Cannon makes good ones.  I'd recommend a USB scanner, though.  No reason to fool around with adding a card into the PC.

Quoting Kathy:

Quote:
I'm looking into purchasing a scanner that is fairly simple to use. Any suggestions would be apprechiated. Thank you in advance.

Microtek makes a good line of scanners, ranging in price from dirt cheap to a couple hundred.  They are USB based, reliable as dirt, and the software that comes with them is first rate.  My current one is a model 4850, 48-bit color, 4800 x 2400 dpi ccd.

Do a bit of research, though, and be sure to get a model (regardless of the brand you choose) that lets you remove the glass bed from the base for cleaning.

I'm with kdh, I'd say go with a Canon.

I used to have only hp, but I kept having color banding problems, no matter what model they all had the problem.

I'm on my second Canon, a 4200F at the moment, and they've never disappointed. I barely have to do any retouching for colors, and it's really quick. As for specs, its got a 3200 dpi optical resolution 48-bit color, and it can do slides and negatives. It's a nice little trusty machine.

Quoting Kathy:

Quote:
I'm looking into purchasing a scanner that is fairly simple to use. Any suggestions would be apprechiated. Thank you in advance.

I see you currently have : Accepted Image Contributions:  Zero .

I'll check in next month to see if that number has changed..

 

Do you want just a scanner or a multi--function printer (copy, sans, prints)?
I go to one of the web sites where you can pick your price range, etc.
Example for reviews and prices:
multi-function:
CNET
PCMAG

or scanners
CNET
PCMAG

I have a Canon Pixma MP600 multi-function printer for every day use and a MICRTEK ScanMaker 5 for reflective surfaces, film,  slides, etx.etc.).

I have seen a lot of excelent HP hardware (including scanners) over the time. Unfortunately, I have yet to see a driver from HP that was anything but a total disaster. So I would go with whatever Canon or Epson I could easily buy - and I wouldn't touch a HP with the water from a remote controlled firehose.

I used to work for a HP reseller. I think theirs are the best quality scanners available and I'm not just saying that because I used to work for them. Beware Photosmart scanners though, as they come with software that is basically rubbish.

It's funny seeing this thread though with several knocks for HP and a bunch of recommendations for Canon. I'm not sure about right now, but historically, HP and Canon shared their technology with each other. Usually repairing a HP printer or scanner with HP parts was impossible because of the ridiculous cost, but dealers could always find the equivalent Canon part. Identical, but dirt cheap.