Hewlett-Packard ScanJet 5370Cse

WHAT'S HOT: Hewlett-Packard's ScanJet 5370Cse boasts 42-bit color processing and 1200-by-2400-dpi resolution. The 5370Cse's overall scan speed (including its speed on the 75-dpi color and 600-dpi gray-scale scans that aren't reported on our chart) was better than that of all other SOHO scanners except for the Epson Perfection 1200S. At the 5370Cse's maximum resolution, it offered 607-kilobyte-per-second throughput. The 5370Cse also features four buttons for scanning, copying, e-mailing, and faxing, in addition to a well-made transparency adapter with sturdy templates for scanning and enlarging 35mm slides and negatives.

WHAT'S NOT: In our subjective tests of scan quality, the 5370Cse's test images were lackluster under the scanner driver's default settings (which include automatic color adjustment). Colors looked light and undersaturated when compared with the original images; we had to make manual adjustments to produce scans with better color accuracy. The 5370Cse employs a hearty, 14-bit analog-to-digital converter to perform 42-bit scanning internally, but the bundled software lets you save images externally as 24-bit images only.

WHAT ELSE: The generous bundled software includes built-in optical character recognition, image editing (Corel Print Office 2000), document management (Caere PageKeeper Standard), and image management (Hemera GraphicsDesk) tools. The accommodating TWAIN driver (HP Precision Pro) includes step-by-step coaches (when needed) and a scan-to-Web option that automatically scans an image to a photo-publishing Web site of your choice. You can connect the scanner through the Universal Serial Bus port or the parallel port. A 25-page automatic document feeder is available as an add-on for $199. Live technical support is limited to the first 90 days after purchase.

BEST USE: The HP ScanJet 5370Cse is a fast scanner, with ample software that will please both novices and veteran users. Its high resolution and bundled transparency adapter make it a smart choice for scanning and enlarging 35mm slides.

SUMMARY

Hewlett-Packard ScanJet 5370Cse Parallel and USB, 1200 by 2400 dpi, 11.9 by 19.9 by 4.1 inches (width by depth by height), 10.7 pounds, 8.5-by-11.7-inch scanning area, included transparency adapter, optional automatic document feeder. One-year warranty; 90 days of free, toll-call support (16 hours on weekdays and 7 hours on Saturdays); thereafter, support charges are $2 per minute. $299 800/722-6538 www.scanjet.hp.com