Max. scan area
The maximum image size that the scanner can process at one time, both horizontally and vertically. You should pay attention to this parameter if you need the exact dimensions of the scanner's working area, down to a millimetre: although standard formats are used to designate these dimensions (see "Format"), in fact the dimensions may differ from them.
Colour depth (ext.)
External colour depth characterizes the maximum possible number of colour shades in the image transmitted by the scanner to the computer. A depth of 24 bits is considered quite enough for non-professional tasks, in more advanced models this parameter can reach 96 bits. For details on colour depths and their relationship, see "Colour Depth (Int.)"
Shades of grey
The number of shades of grey that the scanner recognizes. You should pay attention to this parameter if you plan to actively work with complex black-and-white materials (for example, photographs) — the more shades, the higher the quality of the digitized image. To date, the average is considered to be 512 shades — this approximately corresponds to the capabilities of the human eye. Models with a lower indicator belong to the entry level, more advanced ones “understand” 1024 shades.
Operating cycle
The maximum number of pages that the scanner can process per day without overloading and the negative consequences associated with them. Most often indicated for A4 format. Even the most modest models of modern scanners have duty cycles measured in dozens of pages, which is quite enough for simple everyday tasks. Therefore, you should pay attention to this parameter if you have to scan numerous materials every day.
LCD screen
The scanner has its own
display. Such displays can vary from simple indicators that display a minimum of service information (selected mode, work process, some errors, etc.) to full-colour touch screens that significantly expand the capabilities of the device. Anyway, the display makes the operation of the scanner more convenient and intuitive.
Noise level
The maximum noise level produced by the scanner during operation. Theoretically, the lower this parameter, the more comfortable the use of the device, however, the vast majority of scanners have a noise level much lower than the general sound background in a small office (this background is 40-50 dB). Therefore, it is worth paying special attention to the noise level if you plan to use the device at home at a later time, or in other environments where even a slight noise may be undesirable.
Power consumption
The maximum power consumed by the scanner during operation. The higher the power, the more energy the scanner consumes, but this only applies to the scanning process itself — in standby mode, power consumption is negligible. And even at the peak in most models, the power is so low that in fact this parameter has practically no effect on electricity bills and is more of an auxiliary value (for example, it is used to calculate the total power of devices connected to an uninterruptible power supply).
