Question 1

Is this a color scanner?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Beware though. The driver can only be installed on Windows Vista or XP machines.  Windows 7 and 8 are not compatible.

Question 2

I've noticed on this site and few others that some of the reviews state the scanner is not mac compatible, even though the descriptions says it is - has anyone been able to make this scanner interface with a Mac? I'm running OSX Mavericks

Accepted Answer

Hey Steve, I have been using this scanner on Windows 8 for about 3 months now. A quick search for Mustek A3 1200s Mac Drivers turned up this link: http://www.mustek.de/en/service-a-drivers-3/drivers-a-software/231-scanner/scanexpress/a3-usb-1200-pro/186-scanexpressa1200usb.html

Another thing to consider is it uses the basic TWAIN interface and a USB 2.0 cable... so, even a generic scanner driver should work.

Question 3

I need to scan 16x20 paintings.  I'm scanning them in two parts and stitch them together in Photoshop.  My current flatbed has a little lip around the glass that raises the painting off of the glass a bit near the front edge and makes it go out of focus.  Here's my question?  Is the Mustek flat all the way to the edge of the scanner?  or does it have a raised lip near the edge?  Thanks.

Accepted Answer

It is NOT flat.. It has the raised edge all around the glass, similar to a 1.5 inch frame around a picture.  The A3 is the size of the piece of paper it can scan.. 11.7 x 16.5 in, like a single page of an old Life magazine.

Question 4

Does anyone know how to make it function with Apple OSX Maverick?

Accepted Answer

It works fine on Mac 10.9.4. I use image acquire and the scanner interface comes up and I can scan. It's  a simple interface and you can't use the full scanner interface software because they haven't written it yet

Question 5

Is this scanner compatible with windows 8.1?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 6

Will this work with Windows 10?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but I recommend downloading the latest version of the software from the Mustek support site. Make sure you install the software as an administrator, or the installation will not install all the components fully.

Question 7

Does this printer scan 35mm and negatives? Can it enlarge those formats into larger size like 4x6

Accepted Answer

Short answer: no, not out of the box.

I'm sure it has the capabilities, but it doesn't come with a 35mm adapter. Most flatbed scanners that say they also scan 35mm slides and negatives will come with an adapter (something that will hold and backlight the slides or negatives). There are a few do-it-yourself sites online that have instructions for making your own adapter.

As for enlargement, that would be a software process. This scanner can scan at a respectable resolution (1200 dpi), so if you do scan something at a high resolution, a good image manipulation program (The GIMP is free and very powerful) will help you re-size it as you like.

Question 8

I am using Mac OSX and am having problems with this scanner.
At first it worked fine but now it keeps telling me that the scanner is not attached and check the cable. The cable IS attached.
What can be done to fix this?

Accepted Answer

Not a Mac person but I Had a similar Issue -- did the following:
1 - Try turning on the scanner first and then the Mac computer on!
2 - If you have another USB port try correcting to it!  
3 - Try un-installing the scanner software & re-installing the software & scanner from scratch as if it were a brand new initial install!
4 - Check Mustek to see if you have the correct drivers/patches.
5 - Are your computer & scanner USB ports both 2.0??

Question 9

Is this compatible with Ubuntu?

Accepted Answer

There are a few hoops to jump through, but it should be possible. A lot of the information online is a little outdated, but the Ubuntu forums are pretty active if you need help. I can't include a direct link, but visit ubuntuforums dot org and search "mustek 1200s" for a few walkthroughs.

Question 10

replacement ink?

Accepted Answer

Scanners don't use ink, only printers or multiuse printers/scanners/faxes.

Questions & Answers