Mary:
It is a wonderful problem to solve.  I collect lantern slides up to 4x3 and
have had excellent results using a consumer scanner with a built-in
transparency option.  Several manufacturers offer a scanner with the option
and are available at Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA and online.  Try
Microtek, Epson, Hewlett Packard, Umax.  Possibilities includes the
following:  (I don't have prices on all items, but each does have
transparancy capabilities.)

Hewlett Packard 7400Cse Flatbed Scanner  (Office Max, about $500)
Microtek ScanMaker 8700 Pro Design:   Transparencies up to 4x5 (42-bit, 2400
x 1200 dpi scanner)
Umax PowerLook 3000: (3048 True DPI)
(http://www.umax.com/professional/powerlook3000.html)
Umax 2100XL (http://www.umax.com/professional/powerlook2100xl.html)
 Epson PERFECTION 1650 PHOTO SCANNER 1600X3200 48BIT US ($207.00) Scans up
to 4x5 with adapter
http://www.us.buy.com/retail/computers/product.asp?sku=10309372&loc=216

When evaluating, look for true resolution or optical resolution numbers.
Some scanners interpolate to higher resolutions, but the more resolution it
has without interpolation, the better the end result.  The higher the "bit"
42bit, 48bit, the more shades of gray and color.

You may want to consider adding a DVD-RAM drive to your new computer.  You
will need lots of storage memory for the high resolution scans and will soon
run out of memory on your hard drive.  Of course, an inexpensive CDR/RW
drive can make use of blank CDs that often cost less than $.25 each.

Good luck,

John Grozik

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