HP ScanJet 5300Cse Flatbed Scanner

Description

The HP ScanJet 5300C series color scanner scan at optical resolutions up to 1200 dpi (9600 enhanced) and have all the utilities you need to create professional-looking documents easily. Touch-button operation simplifies tasks, with one-step access to scan, copy, e-mail, and fax. Up-to-the minute technology helps cut task time - simply push a button to start scanning to your e-mail or Web application. The HP ScanJet 5300C series offer more performance, and is easier to use, than any comparably-priced 1200 dpi scanner.The HP ScanJet 5300C series color scanner is built around HP's Intelligent Scanning Technology. Think of it as a toolbox with everything you need to integrate text and graphics for superior results every time - with up to 1200 dpi optical resolution. Just choose which function is right for your document. For example, you can click on a photo, text, or drawing and change its size or type. Improve the look of reports, proposals, or newsletters with the included image editor. You can even cut keyboard time with OCR (Optical Character Recognition). This function converts hard copy documents into electronic files, which you can then edit. Add multi-page attachments to email or faxes. If you like, you can scan 35mm slides with ease for added versatility using an optional adapter. Or add an optional automatic document feeder or transparency adapter to extend the capabilities of your HP ScanJet 5300C "imaging and document center."

Hewlett-Packard's ScanJet 5300Cse is a basic scanner that more than adequately fills an impressive range of needs. The accompanying software CD-ROM also includes three especially helpful programs--the Boomerang Internet Design Shop, Adobe PhotoDeluxe, and the Hemera Photo-Objects Gallery--along with the well-designed scanner driver and other extras.

Setting up the scanner itself was a breeze. We installed and loaded the software in about 25 minutes. Then, we hot-plugged the scanner (kept the computer on while connecting the scanner) into our PC's USB port. In fact, we recommend that you keep your PC on, as the scanner driver software displays short video snippets that clearly demonstrate how to perform each step. On our computer screen, we watched actual human hands setting up an actual scanner.

The ScanJet's oversized quick-installation poster was cumbersome for us to unfold and follow. Also, there is no printed user's guide, so if you have questions, you'll have to consult the extensive electronic version on the CD-ROM.

In our tests of the 5300Cse, we scanned documents into text. The scanner was also quick enough that we could use it simply as a copier and could send an image directly to our printer. With a simple click, you can attach images to e-mail or send them via fax.

Hewlett- Packard makes other models similar to the ScanJet 5300Cse, some complete with an automatic sheet feeder and some with a transparency adapter, but what we found compelling about the 5300Cse is its simplicity. This scanner is a good, solid flatbed model, unencumbered with gadgetry that may not be applicable to many users' needs. With its 1,200 dpi resolution, the 5300Cse does a beautiful job of scanning text and photographs and making copies--the tasks we think you'll care about most. --David Greenberger

Pros:

• Dependable, fast, slim design

Cons:

• Cumbersome oversized setup instruction sheet

Turn your desktop into an imaging and document center with Hewlett-Packard's 5300Cse ScanJet scanner. This 36-bit flatbed color scanner scans at an optical resolutions up to 1,200 dpi, 9,600 dpi enhanced, and has the utilities you need to create professional-looking documents at home.

The HP ScanJet 5300Cse color scanner is built around HP's Intelligent Scanning Technology, which automatically identifies and optimizes text, line art, and color images. It also sets the correct resolution, bit depth, and file format for each element on the page. Touch-button operation simplifies tasks, providing one-step access to scan, copy, e-mail, and fax functions.

The HP 5300Cse scans directly into your applications--you can even add a multipage document as a single attachment. Simply click on a photo, text, or drawing and change its size or type. Improve the look of reports, proposals, or newsletters with the included image editor. Scanned images are optimized for the Internet, and multiple file formats are supported for use on the Web, allowing you to communicate using e-mail and Web pages with Web-creation and e-mail applications.

Optical character recognition converts hard-copy documents into electronic, ready-to-edit files. The HP 5300Cse scans color documents in less than 50 seconds and handles black-and-white files in under 40 seconds. The maximum scan size is 8.5 by 11.7 inches. The HP 5300Cse has USB and parallel connectivity. It is covered by a one-year limited warranty.