devices such as keyboards, mice etc. If you want to be on the safe side choose a scanner mentioned in the SANE project's supported devices list.

As for applications: SANE handles scanners in Ubuntu. They all revert to SANE. You'll be fine.