Hewlett Packard Scanjet 4370 Flatbed Photo Scanner Review

Hewlett-Packard has presented a very affordable option to the public with their HP Scanjet 4370 Photo Scanner. A flatbed scanner that will sit comfortably on the desk top, it is capable of scanning printed text, pictures, or photographic negatives. The size of the device is about 18.5 inches long by about 11.7 inches wide, so it will take up a little space, but the trade-off is that it is very easy to use.

Right out of the box, it is simple to set up the scanner using the step-by-step instructions on the setup poster from the box. After installing the HP Image Zone Software (Included with scanner), you will have the ability to perform scans using both an icon on the desktop and front panel buttons on the scanner itself. These four buttons allow the user to scan documents, scan film, copy documents, or scan-to-share with a simple press of that front panel. This gives you a quick option, but it is always recommended to use the HP Solution Center (through the icon), because that gives you more control over the scan.

Rather than jumping straight into the scanning process, you are able to show a preview of your document or photograph to decide if you have the angle set up correctly, or to see if you like how it was placed on the glass. To scan 35 mm slides or negatives, they also provide a little holder inside the lid where you can have them held in place for an easier scan. The whole process of completing the scans are quite easy, and the processes are outlined in the user's manual.

Though the scanner has multiple functions and is easy to use, it is frustrating at times because the lamp is slow to warm-up. It also takes a longer time to scan a photograph or negative than just text, and that wait can really slow down your use. The HP Scanjet 4370 is an affordable option, but it comes with the give-and-take of being very slow to operate.

The Specs:

My Final ViewPoint:

The HP Scanjet 4370 is a very inexpensive option in the market, but with that affordability comes the downside of it being slow to both warm-up or scan photographs. For normal text scans this scanner could suffice for most users, but that puts it in a niche in regards to what the device can do for its purchaser. It can be very easy to set-up and use by nearly everyone, but its slowness will try the patience of anyone that wants quick satisfaction.