Question 1

Is this scanner compatible with Windows 8.0 operating system?

Accepted Answer

Evelyn,

I have used the scanner on windows 8.0 and now 8.1 and it works fine.  I have not seen any software issues with the latest drivers from HP.

Question 2

What size image can it scan?

Accepted Answer

The scanning area is 8-1/2" X 12-1/2" .  I have scanned images larger than 8-1/2 X 11" (several different size photos at one time) so I expect it will scan images covering the entire scanning area.

Question 3

I have some 7500 slides and I plan to scan and will scan about 3000 of them.  How long does it take to scan a group of 16 to produce a reasonable copy of each?  Am I taking on an unreasonable task to scan 3000?

Accepted Answer

I have scanned over 30,000 slides, most on g4050 and it takes about 1-2 minutes per slide at high resolutions.  I am pleased with quality.  You can put hem in a photo editing program and improve but good to start.  The scanner also works with VueScan.  The updates on the software from HP fro Windows 7 I find do not work so I do not install.  The scanner includes back light (remove panel in cover) which person below is wrong.  Another person complained about scanner saying it was a $700 scanner which was obviously they were reviewing wrong scanner.  I used a Nikon before this which was not as good but cost $400 and I wore it and only did 4 sides at a time.

Question 4

Is this product good for scanning photos and slides?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I have done photos and 35mm negatives. It will do very high resolution for the negatives, but the higher settings take a lot of time to scan. But it will scan multiple negatives at once with the included plastic negative holders.

Question 5

is the software compatible with windows 10?

Accepted Answer

I don't know, but I wouldn't waste any amount of money on the HP Scanjet G4050.  After receiving it from new egg, it operated properly for the first month then it wouldn't turn on.  
I called new egg and they informed me that it was a manufacture issue and to call the number provided for HP.  Tech Support wasn't able to correct the problem and by now the time had lapsed to invalidate the warranty.
Hopefully, this was helpful.

Question 6

Does this software include HP Solution Center?

Accepted Answer

No, even though the set up instructions say it does, it's not there!  Not available on the web site anymore either.  It took me a few hours trying to load up the solution software to no avail.  But, not all is lost. The included software on the cd ROM replaces the solution center software and it works okay.  The instructions are not very good on telling you how to use it, but you'll figure it out, eventually.   Regarding the scanner, it works very fast, warms up quickly and is probably smarter than I am.  Compared to my old HP scanner, the software does not wake up the scanner. You have to turn it on to get it to operate. Just something to get used to.  I am disappointed that HP would no longer support my old scanner, which was very expensive, but they do not provide drivers for Windows 7 or 8.  HP almost lost a sale because of this. Hope this helps.

Question 7

How do you scan slides or film?

Accepted Answer

The scanner comes with adapters that you place slides or film into then slide the adapter into the scanner lid. You will need to install either the HP software that came with the scanner or some other application which will convert the negatives (or positives) into properly oriented photos. Scanning is limited to the number of slides or negatives the adapters will hold. The slide adapter holds 16 standard slides, negative adapter holds one strip of negatives and another adapter holds over sized slides. HP's owner manual available from the HP web site is a good resource for details on how to scan negatives and slides. Its much better then my condensed version here.

Questions & Answers