Looking in to tech for a fax upgrade.  I know it is a bit crazy but a number of folks still use fax machines.  So far, I see two likely options for my own setup :

Referenced the article at http://ask-leo.com/how_can_i_send_and_receive_faxes_using_my_pc.html among others, and the information seems to be a bit dated; in all fairness, it was originally written in 2006.  Old School Fax Modem vs. old service offerings.

Very few if any of the online services seem to offer a local to me (Columbia, MO) phone number possibility, so for a hosted option that rather narrows it down to a toll-free number.  Fine in principle, but any use of a toll free number is bound to effectively cost more per page received; any business must pass costs along. Who wants to pay that for the largely junk faxes we tend to receive?

As others have mentioned, the ability to preview faxes (preferably as .pdf files) is a sure bonus.  I would never mind having them simply emailed to me; that’s what lots of “cloud” space for all sorts of data is all about.  Leveraging this investment I already have would be nice,  An added bonus would be viewing them on the go, even if I couldn’t necessarily print out (selected) pages.

http://www.brother-usa.com/mfc/LearningCenter/default.aspx?PageName=mfc-howtochoose.html#paperlessfax looks like another possibility, if I could only find the model(s) with such a feature.

What would be truly keen would be a tiny widget box, with analog in and out phone jacks like those dial-up modems had.  USB2 speed should be plenty (even though USB3 looms . . .) on the hardware side. If there are single chip GPS solutions that (minus antenna) fit within standard sized wrist watches, how much logic space is needed for a 33.6k “Super G3″ option external to a computer?  Ideally, the device should draw low enough power to be powered solely from the USB (or firewire) port.  Leaning USB, since I’m thinking low cost, ubiquitous device; 10/100 ethernet would be another option of course, in a slightly larger, LAN-friendly box.

Software side, linux / OSX / Win drivers in 32 and 64 bit flavors.  Ability to integrate with the target operating system and standard features introduced years ago, such as an usable printer driver (print from any application to a fax).  Since I’m imagining no large memory amount on the USB widget, a computer would have to be available to receive the faxes with software.  That software could have format options of perhaps PNG / jpg graphics or .pdf file.  Possibilities for delivery could be save to disk, and email (input your smtp info and authorizations, etc.)  Now you are back to having a local copy available, plus a copy archived off to your (remote) Google Apps email . . .

Panasonic looks to have had an interesting twist, though it’s definitely not what I’m looking for.  One Google search bit that may help in the future . . .

Drat.  In researching this, I’m behind the curve.  The Chinese have beaten me once more.  http://www.diytrade.com/china/4/products-list/0-s-c-1.html?qs=paperless+fax&qc=prd&ns=1 Not fully what I had in mind, but getting there.

You gather the idea.  Any reader recommendations welcomed, willing to consider all options for my low-usage fax desires at this point   I do already have a nice laser printer and scanner set up again here, so bonus points for the least amount of materials / expense

And as always, if you have any great review articles you’ve found, please don’t hesitate to comment.  Share your knowledge

Side note : stumbled across http://www.linkedin.com/in/jleveron as well.  So many services out there, so few hours per day.

The UPS gent arrived with this a bit before 5 PM yesterday; yay!

Even after careful review, I must admit I just wasn’t sure what to expect from a $120 (shipped) black and white laser.

Brother HL-2170W 23ppm Laser Printer with Wireless and Wired Network Interfaces

So far at least, it has exceeded my expectations.  Since even the home network has long been gigabit copper Ethernet, I decided to go the wired network route.  Call me a curmudgeon, but even though the wireless network setup was trivial I just really don’t have a need at present to put my documents out over the wireless, so I won’t; wireless B/G mode is disabled for the printer for now.  I can see that being handy if you wanted to power the printer in another room, however;  mo cabling needed!  (I have no idea if the wireless mode, assuming full strength / max speed G mode, would limit the output speed of 23 ppm or not)

Setup was a breeze, installing a standard Ethernet cable into the printers 10/100 port on the rear side. (which is where the USB cable input is, if so inclined).  Note to buyer : neither cable included, so plan appropriately so you are not stranded / charged shipping or tax for something small.

(side note : since my D-link switch has automatic crossover capability, I did test the printer out of curiosity with an old crossover cable relic; worked fine, though I suspect the printer had nothing to do with it)

I have not tested the USB mode, so I can’t comment there.  I suspect it works pretty well, since many folks would choose that method of connection.  I do like that it’s capable of that, should I ever need it.

I did read the quick install manual thoroughly before even opening the drum / toner pack.  Leisurely installation of cables, drum / toner, and untaping the top feed holder was about 5 minutes worth; checking out the paper tray, fanning the ole stack of 250 sheets, and installing was maybe another 3.  Have to adjust all of the widgets in the tray, just to see what sizes are possible, y’know.

I printed the built-in test page, as the manual noted it would no longer be available via a single touch button once the first print job was sent from the computer.  Check; it was in the highest resolution mode, and included graphics and font text designed to show off how well it prints.  It worked; the print quality was truly outstanding, much better than much higher priced office workgroup lasers from only a couple of years ago.

Just to be contrary, I of course skipped 100% of the driver disk that came with the Brother.  I’ve been running Windows 7 RTM, Ultimate 64 for a few weeks, and of course having that popular conversation with a number of vendors : “We’ll support that new OS once the final version ships”.  Well, this is the final version, even if it’s not on retailers shelves for a bit.  Early adopters – always have to be prepared for this

I did make sure in my research that the HL-2170W was Vista 64 compatible, a strong indicator that it would work (more or less) under Win7 64 bit.  I let Windows look for the printer, and it found it via two interfaces : the built in web interface, and the “standard” printer interface.  Being somewhat old fashioned there I suppose, I went with the standard.

Installed fine.  Tested fine via the Windows Test Page print job many of you are familiar with.  Another page to the home recycle bin.  I set the sleep time via the web interface, for example http://172.30.100.5/ to one minute.  The large glowing led power button can be set to dim significantly or turn off when sleeping; I chose to dim it, so I’d know the print had power still. (I print so little that it and the scanner are on an external surge suppressor, on the filter-only side of the UPS; makes it easy to leave both powered down 100% instead of sleeping, considering my very low use there)

The speed is pretty much on with their 23 page per minute claim; timed output from hitting “print” on the computer, to a sleeping printer was measured at 14 seconds until the page started emerging.  I consider that plenty good for my own home office needs.

It was simple to set the resolution way down to 300 dpi from their highest default, and to set toner saver on.  I’m not trying to impress with the output, and the visual difference to me takes pretty close looking.

I’m impressed, and so far feel this is a great printer for the money.  No more dried out inkjet bits, and I really don’t need the capability or expense of color.  Since it has enterprise type page count for the printer, as well as the current drum and toner cartridges, we’ll see how many pages we get out of the starter “1000 page” toner cartridge that’s included with it.  I predict it’ll be a while before I report back here.