Today's HP scanners have come a long way from the hand scanners of the early 1990's. HP color scanners eventually overcame their grayscale-only predecessors in affordability and versatility. HP scanners have a lot to offer users, including these features:

1. HP offers a line of scanners with programmable buttons to speed up the process for both images and documents. High scanning speeds -- 24 seconds for images, up to 70 images per minute -- increase operating speed.

2. HP scanning software, SmartDocument, lets you create specialized document profiles. HP Photosmart software makes editing scanned images an easier task.

3. A Hewlett-Packard scanner offers resolutions of up to 4800 dpi (dots per inch) for clean, clear reprints.

HP color scanners are available today in three lines for three levels of document management. The Hewlett-Packard Scanjet Photo Scanners are inexpensive workhorses for home or small business needs. The mid-range scanners, from the Hewlett-Packard Scanjet 5590 to the HP Scanjet 7650n, are flatbeds, multi-taskers built for high volumes of document and image scanning. Hewlett-Packard scanners for workgroups, from the HP Scanjet 7800 Document Sheetfeed to the new Digital Sender 9200C, are heavy-duty machines, prized for their speed and efficiency.

The HP scanner offers simplicity of operation, speed, image quality, multimedia scanning and user-friendly scanning software. HP's SmartDocument software makes it easy to create individual document profiles that are then assigned to buttons on the scanner, ensuring uniform results. HP's software also makes editing and enhancing images easier.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy HP scanners refurbished from HP or a discounter

You can save by buying a refurbished Hewlett-Packard color scanner directly from their website or from one of many Internet discounters. Almost all of these refurbished machines come with a warranty, but be careful to check its terms.

I recommend: HP offers closeout, overstock and refurbished office products, including HP color scanners, at their Hewlett-Packard Business Outlet. For other online sources of refurbished scanners, try such sites as 360 Technologies. This company does offer a limited warranty -- it also has HP-trained technicians refurbishing HP scanners.

Compare prices, reviews and user opinions to find a suitable Hewlett-Packard scanner

Reviews by other HP scanner users can be very helpful in making the right choice.

I recommend: CNET offers reviews and opinions of office IT products at their Shopper.com site. You'll also find reviews at Epinions. These reviews and opinions may raise important issues or red flags that you need to be aware of in order to buy HP scanners for all your needs.

Get some reliable assistance when you decide to buy an HP scanner

Take advantage of some special HP features that make choosing a specific scanner easier

I recommend: Check out the "help me choose a scanner" feature at the HP website. By answering a series of questions, HP will narrow down the list of appropriate scanners for you. Also stop by HP's Digital Photography Center. Their guide to HP photo scanners wil help you choose the HP scanner series that best suits your needs. It also offer tips for using HP scanners for personal and office projects. You may also want to sign up for the various e-newsletters that HP offers at their website. The print volume of The HP Official Scanner Handbook might also be a useful reference to access.

Buy HP scanners at the best price

Check out multiple vendors before deciding on the one that will best suit your HP scanner needs.

I recommend: Although buying direct from the manufacturer is usually the most expensive route, you know exactly who you're dealing with, and HP offers an extensive collection of scanners for direct purchase. TigerDirect offers a decent range of HP scanners, as does BizRate and SuperWarehouse.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Know what type of HP scanner will best suit your business needs; you can choose from a flatbed, see-through vertical or sheet-fed scanner.
• •  An 'all-in-one' scanner, that combines a scanner, inkjet printer, copier and fax machine, may be the most economical.