>Honed down to Microtek ScanMaker 9600XL.<

Good choice. Yes. If you want to use the scanner with the PC you will need
to buy a SCSI card (first check to see if the PC bundle throws in an
inexpensive card-some do) As far as ordering one flavor or the other, the
MAC or PC bundles usually include software for one side OR the other. As
some companies are producing CDs for their installation software, they are
now including both flavors on one disc. But you might check ahead. If not,
ask the dealer if they will throw in an extra software package from the
other side. If the software for one flavor is omitted, all is not lost. The
major mfgs are posting upgrades to drivers on their web sites these days. A
visit to the Microtek site should clarify which if any drivers for that
particular scanner is available for download. Follow the links for
support/dowloads/drivers or some such variation.

Frank