Is there an inexpensive scanner which is compatible with Catalina OS?

Identify the scanner and features that you want to purchase, but before hand, see if the scanner is supported by the paid, non-subscription, 64-bit VueScan — without any vendor scanner drivers or support software. This now gives you vendor independence of driver support in the future when the vendor no longer supports the scanner. I continue to use VueScan Professional on a Canon scanner that has not been supported by Canon in over a decade.

A scanner vendor must support 64-bit drivers on Catalina, and you should confirm with the vendor that this is the case before a scanner purchase — unless VueScan supports the scanner without vendor drivers.

Hello yukon54,

Thanks for that info and for choosing the Apple Support Communities. If I understand correctly, you would like to get a scanner that is compatible with macOS Catalina. The good news is the Apple Online Store has a some devices being that can scan and are compatible with macOS Catalina so please see this link for more info:

Printers & Scanners - Mac Accessories - Apple

Cheers!

Are we certain that these devices work with Catalina? When I have looked at the support pages for the HP products in the Apple Store, it seems that they have problems. I'd feel more confident if someone has actually used something, or if the manufacturer or Apple explicitly said that something was supported.

Also most of the products in the Apple Store are a bit pricey because they are mostly all-in-one devices that can scan. I would ideally be looking for a flat bed scanner.

I appreciate the response, but I am looking for something more specific like model names and drivers. VueScan adds $50 to the cost of a scanner, but it is definitely worth considering given the very confusing state of scanner drivers for the mac. Alas VueScan doesn't have a 64 bit driver for my CanoScan LIDE 70, or didn't the last time I checked. Otherwise I would be scanning happily instead of checking community sites for clues.

I have to admit that I am a little concerned that this was not on Apple's radar for the 64bit conversion. The last time they changed how printers and scanners worked I remember them being more proactive.

Anyway, thanks for the response ... please post the particulars of your set up!

Oops... my reply to you as posted as a reply to yukon54. Could you post the details of your set up? I guess that is mostly your mac, OS version, and the scanner you are using with VueScan.