what do i needto know about scanners?

[angelina]

I want to get a scanner to scan all my old photos - some go back to 19th century- so what do i look out for when buying one please.?
I have been on argos website and they have one for £33.89 its acutally a printer scanner all in one job but as i have a printer already i am not bothered about using it for printing but need a decent scanner.
do more dots per inch dpi mean its better for old photos? i have windows XP on my machine
thanks

[PeteW1959]

Avoid combined printer/scanners if you already have a printer, they are a 'jack of all trades, master of none'. You'll get much better quality from a standalone scanner.

Basically the higher the dpi the finer the detail you can scan. The age of the photo makes little difference.

[Rachel Scand]

and don't get one that bends your photos ~ also remember to look at the price of the ink cartridges

[angelina]

Pete and Rachel -thanks very much - thats most useful - will check out your suggestions
its a flatbed I am after and more dots to the inch that i can get

[All Usernames Gone]

Hi Angelina,

Check out the Epson Perfection V500 Photo Scanner (6400dpi). Not cheap, but pretty good reviews, especially in it's scanning of old faded photos. Amazon have cheapest price at the moment.