Peripherals Focus: Primax unveils easy scanners

Primax will launch a range of flatbed scanners in April which, it claims, are the most consumer-friendly yet.

The products will be sold initially through Dixons and Makro. But Primax won?t be supplying independent retailers, usually seen as the first option for introducing new technologies.

?Scanners have a reputation for being difficult to use, but these are very easy,? said Anthony Yeates, Primax UK general manager. ?You put the photo on the glass, press the button and the picture is scanned into whatever application is open. The multiple retailers haven?t been the best place for new technology, but these machines require very little technical knowledge to demonstrate and sell.?

Scanners are tipped to be the hot consumer PC accessory this year for building digital photo libraries on home machines.

Yeates says he is also talking to leisure software outlets Electronics Boutique and Game.

Ingram Micro has struck an exclusive distribution agreement with Primax to carry the range into Virgin Megastores, Costco and department stores, such as John Lewis and Allders. A second phase of the roll-out will take it to Byte at the end of May.

Primax will run a limited advertising campaign in the PC press and will provide POS demo units and training for participating retailers.

The range includes 300 and 600dpi models and prices start at #240. Scans can be imported straight into an open document or the scanner can be programmed to open an application. Colour and contrast correction is automatic.