Computer stores must love people who don't know anything about computers. At least, they must love the money they can separate from technophobes. For example, think of the non-technical person looking for a flatbed scanner. Now-a-days, scanners are dirt cheap. The local CompUSA has several HPs for less than $100 USD (not that I'm advocating buying HP).
No, you aren't going to be doing super high quality work with any of the sub-$100 versions and no you aren't going to be doing it very quickly, but they do the job for most people. So salesmen must fall over themselves when a naive person comes walking in saying: "Sell me a scanner. No, I don't know anything about scanners. No, I don't know what kind of software I need. No, I don't know what kind of output file I need. Just sell me something because I know I need one."
So, of course they sell him or her the $450 model that can scan in TRILLIONS of colors. Surely, trillions of colors must be better than mere millions. Right? Surely 2,400 X 2,400 resolution must be better than lowly 1,400 X 1,400. Right? Surely one that can scan transparencies and film is better than one that can't right?
But what if all you will be scanning is a sheet of paper with a signature on it? What if all the receiver wants is confirmation that you got their document and have signed it?
In that case, who the *%^! cares whether it can scan in 48-bit color or at 2,400dpi? All of that is irrelevant BS to make people think they are getting value for their money. I don't know who to be more angry towards - the salesperson for taking advantage of people or the buyer for not knowing enough to ask the right questions.
