How To

How to Choose a Faxing Product

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(6 Ratings)

Should you choose a computer fax modem or an actual fax machine? Is a multifunction device (scanner, printer and fax machine in one) worth it? It depends on your needs.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Fax Modems
  • Flat-bed Scanners
  • Multifunction Fax Machines
  • Plain-paper Fax Machines
  • Thermal Fax Machines
  1. Step 1

    Choose a fax modem to send and receive faxes if you create all or most of your documents on a computer, and if you won't send or receive faxes that often. Print received faxes if you need a hard copy. You can scan any nonelectronic documents you need to fax, but it's time-consuming.

  2. Step 2

    Consider a fax machine if you'll receive lots of faxes. Receiving a fax can cause your computer to slow down, and you might not be able to work on other materials until the fax is completely received.

  3. Step 3

    Choose a thermal fax machine if you'll send more faxes than you receive, or if permanent copies of received faxes are unnecessary.

  4. Step 4

    Buy a plain-paper fax machine if you send and receive many faxes per day.

  5. Step 5

    Choose a multifunction device if you need a plain-paper fax machine, a printer or secondary printer, and a limited-use scanner, and if your desktop space is very limited.

Tips & Warnings
  • The speed of your fax modem is irrelevant, unless it predates 1995, as you cannot fax faster than 14.4 kbps.
  • If purchasing a thermal fax machine, make sure it has an automatic paper cutter and anti-curl technology. Because most multifunction devices have sheetfed scanners, you cannot use them to scan books, magazines, or originals larger than 8 1/2 by 11 inches.
  • Some multifunction devices print in color but scan and copy in black and white.
  • Multifunction machines, especially those made by Hewlett-Packard, are often dependent on the computer to fax or copy.
  • The printed image will begin to flake off thermal paper within a few months.
  • Multifunction devices represent a considerable sacrifice in quality and reliability.

Comments  

byllz said

Flag This Comment

on 11/7/2008 Great article 5 Stars!!

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