                           ķ
                            HP ScanJet IIc 
                           Ľ

                             by Tony Curro


    Many of us come across images and/or text, that we wish to input in
    our computers. The text can be typed in, which can become tedious,
    and prone to typos. There is an easier way. Using a scanner, whether
    b/w or color, you can input either format quickly and easily.

    Hewlett-Packard's ScanJet IIc, is one of the scanners that I will be
    reviewing. This version is a color scanner, meaning that you can use
    b/w or color photos and other images, and it will retain the color.
    For b/w text or pictures it uses halftones or greyscale.

    ScanJet IIc comes with its own software, and is also bundled with,
    ZSoft PhotoFinish. For text there are many products out there. I
    will be reviewing several of them in the future. For now, I was
    pleased with Calera WordScan, and ExperVision TypeReader. Both do an
    excellent job. Using this combination, I had about 96-98% text
    accuracy with both products.

    One thing that I never saw mentioned in the ads is that the scanner
    requires MS Windows. Installation uses several megs. of hard disk
    space, but is very simple. You do need an interface card to connect
    the scanner to the system.  The installation does have one twist.
    You install the software BEFORE you install the hardware. Once you
    open up the software package, you run Windows, and install it. After
    the installation, you quit Windows, and run SWITCHSET from the
    directory you installed the software. This tells you if there are
    conflicts and other information needed to set up the interface card.
    Once you print or write down this information, you are ready for
    step 2. Now, you remove the interface card from the bag, and set the
    switches, if need be, according to the information you have. In some
    instances you will not have to change anything. Turning off your
    computer, you then put the card in an available slot, plug the
    scanner into it, and you are all done.

    You will have a new group file in Windows where you scanner icons
    are. This scanner is a 400dpi scanner. I had a 35mm photo that
    scanned with it. The color was very impressive, and the image was
    lifelike. However, it was a bit grainy. I tried various options with
    PhotoFinsh and HP's software to no avail. I could not sharpen it.

    The majority of the work I do is with text. With this the HP, and
    AccuPage, did show what it could do. As mentioned, the errors were
    minimal. In many instances the original text was lighter in some
    areas, and darker in others, which was the cause of most errors. I
    was very satisfied with the output in this area regardless.

    While I was pleased with the ScanJet IIc, I think it is a bit higher
    priced than its competitor's products, and may not be worth the
    additional money. I will be looking at other scanners, some doing
    600dpi, which carry a price tag of less than the HP, which does
    400dpi. I cannot comment on the quality of their output yet.

    HP has set the standard for scanners, and laser printers. IBM set
    the standard for computers. As you have seen with IBM, the clone
    market has caused IBM to reduce prices to be competitive. HP may
    have to do the same. A price reduction of several hundred dollars
    will make this scanner more attractive.


                        ķ
                         Product Information 
                        Ķ
                           Hewlett-Packard   
                             ScanJet IIc     
                            Color Scanner    
                        Ķ
                          List Price $2195.  
                        Ľ
