HP ScanJet 6350Cse Professional Series Color Scanner (C7674A)

Looking for a good basic scanner for home or small office use? The Hewlett-Packard ScanJet 6350Cse professional scanner is a strong performer and is easy to set up, so you will be scanning in no time.

The ScanJet 6350Cse is a solid basic scanner that more than adequately fills a useful range of needs. Setup and installation were quick, easy, and intuitive. The oversized quick installation poster was easy to read and simple to follow. If you want additional assistance, you will need to check the coach feature (part of the extensive online help system) or other online help, since the 6350Cse doesn't include a printed user's guide. You can also use the internal coach to help scan your work after a quick but thorough tutorial. (It took us only 10 minutes to run through all the steps.)

In our tests, the scanner required a warm-up time of just under a minute and a half. After warm-up, we quickly reproduced flat images and slides using several different preset dpi settings. The scanner also has an automatic feeder for scanning multiple flat documents or images, which we found particularly useful. With the feeder attached, the scanner can handle up to five scans per minute. The slide adapter is a bit cumbersome, with too much leeway in the placement of the slide, but it produces vivid scans.

This is a fairly effortless scanner that can meet a wide range of needs. Whether paired with an ink-jet or laser printer, you will get crisp, clear scanned images. You can also fax scans or attach them to an e-mail with the click of a button. --David Greenberger

Pros:

Fast, easy setup
Can handle a full range of originals

Cons:

Slide adapter is cumbersome

The ScanJet 6350Cse is a 36-bit color flatbed scanner that offers dual SCSI and universal serial bus (USB) connectivity. This unit features a Hewlett-Packard exclusive feature that allows you to scan photos, logos, line art, and text independently at optimal settings in a single step, yet it lets you preserve page format when you want to scan a whole document. The Hewlett-Packard ScanJet 6350Cse is capable of scan speeds as fast as nine seconds, 1,200 dpi optical resolution, and virtually unlimited enhanced resolution up to 999,999 dpi. The unit features a 25-page automatic document feeder, which will accept documents as large as 8.5 by 11.7 inches.

Using this scanner's friendly interface, you can file, fax, copy, and e-mail documents by simply touching one of five front-panel buttons. The Hewlett-Packard ScanJet 6350Cse streamlines scanning processes and eliminates all the intermediate steps that usually slow users down. HP Intelligent Scanning Technology automatically sends your scan to the selected application for immediate results and automatically selects the right file format, file size, and resolution for the application.

By using a local area network line, all members of your workgroup can share one scanner. You select whether you want to connect using standard USB (Windows 98 required) or SCSI connectivity. The Hewlett-Packard ScanJet 6350Cse features document management, image editing, and Internet faxing. The accompanying software bundle includes HP PrecisionScan Pro with integrated OCR, HP PrecisionScan LAN for network sharing, HP ScanJet Copy Utility, Caere PageKeeper, Standard 3.0 document management, Adobe PhotoDeluxe Business Edition 1.1 image editor, WebShop Designer 5.0 e-commerce and Web site creation, and Hemera NetGraphics Optimizer2. This scanner also comes with a 35mm slide adapter, a transparency adapter, and a one-year hardware warranty.

1 Not worthy of the HP name
This scanner has many good points, but doesn't live up to the HP name. It warms up slowly, scans slowly, and the manual slide mechanism on the 6390 version is a pain. I bought it to support a busy customer reception area, and it just isn't up to the job. Being a relatively expensive scanner, and an HP, I expected more.

The SCSI interface is VERY nice, and using it reduces the time per scan considerably.

2 Fast and quality scanner!
I have this scanner for more than a 1.5 years now. I have choosen it because it's HP, and for the document feeder (there is no slide adapter with the 6350, it is bundeled with the 6390).

What I did not like is the miss of a printed manual (only on CD-rom) and the lack of an extensive on-line help (the help is very brief)! The 5 buttons on the scanner is just a joke for me, never used - I always wanted to make a scan/copy with other settings than the defaults. I have also configured the scanner to be used over our netwrok, whcich does not have much sense to me, but it works without problem.

The scanner have a SCSI-II interface, which let's it transfer data to the computer as fas as it reads from the glass. The document feeder is very useful, especially when making photo copies (the photo copy utility is very useful) or whith OCR through big quantities. The control software is really good too, let's you take control of all settings, no cut down.

I can recommend this scanner for all serious soho users!

3 Requires Minor Quality Tweaks
I did not purchase my 6350 at Amazon, but did so elsewhere. I have lived with this scanner for 2 months now. Here are my thoughts on this product. Note that the 3-stars and title I give this product are slightly misleading. The scanning quality is exceptional. The automatic document feeder (ADF) is a huge plus, and convenience. The software package included is alright. The setup and connections were no problems at all. With minor tweaking of this product, HP could really make it a scanner that will get it 5-stars in every category. Consider the following: 1. The scanner does not include faxing software, or at least I could not find any. This is a minor issue, however.... 2. The scanner optical "glass" surface had smudge marks and foggy spots, right out of the box. Perhaps better quality control/assurance practices at HP will fix this. Items with such obvious defects should never leave the manufacturing facility. Note that the average user cannot clean the underside of the scanner "glass". Hp does not recommend this for the 6350. 3. HP should have packaged the standard document cover with this unit as well. In cases where the ADF is required to be removed for repairs, the standard top could easily be put on. 4. The construction and design of the unit is not conducive to keeping the interior dust free. I state this as the chassis has several visible openings, that could introduce dust, fibres into the inside of the scanner. Perhaps HP designed it this way for ventilation and dessipation of built up heat from the unit. HP could perhaps better the design in future versions of this model. Since the 6300 is the identical model without the ADF, this fact applies to it as well, and other similar HP models too. In summary, I am quite pleased with this product. It does have the potential to be a GREAT product with a little more effort on HP's part. Sincerely, aba4430

4 A Noticeable Difference
There seems to be an over emphasis on business equipment and adult toys when it comes to computers these days. I think it is important to remember that an entire generation is being raised in the computer age. Many children are far more sophisticated in their abilities than traditional at home products are designed and targeted towards.

A perfect example of what a home system should have is the HP ScanJet 6350Cse. Here is a product that not only provides mom and dad what they need for work, but, also provides the children a high quality alternative for school projects that will knock the teacher's socks off. All this and it still won't break the bank.

From the moment you open package you will see the quality of the product. Using it only increases the pleasure. The scan quality is crisp, sharp and incredibly fast. The ability to quickly move from medium to medium is fantastic. If you use your computer for faxing the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) is an absolute life saver, and the more you use the ADF the more you will appreciate having it.

Personally, I recommend getting the SCSI card and cable, an optional accessory. It will increase your scanning speed and even sharpen your scanning ability. While the USB connection is more than adequate, the SCSI card is that much better and brings out the full capabilities of the unit.

Scanning is really an essential capability these days. From all in one printers and separate fax machines, to expensive high end units it is easy to spend more on acquiring the abilities the 6350 series offer and still not get the consistent quality. The software package is more than adequate and actually offers some nice versatility compared to other packages that come standard with other units. This is one investment that will not become obsolete as soon as you open the package. You will definitely appreciate the quality of your choice.

5 Look before you buy a HP Scanjet 6350 Cse
I have always liked HP products. Unfortunately they have started putting the customer second.

A friend and I both received this product for Christmas and now I wish I did more research before asking for this particular product.

First, we both had problems installing the scanner. The installation turned out to be the easy problem to solve. The hard part was finding the support number. It seems that they intentionaly made it difficult to find. Once you find the number you will notice that it is a long distance number, which means it will show up on your phone bill. You will also spend an average of 30 min. per call. Therefore, my first complaint is that the customer service is very bad.

Second, the slide attachment is a joke. It does not work. If you are thinking about buying this because it has a slide attachment, which I was, then do not even consider this product.

On the other hand, the flatbed scanner and the paper feeder do work well. If I had known what I know now about this scanner, I would not have bought, or asked, for it.