HP Scanjet 4890 Photo Scanner

HP Scanjet 4890 Photo Scanner

Scanjet 4890 Photo Scanner Review, by Richard Jantz October 5, 2005

Show More Show Less

0 Comments | 0 Topics | Print Only This Review

• Reviewed by: gigantopithecus

  Strengths: Speed, quality of scans, ability to scan 16 slides simultaneously.

  Weaknesses: Software.

  Overall: As others have commented, the software that comes with this scanner is relatively poor. It's somewhat counterintuitive & there seem to be many unnecessary steps from start to finish. I ended up downloading a freeware scanner software & have been using that instead.Otherwise, the scanner itself is quite nice. It's not too loud compared to other scanners I've used (two Canons, three other HPs), but it is quite fast. The ability to scan 16 slides at once is the primary reason I purchased this & it's served that purpose well. Colors are accurate. Haven't tried it with negatives so can't comment on the quality with those. Regular every day scanning of photos, documents, etc. is also very solid.

• Reviewed by: radiofud

  Strengths: Feels heavy duty with pleasing finish and blue power light. For most scans it is quick and the quality is acceptable.

  Weaknesses: Terrible software, Terrible software, and Terrible software! Unit failed after scanning about 900 negatives. In process of RMA. Image quality is average for scans.

  Overall: Over all I like the unit. I would try a different brand next time. The Software is a total pain to setup but once I got through the settings it is stable and reliable. But one thing to point out about scanning negatives is the inconsistency of the frame selection software. This scanner has a auto frame selection for negatives so it picks each picture off the negative and saves it as its own picture. At least there is a "scan again" option that sometimes gets it right. If you get it on sale, you made a good purchase. Cheers!

• Reviewed by: brunocerous

  Strengths: cost, nice silver finish, promised features

  Weaknesses: cost was completely wasted, none of the features work, horrible customer service, completely useless

  Overall: Based on price and the advertised features, I bought and attempted to install this scanner for use with a Mac (OS X 10.3.9) and it was downhill from there. Attempts to reinstall the software were fruitless. Customer service, while responsive, was completely useless, as they suggested reinstalling the software, then reinstalling software from scratch. None of it worked. I tried it on another Mac, then on a Windows PC, and for the 4 months I've owned it, I have been able to scan exactly ONE (1) transparency. Please stay away from this noisy, clunky and largely useless scanner with flawed software and customer service that doesn't know the first thing about Macs. I'd recommend a Canon or Epson printer, but please read the reviews first. This is a completely useless scanner that will cost far more in reinstalls and frustration than the money you'd spend buying a scanner that just works.

• Reviewed by: lizb2303

  Strengths: cost

  Weaknesses: everything else

  Overall: The hardware may be perfectly adequate, but the software and customer service are a disaster. I have rarely been as frustrated with any piece of equipment as I have this one. I spent untold hours on the phone and internet corresponding with service (HA!) reps in the US and India. Never got the same one twice. Those that promised to get back with me never did. Per instructions, I must have loaded and unloaded the software 100 times on my PC... I finally got prints to scan adequately by bypassing the HP software and using only my Photoshop program. I never did get slides and negatives to transfer in any acceptable form. HP claims that the scanner is also mac compatible, but I never got it to work at all with my new mac. I finally took the @##%! scanner to "Snappy Auctions" to sell on ebay, and bought a Canon Canoscan 9950F on the way home. Set up took 5 minutes and it works like a dream. I will only buy another HP product from Costco, where I can return it easily for a complete refund.

• Reviewed by: JoeVMeigs

  Strengths: The blue power ON light is very pleasing to the eye.

  Weaknesses: Image quality ~Very Difficult to use Software

  Overall: As a long time user and fan of Hewlett Packard products, I purchased the HP 4890 Scanjet with high hopes. After spending several frustrating hours trying to scan photographic negatives of various formats and also picture prints, the HP 4890 machine was put back into it's box and tossed into a closet where it's now been nearly forgotten. Found that the software provided with this scanner was confusing and overly complex. The HP 4890 gives a whole new meaning to the term "User un-friendly". Went back to using the faithful, though cheap quality, flatbed scanner that came free with one of the DELL computers. Figure eventually that the HP 4890 will meet the same fate as did a worthless Polaroid brand digital camera and be dumped into the trash. It should be noted that the modern day Hewlett Packard Corporation is so clueless and ignorant of it's own products, that the marketing department doesn't even know that the HP 4890 Scanjet scanner is equipped and set up to accept and scan many format sizes of photographic negatives. These included, 35mm, 6x6, 4X5" and others up to size 8x10". With the wide choice of negative format sizes offered for scanning, it really is too bad that the HP 4890 turned out to be basically a dysfunctional product. Still own a trusty HP Laserjet 4 plus printer purchased way back in year 1995. Did a light overhaul on that Laser printer two years ago and it again functions flawlessly. Due to the disappointing experience with the HP 4890 scanner, it is doubtful that I will be buying any more HP products.