Scanners are not usually aesthetically pleasing pieces of hardware, as they tend to be big, ugly gray boxes that occupy a good chunk of your desktop. This is definitely not the case with HP's Scanjet 4670. This unique see-through scanner sits vertically to take up a lot less desk space, and it looks more like a piece of contemporary art than a typical peripheral.

Because you can look right through this scanner while it works, you can reposition objects easily for the next run-through. The scanner is only 3/4-inch thick and weighs 3 pounds (closer to 6 pounds with the stand), so it is easy to move from place to place.

The Scanjet 4670 is USB 2.0-compatible, so installation is easy and quick--we installed the software, plugged the scanner in, and were ready to go. There are even video instructions on the installation CD to walk you through the process, but even people with relatively minimal computer hardware experience should not have much difficulty getting the Scanjet 4670 up and running.

Using the scanner is just as easy and actually fun. You pull the scanner away from the stand and slide in the document or photo (up to letter-size). You can even completely remove the scanner from the stand and set it on top of the object to be scanned, or the scanner can be flipped upside down and the object placed on top.

ArcSoft Panorama Maker comes in the software bundle, and it lets you stitch together objects that are larger than the scanner's 8-1/2X11-7/10-inch face. The bundle also includes HP's Photo & Imaging software suite with a variety of applications such as HP's Memories Disk Creator for making photo CD, as well as Instant Share for putting photos up on the web. The ReadIris Pro optical character recognition (OCR) software works reliably, and it let us input documents and then transfer them to a word processor to avoid lengthy typing sessions.

The Scanjet 4670's specifications are more or less comparable to other scanners in this price range, but the performance doesn't set the 4670 apart from the pack. However, the unique look and feel of the scanner should give it a considerable advantage with anyone looking for something other than the typical gray-box product.

If you are seeking a scanner that has a real "wow" factor, HP's Scanjet 4670 is a competent model with one of the most original designs we've ever seen.

Pros: Very cool look, good scans
Cons: Standard but not exceptional performance

Warranty
1 year limited