Sending/Receiving faxes

[jwboyd]

Four questions:

1. If I needed to send or receive faxes, how would I do that from my computer?

2. What are the pros and cons of using a standalone fax machine?

3. What are the pros and cons of using an all-in-one printer/copier/fax?

4. What are the pros and cons of using an internet-based fax service?

Thanks to all for your assistance.

Joe

[Paddy]

Having not used a standalone fax machine since the days of magic-disappearing-print-thermal paper (ie: a very long time ago) I'm probably not the best authority on that end of things - others may have more useful advice.

But as to question 1, simply hook up your Mac to a telephone outlet - if the MacBook Pro is your only Mac, you'll need to purchase Apple's teeny tiny little modem since the MBP doesn't come with one built in. Then select the document you want to fax and hit "print" and select PDF->Fax PDF and then fill in the various things that need to be filled in before actually sending (telephone number etc., whether or not you want a cover sheet)

There are instructions in the Help menu if you need more info.

As for a standalone fax machine of any sort, it will send multiple pages at one time without having to put them all in one document, which is handy. All-in-one machines are very handy and reduce desktop clutter. I'd get a laser one if you do a lot of B&W printing - cheaper to run by far. Not sure about the feeding a fax through - again, I've never owned one. One thing with a standalone fax machine - you can fax things that you DON'T have on your computer; there is no need to scan them in and then fax, as there is if you go the #1 route.

Never used an internet based fax service - they seem to cost a fair bit: http://a2.com/telecom/freefax.html#freefax (warning: obnoxious audio file - can be turned off)

How often do you need to send a fax?

[Xairbusdriver]

Since when do we have to have 'experience' to answer questions?!

1. Well answered by Paddy and provided for by Apple.

2. Extra costs, more desk space, possible second phone line or tying up the single line, SPAM faxes (yes, it's everywhere! And this way they actually cost you in paper and toner/ink. )

3. Usually more expensive than a simple FAX machine. CONs listed in #2. However, they are much more capable since they can print (usually on both sides at once) AND scan (even in color with a laser model). And they take up much less space than all the separate machines would.

4. Never used one. Depends on how they serve your outgoing and incoming FAXes. Many convert them to emails. Probably more expensive per message but could be cheaper in the long run if you don't need the actual hardware in #2 or #3. And they certainly don't take up any space in your room/desk (of course, you may want to print some of them so you'd still need a printer of some sort).

[Paddy]

Couple of comments - you can get all-in-one machines that are inkjet too. This Canon one gets good reviews. I've got a Canon MP600 - it doesn't fax, but it does a very good job copying, scanning and printing.

Regarding #4, almost all the fax online services use a subscription model - not a one-time deal. As such, they can get a bit pricey when you consider the cost of a multi-function printer vs. $7.95/mo or more over the course of a year.

[jcarter]

Great question!  Great answers!
I gave up on fax software or online junk, as I dont need to fax more than a couple of times a year. So I go to my local bank, and do it from there free. And they want to see our puppy, so it comes out just fine. Their fax machine site idle and our puppy loves the bank, so thats just a perfect solution.
Jane