Excellent replacement for the V-600

This scanner is the "replacement" of the V-600, nearly 100 more sold (I paid my V-550 189 including VAT, photo shop) so if you need to pick one, get one!

I bought it to scan more than 100 old photos to retouch and I am delighted because the "dust" works pretty well.
Let it will ironing photoshop to clean the image but the scanner do the clearing not bad.

It is quite fast, very sober, simple to use and install: a CD is provided, simply install the software and update them. Really accessible to Mr everyone (I'm on iMac 27 "with Mountain Lion 10.8.5, updated).

I thought bulky but it is not that much. I have owned long ago a SNAP-SCAN TOUCH AGFA scanner which seems to me to this monstrous in comparison, especially when you see the evolution (and quality) that separates these two scanner. And it is a EPSON: imposes the construction, the finish is flawless and smells good manufacturing quality.

The front buttons (which can be customized via preferences scanner) are also very useful: you must scan a text document into a pdf? Nothing simpler: pressure on the pdf button and the scanner creates a PDF you in less than 40 seconds. Ditto for direct sending of a scan by email. very convenient.

The big news: it is a 2.0 scanner. It features a "Share", very fashionable lately, allowing you to scan a document and send it directly to your Dropbox, Facebook, Picassa, and other cloud services (existing or future). You just have to configure the functions via the software "Event Manager" on the CD with the scanner.

I have not tested with negative picture, but as soon as possible I will update this comment.

I hesitated between the Canon 9000F (MKII) and the EPSON Perfection V-550 Photo, as they are quite similar but after reading several tests / opinions, choosing EPSON was needed without too much difficulty. You will not regret it, do not listen to the commentary of a disgruntled buyer because it does not do an update.

The scanner is recognized by the system (System Preferences: printers and scanner) and used without the soft Epson. All functions are present, either from the Epson software, MAC system preferences, utility Tranfert D'pictures or even via Photoshop (CS6 in my case).

The only complaint I could make regarding the EPSON Scan software: I have the impression that has not changed for over 10 years. The interface is simple but really ugly, not at all to the taste of the day. It goes even worse when you're on Mac and that one is accustomed to software thoughtful, ergonomic, with great design, etc.
We feel that the app is made by Epson engineers, technicians. So yes, he does what he is asked but it really would be time to hire designers to redesign everything.

The USB 2.0 cable is relatively long. It's a detail but significant nonetheless.
You will find more information on the site of EPSON, more complete than on Amazon.

In short, I would have put it 5 stars but as perfection does not exist (even if the scanner name), I pull him because of Epson Scan software: really obsolete, even if it is full and works great.