Home > Consumer Reviews > HP ScanJet 3300Cse Flatbed Scanner

I was let down by HP. The scanner was identified as an "Unknown USB Device" 17 out of 20 times I booted my computer. HP's web site noted this problem and suggested unplugging the scanner for 1 minute and rebooting the computer. After two days of that I returned the scanner.

I also learned from their web site the software which ships with the scanner is not compatible with HP LaserJet III or older printers (I would have found that out if I ever got to the point of printing).

My old Logitech PageScan Color USB scanner worked first time on this computer even with the Win95b drivers! (I used this scanner to verify the problem was not the USB on the Pavilion)

I an VERY disappointed with HP for selling this scanner with such problems (49 known problems noted on their support page) From other reviews I have read here and elsewhere, people are either pleased as punch with this scanner or have returned it and will never buy HP again. Maybe HP has a batch of "lemons" out there: it appears to be 50/50 from what I can determine.

I am a first time user of scanners and found this scanner to be very simple to use. The quality is very good. I use this for everything from photos to bills that i copy to my cd-writer. It was a very good purchase.

This Scanner does not work with Windows Me. We had to download a patch and that still did not work. We had USB port troubles. We then spent 50 minutes on the phone (not toll free--am dreading getting the bill) with technical support who had us do everything but tear apart our computer and rebuild it to get this scanner working. I'm worried now that our whole system may be messed up because of all the steps he had us go through. It is actually working now and our scanned images are pretty good, especially copying old black and white photos. But after reading other's reviews (which I wish I had read before I bought this) I'm worried it won't last long. My advice would be to RUN AWAY! FAR FAR AWAY!!

When I bought this scanner, it was a newer model and not nearly as low-priced as 100 dollars. Still, for my needs, I feel as though I got my money's worth. If you're like me and scan a few pics a week, don't mind moderate-speed, and don't mind the scanner controls being in the software rather than on the scanner itself (there are only 2 buttons: copy, and print), you'll feel the same way. I have NO complaints with picture quality, despite previous reviews. I scan color prints and brochure photos (will not work with slides).

If you're going to spend a hundred dollars on a scanner, you have to understand that to get the precise picture quality you desire, you will have to "tweak" it here and there with a photo editor. The software that comes with it will do the trick, but I would recommend JASC Paint Shop Pro as a moderateley-priced, excellent-quality accompanying graphic editor. Either way, LEARN the graphic software you use to get good quality scans.

#1 Important thing to remember? Will ONLY work with with Windows 98 and a USB port connection! There is NO parallel or serial port connector, and it WILL NOT work with Windows 95. Figure out your needs, and decide whether this will do the trick.

The lesson I've learned here is never buy an HP scanner with a 90 day warranty. Most of their "higher quality" scanners have at least a 1 year warranty, but this low end scanner comes with a 90 day. Apparently, that is just about the lifetime of the scanning bulb. Mine burned out two weeks out of warranty and their support told me "you might as well buy a new one for the cost of replacing a bulb". Nice!

They should build these with a cardboard casing and sell them on shelves at K-Mart as the "disposable Scanner".

It'll cost a little more (initially), but I recommend the Epson 1200 U. I'm very happy with it.