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The HP Scanjet G4050 is a solid scanner that could use a driver overhaul and a better means of handling slides.

The HP Scanjet G4050 offers six-color scanning for excellent scan color and does a good job on both prints and film, including mounted slides.

Good colour-quality but slow speeds make this a more compelling proposition for those who occasionally need high-quality scans rather than for professional or semi-professional applications. At the price, there are alternatives that may not quite touch the colour quality, but offer better all-around...

Even bearing these criticisms in mind, the G4050 will still be attractive to anyone who has important negatives to archive. Where image quality is more important than speed or outright value, and whether you're scanning reflective or transparent media, the G4050 will generate excellent results.

This is a very good scanner, with colours that are not just better than average, but beat most of the competition too. However, there are still one or two problems that hold it back, including the handling of negatives and the tricky software.