The HP Scanjet 3970 may need an updated design, but with a price tag of £81 (ex. VAT), plus a good selection of features and the ability to produce quality images, this is a great utilitarian scanner for a first-time user or a student.

The Scanjet 3970 avoids looking too bulky, but it’s a bit boxy and could use a more streamlined, stylish design. The convenient, sliding hinges on its lid accommodate books or albums; they feel a little more stable than those of its sibling, the Scanjet 3670. Handy features include the built-in Transparent Material Adapter for scanning slides and 35mm negatives, and the four one-touch buttons lining the front for scanning, printing, image-sharing and creating photo CDs.

A clear, step-by-step instruction sheet makes it easy to set up the Scanjet 3970. Like most HP scanners, the 3970 comes with HP Photo & Imaging software, a no-frills photo- and image-editing program. You also get HP’s Memories Disc Creator, Instant Share and Scanjet Copy software, plus ReadIris Pro OCR for converting printed material into editable text.

We were pleased when we tested the Scanjet 3970’s image reproduction on our 19in. Samsung SyncMaster 957MB flat-screen CRT. The scanner picked up the most minute details — although it created a slightly grainy quality in photographic images — and it accurately reproduced the colours of the test document. It also delivered clear, legible text down to 3-point font. Overall, its scans were clean and of good quality.