I've got a Brother MFC-465 multi-function printer and I love it. It cost less than $100, the ink is cheap(ish), and it does everything. Plus, if you set it up right, you can just put a picture on the glass and push one button, it'll scan right to your computer. No messing with TWAIN software for every single picture.

Sorry, I have no experience with USB turntables.

You'd need more than just a cable to get your audio into your computer. Phonograph cartridge output would have to be matched to your input into the computer, and you'd also need some variety of analog-to-digital audio capture software. That's why the USB turntables are better...that's all worked out for you...unless you're one of those hi-fi fanatics, and then you wouldn't dream of going digital with your audio anyway. Hiss-and-pop reduction software may well be included, but if not, look for shareware to process the audio post-capture. Don't expect miracles in any case.

sent PM

Resolution is basically just "the higher the better". Also higher=better can apply to color, more bits are more colors readable (48bit, 96bit, etc...) As always, cost goes up with those numbers. PPM = Pages per minute, usually only applies to the printer end of it, and will be different for color vs b/w.

Plain old scanners are getting harder to locate, you might have better luck ordering one from teh intarwebs. It's possible you might have better luck at office supply stores as comparted to electronics retailers too. Finally, if you have any film you want to scan too, make sure the scanner has that capability (the backlit lid and film/slide adapter plates). Canon and Epson make decent scanners.

I've never used a USB turntable (most of our old vinyl was lost in fire). Check out www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/mp3/90a0/ I've heard a few good things, and it comes with hiss/pop removal software. I have used the Audacity software ( audacity.sf.net/ ) it comes with a bit and it seems to be fairly friendly. It's also semi famous in the FOSS world. The page claims you need iTunes to burn them to CD, which is free. There are probably thousands of ways to burn CDs from a pile of MP3s or WAVs though. To get it from MP3 to CD you have to convert the MP3 back to a WAV first, which can result in some quality loss. If you just rip the vinyl to WAV then WAV to CD you save a step and possibly some noise, at the expense of hard drive space.

HTH

Many photo shops are now offering excellent by th ebox prices for scanning of photos- you'll need to have them in order, same side up, and all of a size together, but it is a good deal.

And: if/when you do copy your records over, make sure you clean them properly just prior to the actual copy process. you can use dawn, or one of the cleaning products specifically for cleaning them. As for the scanner... I'm not gonna start making suggestions because I am totally bias towards Epson products (I do work here and their imaging products are the best out there). Pick something you like, that's all I will say.