iso scanner

[zimv20]

any recommendations for an OSX-compatible scanner? something like this Canon but isn't the software nightmare that it seems to be:

https://www.amazon.ca/Canon-CanoScan-LiDE300-Document-Scanner/dp/B07GPS67TD

requirements:

- works w/ OSX 10.11.6 El Cap (will be attached to an MBA w/ USB ports)
- ease of use
- good quality scans
- standalone, not looking for an all-in-one sol'n
- black & white sufficient (if that's even an option anymore)
- no set budget; i don't mind paying for something quality but still like good value

this is for my wife; she's been using her ipad to take photos, upload to dropbox, etc etc but she's tired of this way of working.

are there any models or even brands which are generally regarded here as good and easy to use? or heck, if people have had good luck getting that above Canon to work w/ OSX, that would work for me as well.

 

[Awimoway]

Did you ever find an acceptable solution? I can’t find a photo scanner that doesn’t have negative reviews from Mac users. My Macs are running on Big Sur.

 

[InuNacho]

Did you ever find an acceptable solution? I can’t find a photo scanner that doesn’t have negative reviews from Mac users. My Macs are running on Big Sur.

Use any scanner with VueScan. Its a bit pricey but the software works with almost every scanner ever made.
Note that it won't have all the bells and whistles of specialized software like Silverfast.

 

[zimv20]

sorry, we found nothing suitable.

but i did pick up an Epson v600 for scanning photos. that works decently enough, even if they don't keep their s/w up to date and it doesn't work w/ the later OSX's.

 

[InuNacho]

Yes, if I recall the older Epson Scan for scanners like the 4990 isn't compatible with anything beyond Mojave due to it relying on 32-bit drivers.
The newer version which should be compatible with the V600 is. A friend who runs a photo lab at a local community college asking for help about Epson Scan and the new Macs they had just gotten for their lab.

Epson Scan is actually better than VueScan for scanning. Silverfast will get the most from the scanner but it is very pricey.

 

[Awimoway]

I went ahead and got a Canon LiDE 400. Setup was a snap. No problems at all. This was with a 2017 iMac and a 2019 Intel MacBook Pro, both running Big Sur.

Installed the software from Canon's website (even though it said it was only compatible up to Catalina) and it just works, with their software and with macos's Printers and Scanners.

I was putting off setup because I thought it might be a headache, and I was prepared to shell out for VueScan, but what a waste of sweat that was. Reviews for the LiDE from Mac users were quite mixed: some gave up, others had only a little trouble with setup, but I had none.