Fax Machines

Fax Machines

Even with the advent of email and digital imaging, the good old fax retains a significant position in business communications.  If you are thinking of purchasing a "stand alone" fax machine (in contrast to a multi-function printer - see our review at Multi-function Printers, or faxing from your PC using a fax-enabled modem and software - see our review at Dial Modems), you'll have a number of options to choose from, and making the right choice for your needs will be important to not only how well you communicate with your customers, but also to your pocket book.

In brief, following are some of the areas you should consider (and that will influence the overall cost of your fax solution) before your purchase that fax machine.

• Speed - The speed of your fax transmission isn't important only because you don't like watching and waiting while you make sure that important fax went through, it's also about your communication costs.  If you're sending a thirty page fax at 9.6 Kbps to your client across the country and your long distance rate is $.07 per minute, you'll spend $2.01 to transmit that fax.  However, if you transmit the same fax at 14.4 Kbps, your cost will be $1.40.  If you do a lot of faxing around the country, or even outside your local dialing area, these numbers add up fast.

• Printing Technology/Quality/Media  - There are two reasons you should be very aware of the printing technology your fax machine uses:

  • To ensure you can actually read the document you've received, and that the paper it is printed on does not deteriorate rapidly.

  • Those overall costs again!

  Fax machines use four methods of printing your documents:

  • Thermal technology on thermal paper - lowest quality, lowest machine cost, but not necessarily lowest overall cost

  • Thermal technology on plain paper - mid-range quality, mid-range machine cost, low overall cost (depending upon individual manufacturer's supply costs)

  • Ink jet technology on plain paper - color capability, generally higher quality output, high overall cost (again, depending upon individual manufacturer's supply costs)

  • Laser technology on plain paper - highest quality, highest cost.

  When we get to the review, we'll make sure you understand the cost per page of a fax - before you buy from the manufacturer!

• Supply Costs - Often we neglect to include the long term cost of supplies before we purchase a fax machine (or printer).  These are generally termed "consumables" costs and can really add up!  If you're running out to purchase to rollers, or cartridges every other week that cost $70 a piece - well, you get the picture.  In our review, we'll do a calculation based on speed and supply cost to get you to a cost per page for sending and receiving faxes on a particular machine.

• Compatibility - A "stand alone" fax machine shouldn't necessarily, "stand alone".  Many now function jointly with your PC or phone system - or even include a phone system (see below)!

• Other Functionality - As noted above, fax machines have a number of nice "add-on" functions built into some models:

  Web Home Office Reports

  • Copier

  • Corded Telephone

  • Cordless Telephone (even cordless telephone 'systems' with multiple handsets)

  • Answering Machines

  • ......

  So, if you're looking for a new phone too, maybe what you should purchase instead is a phone/fax communications center!

• Alternatives - If you don't want to purchase a fax machine there are alternatives.  Some services, like that from efax provide a local or toll-free number for your customers to send faxes to you at, and you send and receive the faxes from your email application.  What could be simpler?

There is a lot to think about - even when you're just purchasing a piece of equipment that seems to be as simple as a fax!  So, let's get going and figure out the best solution for you! 

More information on Fax Machines is available at:

http://www.faxmachineshq.com

Fax Machines HQ

Categorized resource directory for everything about fax machines.

Final thoughts before we get to our review of fax machines.  Make sure the fax machine your purchase meets your specific requirements in the following areas:

• Paper Capacity - Seems like a "silly" thing, but if you're out of the office a lot and receive a large volume of faxes or fewer, but longer faxes, you'll want to make sure that your fax has paper in it when the fax arrives (or that it has enough memory to hold the fax[es] until you get there!).  Also, if you send big faxes, make sure the feeder can accommodate the size of your documents.  There is nothing more frustrating than sitting around, manually feed the fax machine a few pages at a time as it transmits your large documents.
• Warranty and Support - As always, make sure the company stands behind its product.
• Consumable Availability - Before you purchase your fax machine, do a little "digging" to make sure there are at least a couple of local folks (and online retailers as well) from whom you can purchase consumables when you need them.  Local retailers are very important during "emergency" situations!

In our review, we've attempted to hit all the "highlights" of the fax machines that are out there for the home business owner.  Additionally, you'll see that we've included a "cost per page" calculation so you'll understand the "ongoing" versus "one time" costs of each machine.  (We've assume toll charges at $.07/minute and "plain paper" to cost $.005 per sheet).

Details for the fax machines from the manufacturers below can be found in our product matrix Fax Machines.  And finally, we've chosen a "favorite" machine from each manufacturer.  You'll know our "favorite" by the Æ symbol by that machine.

Fax Machines Review

Fax Machines*

(Rankings - best, 5 symbols, worst, 1 symbol)

* A = Amateur, R = Rookie, P = Pro

Brother

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Brother's large line-up of fax machine choices are all simple to set up and install.  Just pull them out of the box, go through a few simple menus (LCD screen on the fax machine) and you're off and faxing!  If you connect them to a PC and integrate your PC with the fax machine for printing and/or faxing (in the case of the Personal Fax-565 and most of the ink jet and laser IntelliFax higher-end models) there is some added complexity.  You'll have to load the drivers from the enclosed CD or download drivers from the Brother Web site and install them.

Cost - $$$$

Brother's fax machines are competitively priced - ranging from $59.99 to $89.99 for the four thermal models, $89.99 to $169.99 for the four ink jet models and from $199.99 to $899.99 for the five laser models.  Their costs per page, when consumables are factored in (we are very conservative in our assumptions, unlike many vendor cost per page assumptions) are manageable for the home based business and business owner.  For details, see our product matrix Fax Machines.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

In general, we at Home Office Reports attempt to avoid faxing whenever possible.  We're bigger believers in scanning the document into the PC and emailing it (it's cheaper, and you'll have the document stored electronically to resend time and again without incurring transmission costs).  However, as most folks remained tied to their fax machines, it remains an important tool for communication "with the outside world".

Ease of Use - @@@@@

Fax machines have been around for quite a while.  We're not sure we know anyone that can't pretty much walk up to any fax machine and send or receive a fax!  Very usable!

Works With - YYYYY

All fax machines are interoperable and compatible - it wouldn't work if they weren't!

Support - pppp

Brother's fax machines all carry a one year warranty.  They have a nice FAQ area on their Web site and 24 hour "800" and email access to tech support personnel.

Features - iii1/2

Brother makes solid fax machines without a lot of "bells and whistles".   They offer is integrated  speakerphone, 5.8GHz cordless and answering machine systems as well as USB 2.0 and Ethernet connectivity (on some models) and color ink jet capabilities on three models.

Overall Rating - %%%%

Brother makes solid fax machines at a competitive price.  If you need to fax, fax and fax, Brother is your manufacturer.

Canon

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Canon's small, but functional line-up of fax machine choices are all simple to set up and install.  Just pull them out of the box, go through a few simple menus (LCD screen on the fax machine) and you're off and faxing!  If you connect them to a PC and integrate your PC with the fax machine for printing and/or faxing (in the case of the Faxphone L170) there is some added complexity.  However, Canon includes the software and drivers to turn your laser fax machine into a laser printer.

Cost - $$$$

Canon makes one ink jet fax machine priced at $79.99 and eight laser fax machines priced from $199.00  to $1,867.67.  Canon's fax machines are not the least expensive.  However, when their consumables costs are factored in, their equipment looks better than before.  Additionally, the ability to quickly turn the Faxphone L170 into an office laser printers is a real plus from a cost standpoint.  For details, see our product matrix Fax Machines.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

In general, we at Home Office Reports attempt to avoid faxing whenever possible.  We're bigger believers in scanning the document into the PC and emailing it (it's cheaper, and you'll have the document stored electronically to resend time and again without incurring transmission costs).  However, as most folks remained tied to their fax machines, it remains an important tool for communication "with the outside world".

Ease of Use - @@@@@

Fax machines have been around for quite a while.  We're not sure we know anyone that can't pretty much walk up to any fax machine and send or receive a fax!  Very usable!

Works With - YYYYY

All fax machines are interoperable and compatible - it wouldn't work if they weren't!

Support - pppp

Canon's fax machines all carry a one year warranty.  They have a support area on their Web site and 24 hour "800" and email access to tech support personnel.

Features - iiii

Canon has focused their fax implementations on the home business owner and the enterprise.  Their equipment is designed to fit in with your PC or network and perform more than a single faxing or telephony function.  The FAX-JX200 includes a telephone handset, 14.4Kbps fax and copying capability.  The higher end Laser Class 700, and 310 lines are designed for high volume fax environments and lower costs per page.

Overall Rating - %%%%

If you fax more than print, the Canon Faxphone solutions are sound solutions for your business.  The biggest decision for you to make is laser versus inkjet; color versus black and white; up front cost or long term cost.  We like the laser faxes - L170, 510, 700, 2050p.

HP

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

HP's small, but functional line-up of fax machine choices are all simple to set up and install.  Just pull them out of the box, go through a few simple menus (LCD screen on the fax machine) and you're off and faxing!  If you connect them to a PC and integrate your PC with the fax machine for printing and/or faxing (all the HP fax machines) there is some added complexity.  However, HP really wants you to integrate their fax equipment with their PCs - they're really a printer company after all - and it shows in their fax implementations.

Cost - $$$$

HP makes four ink jet fax machines priced at $79.99, $99.99, $119.99 and $129.99.  HP's fax machines are not the least expensive.  However, when their consumables costs are factored in, their equipment looks better than before.  Ink jet printers, though cheap to purchase can be real "killers" in consumables.  HP however, is better than most in this regard.  They consistently make tanks and technology that are longer lasting than their competitors - and lower your overall consumable/cost per page.  For complete details, see our product matrix Fax Machines.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

In general, we at Home Office Reports attempt to avoid faxing whenever possible.  We're bigger believers in scanning the document into the PC and emailing it (it's cheaper, and you'll have the document stored electronically to resend time and again without incurring transmission costs).  However, as most folks remained tied to their fax machines, it remains an important tool for communication "with the outside world".

Ease of Use - @@@@@

Fax machines have been around for quite a while.  We're not sure we know anyone that can't pretty much walk up to any fax machine and send or receive a fax!  Very usable!

Works With - YYYYY

All fax machines are interoperable and compatible - it wouldn't work if they weren't!

Support - pppp

HP's fax machines all carry a one year warranty.  They have a support area on their Web site and 24 hour "800" and email access to tech support personnel.

Features - iiii

HP has focused their fax implementation on the home business owner.  Their equipment is designed to fit in with your PC and perform more like a printer and copier than a fax machine.  A first, simple step to get you hooked on HP ink jet technologies. 

Overall Rating - %%%%

If you print as much as you fax - then HP!  They remain a leader in "print" technologies and their fax machines are among the best of those implementing ink jet print technologies.

Panasonic

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Panasonic's line up of fax machines is designed to make it easy to get your home office going.  They plug in easily, configure in a snap - you're off and faxin'!

Cost - $$$$

Panasonic makes six thermal faxes ranging from $69.95 to $199.95 and nine laser faxes ranging in price from $199.95 to $499.95.  Just as HP shows its roots and direction by focusing their best efforts on the printing side of the fax machine, Panasonic demonstrates its abilities in the area of telephony - and cordless phone systems.  What makes the Panasonic solution potentially cost effective for the home business owner is the the option to purchase a single phone/fax system that integrates 2.4 GHz digital cordless phone technologies.  Separate systems would potentially cost $150 to $200 more.  If you're interested in other cordless phone system options - take a look at Cordless Phones.  For complete product details see our product matrix Fax Machines.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

In general, we at Home Office Reports attempt to avoid faxing whenever possible.  We're bigger believers in scanning the document into the PC and emailing it (it's cheaper, and you'll have the document stored electronically to resend time and again without incurring transmission costs).  However, as most folks remained tied to their fax machines, it remains an important tool for communication "with the outside world".

Ease of Use - @@@@@

Fax machines have been around for quite a while.  We're not sure we know anyone that can't pretty much walk up to any fax machine and send or receive a fax!  Very usable!

Works With - YYYYY

All fax machines are interoperable and compatible - it wouldn't work if they weren't!

Support - pppp

Most of Panasonic's fax machines all carry a one year warranty.  However the systems that integrate cordless phones only have a 6 month warranty (buyer beware!).  Panasonic has a comprehensive support area on their Web site and 24 hour "800" and email access to tech support personnel.

Features - iiii

Panasonic has focused their fax implementation on the home business owner - just from the telephony perspective!  They are one of the two leaders (from our perspective) in cordless phone systems for home and small business owners.  Therefore, their implementations in this area are robust and feature rich.  Phone systems with the fax machine can accommodate up to 4 handsets and include, in some cases, speakerphones and answering machines as well.

Overall Rating - %%%%

If you want to marry your phone and your fax - Panasonic!  You'll be happy with their cordless technology and their fax machines as well.

Samsung

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

If you do a ton of faxing, Samsung's laser fax machines may be for you.  Samsung's laser faxes are easy to install, setup and configure.  Samsung's machines deliver a straightforward implementation of faxing - they just use laser technology to print and copy.

Cost - $$$$

Samsung makes two laser fax machines priced at $299.99 and $421.00.  Samsung has built the machines to operate at a low cost per page (we are much more conservative than they are - but even then...).  The SF-560 has wonderful consumables costs and a low entry price as well $299.99.  For details see our product matrix Fax Machines.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

In general, we at Home Office Reports attempt to avoid faxing whenever possible.  We're bigger believers in scanning the document into the PC and emailing it (it's cheaper, and you'll have the document stored electronically to resend time and again without incurring transmission costs).  However, as most folks remained tied to their fax machines, it remains an important tool for communication "with the outside world".

Ease of Use - @@@@@

Fax machines have been around for quite a while.  We're not sure we know anyone that can't pretty much walk up to any fax machine and send or receive a fax!  Very usable!

Works With - YYYYY

The fax machines are interoperable and compatible - they wouldn't work if they weren't!

Support - pppp

Samsung's fax machines carry a one year warranty.  They have a support area on their Web site and 24 hour "800" and email access to tech support personnel.

Features - iii1/2

Basic laser fax machines with copying capabilities (reduction and enlargement) as well.

Overall Rating - %%%1/2+

The SF-560 has a good price point and very good long term consumables costs as well.

Sharp

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Sharp understands consumer electronics and making things simple to install and operate.  Their fax machines are just that - simple.

Cost - $$$$

Sharp makes three thermal fax machines priced at $79.98, $79.99 and $99.95, three ink jet fax machines at $79.98, $79.99 and $99.95 and five laser fax machines at prices from $599.99 to $1,625.00.  For details, see our product matrix at Fax Machines.  

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

In general, we at Home Office Reports attempt to avoid faxing whenever possible.  We're bigger believers in scanning the document into the PC and emailing it (it's cheaper, and you'll have the document stored electronically to resend time and again without incurring transmission costs).  However, as most folks remained tied to their fax machines, it remains an important tool for communication "with the outside world".

Ease of Use - @@@@@

Fax machines have been around for quite a while.  We're not sure we know anyone that can't pretty much walk up to any fax machine and send or receive a fax!  Very usable!

Works With - YYYYY

All fax machines are interoperable and compatible - it wouldn't work if they weren't!

Support - pp

Sharp only provides a 90 day warranty on their equipment.  If you need service on the equipment, you'll be sent to the nearest Sharp dealer for repair and/or replacement.

Features - iii1/2

Standard features and functions in all models.  Choices in basic technology - thermal, ink jet or laser.

Overall Rating - %%%1/2

Solid machines with standard features and functions.

Xerox

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Xerox fax machines are designed for higher volume business fax requirements.  They are all simple to operate and install and all also include print, copy and scan capabilities as well.

Cost - $$$1/2

Xerox's six laser fax machines are priced from $549.00 to $1,499.00.  For details, see our product matrix at Fax Machines.  

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

In general, we at Home Office Reports attempt to avoid faxing whenever possible.  We're bigger believers in scanning the document into the PC and emailing it (it's cheaper, and you'll have the document stored electronically to resend time and again without incurring transmission costs).  However, as most folks remained tied to their fax machines, it remains an important tool for communication "with the outside world".

Ease of Use - @@@@@

Fax machines have been around for quite a while.  We're not sure we know anyone that can't pretty much walk up to any fax machine and send or receive a fax!  Very usable!

Works With - YYYYY

All fax machines are interoperable and compatible - it wouldn't work if they weren't!

Support - pppp1/2

Xerox fax machines carry a one year warranty that you can extend or upgrade if you desire.  They have a very extensive tech support area on their web site with lots of places to find the information you'll need to solve your problems.  If you are still stuck, you can submit your problem using an on line form or call them at their "800" number.

Features - iiii

Xerox fax machines are actually low end "multi-function" devices that can print, copy, scan - and fax.  All include confidential transmission, group broadcast, speed dials and much, much more as well as TextBridge, OmniPage or PaperPort OCR software.

Overall Rating - %%%%

If your business requires lots of faxing - and a laser printer, scanner and copier would be useful as well - but it's all about fax - then the Xerox fax machines are for you.  Lots of speed and capability for your business backed by a robust technical support strategy.