Hewlett Packard ScanJet 3400C

Although sub-£100 scanners can be solid performers, you still have to beware of the occasional poor performer at this end of the market. The ScanJet 3400C does not fall into that category, and has a few more features than you'd normally find at such low prices; in fact, one of the biggest selling point of this scanner is the option for pictures to be scanned directly to an email or website.

The ScanJet 3400C is easy to set up and use, and for beginners who want to switch on and quickly see results, this is ideal. Ease of use is a consideration that cannot be underestimated, particularly if the buyer is more excited by what the scanner can do than by how it works.

We've all had nightmare moments when trying to install a new piece of hardware using poor instructions. The 3400C comes with an informative poster, however, and is complemented by on-screen instructions that don't take too much for granted in terms of technical knowhow.

The scan-to-web function is an easy step-by-step process, the key to which is the bundled software. The facility stores and displays images on websites that have been specifically created for this purpose. In the case of the ScanJet 3400C, this means registering to an Adobe site which provides virtual photo albums for displaying pictures and accompanying text, both of which can be public or private.

The keystone of the package is Adobe Activeshare, an excellent introduction to image manipulation. It provides access to the web, emails and Word documents plus useful tools like red-eye removal, all on the same, user-friendly screen. Those familiar with Adobe Photoshop will feel restricted by the lack of options and high-end features, but for the beginner it has just enough clout.

Another important aspect of the HP package is the Trellix web-design software, which enables simple personal websites to be set up in minutes. Again, this is a great feature for novices who just want to get something on the web before perfecting their skills on more high-end web-design packages.

In our tests, the ScanJet 3400C's performance disappointed in certain areas. Attempting to use the postcard creation function repeatedly caused the application to crash, and scans sometimes appeared with an undesirable purple tint. In terms of build quality, the 3400C has a see-through cover which looks good when its strip of luminescence is making its way back and forth scanning the image. The cover is not all that sturdy, though, and very easily comes loose.

To connect the scanner to your computer, the 3400C offers both USB and parallel options. Cables for both are supplied with the scanner - a detail which always gets a big thumbs-up from us.

The 3400C is an easy-to-use introduction to the world of digital pictures at an attractive price. The only let-down is the quality issue, which is not what you would expect from a company like HP. If it weren't for a few lingering doubts about its performance, the 3400C would be an excellent buy.

ContactHewlett Packard: 0870 547 4747 www.hp.com