Scanning power to spare - HP ScanJet 3c and ScanJet 3p flatbed scanners - Hardware Review - Evaluation

Home Office Computing, August, 1995 by Jonathan Karl Matzkin

ScanJet 3c

Rating: ****

List/Avg. Street Price: $1,179/$999

WIN / MAC

ScanJet 3p

Rating: ***

List/Avg. Street Price: $399/$329

Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard, 208-396-2551,

800-SCANJET

WIN / MAC

Unlike the sheet-fed scanners reviewed in this issue (see "Please Feed Me!"), Hewlett-Packard's ScanJet 3c flatbed desktop scanner shines with high-end graphics capabilities and displays its versatility as a replacement for standalone fax machines and personal photocopiers.

With its 600dpi optical resolution (2,400dpi interpolated) and 30-bit internal maximum color depth, the ScanJet 3c can tackle a variety of sophisticated color and grayscale scanning chores, including generating files that will take full advantage of high-end service bureau output devices.

The Windows version ships with Corel's Photo-Paint image editor, and the Mac product comes with Adobe Photoshop Limited Edition. In addition, the 3c features an updated version of HP's DeskScan II scanning package, which installs easily, allows considerable control over scanning parameters, and integrates smoothly with TWAIN-compatible applications.

You also get Caere's WordScan 3.1 (version 3.0 for the Mac) for optical character recognition (OCR). HP's copier utility provides convenience copying on the 3c--in full color--with the click of a mouse.

Graphic arts professionals will appreciate the optional adapter ($759), which handles transparencies and 35mm slides. An optional automatic document feeder, which you can use for multipage documents, will set you back $559.

People who don't need the 3c's high-end color-scanning capabilities can opt for HP's ScanJet 3p, a grayscale unit with a 300dpi maximum resolution. Its scanning package integrates scanning, image placement, and image editing under a single interface, though it emphasizes ease of use at the expense of some of DeskScan II's more sophisticated capabilities. The 3p is suitable for moderate scanning needs as well as document management, faxing, and convenience copying via the included copier utility.

The ScanJet 3c and 3p neatly define the high end and midrange of the personal scanning market. If you need major color-scanning horsepower and can spend the money, go for the 3c. If you have modest scanning needs, however, and you want to replace both your fax machine and your personal copier, the less pricey 3p should work well for you.

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