Hi, in regards to shared scanner, I have a refurbished Canon Canoscan #N650U that I got for 59 USD at Fry's. There is no seperate power cable, it uses the 5v off the USB connection for power. It is rated at the 600X1200 resolution.
The scanner works impeccably, you just plug in the USB connection to the computer and push the button on the scanner, and a small menu asks you if you want to save, copy or some other stuff. That is it, plug one USB cable in, and push the button, make one selection, and presto! you are done.
Of course, there is software to install on each puter you want to use it on, but it isn't too hard to do.
One of the best products I have seen in a while. And it works quietly too.
BTW, it is light and about 1" thick, in fact, I don't know why it isn't advertised as a portable scanner for use with a laptop with USB connection.
Good Luck, Take-Out.
The early bird gets the worm. The early worm gets the bird.<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Take_Out on 08/22/01 04:42 PM.</EM></FONT></P>