Click here to see the index of Craig's columns.

SCANNERS MAKE A GREAT STOCKING STUFFER

Granted a flat bed scanner will stretch out even the biggest stocking but nonetheless a scanner makes a great holiday gift for the technology buff in your life. And the new models from Microtek won't stretch your wallet. But don't let the low prices fool you. These scanners do far more than the multi-thousand dollar models did only a few years ago and they do all of it a lot better.

Microtek's two latest models are the 3800 ($89) and 4800 ($99.99) with their new EDGE design making them about 25 percent smaller than their predecessors. The difference between the two models is that the 3800 offers a 1200 x 600 and the 4800 offers a higher quality 2400 x 1200 dpi native optical resolution. Both use USB, work with Windows including XP, and are also compatible with the Macintosh. They come loaded with software as well. The ScanWizard 5 software is developed by Microtek itself and takes advantage of their special abilities including the five front panel buttons. There's a button for email, copy, scan-to-web, OCR and faxing. Initially, ScanWizard first checks your hard drive for all installed applications and then lets you assign which ones you wish to use to perform an operation. For example, pressing the email button performs a scan and then launches whatever email program you use and attaches the scanned image to the email you are about to send.

Anyone who has tried to scan in a magazine photo will know that it's not the same as scanning a photograph. Microtek's scanners can automatically detect the type of surface a document has and adjusts its parameters to capture the best possible image. The depth of field on the scanners is exceptional in that you can scan 3D items such as an open book. Tossing some jelly beans on the glass produced a perfectly captured image as well. And although the scanner's lid is hinged in such a way that it can accommodate bulky objects, the enhanced 48 bit ability of these newest models is able to filter out ambient light so you can perform a scan even without lowering the lid. For those of you who wish to scan 35 mm slides and filmstrips, the included LightLid 35 adapter lets you scan those as well for quality first generation images.

Included is the new Abbyy Finereader OCR program that lets you transcribe printed documents to a word processor. Also in the box is Adobe PhotoDeluxe, PhotoShop LE and Ulead PhotoExplorer.

www.microtekusa.com

Take your laptop off your laptop

If you're tired of keeping your laptop on your laptop, a portable computer stand just might be the ticket. Most laptop stands I've seen still require you to place your portable computer on your knees. The QuickStand breaks tradition by offering a tripod desktop that telescopes from 14 to 31 inches tall. Yet it folds down to a mere foot, weighs only 22 ounces and could be easily mistaken for a small umbrella. The included leatherette carrying case includes a cable manager strap should you choose to keep your portable plugged in. The black anodized nonskid aluminum tray that holds the computer can easily fit onto a briefcase. Aside from its appearance, you'll find the QuickStand to be surprisingly stable. $129.

www.lizell.com (800) 718-8808