Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!ispi!jbayer
From: jbayer@ispi.UUCP (Jonathan Bayer)
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: Re: Junk Fax (was Re: Request for poll of ten best/worst products of 88)
Message-ID: <412@ispi.UUCP>
Date: 14 Jan 89 19:05:59 GMT
References: <210@imspw6.UUCP> <867@atux01.UUCP> <10@blender.UUCP> <2696@rti.UUCP> <430@visdc.UUCP>
Reply-To: jbayer@ispi.UUCP (Jonathan Bayer)
Organization: Intelligent Software Products, Inc.
Lines: 56

In article <430@visdc.UUCP> jiii@visdc.UUCP (John E Van Deusen III) writes:
>In article <2696@rti.UUCP>, bcw@rti.UUCP (Bruce Wright) writes:
>
>> ... I really don't see much point in the fax-as-computer peripheral.
	[ deleted ]

>If a person has a need for a PC as well as a fax machine, I think that
>PC-based fax makes a lot of sense.  Since a laser printer is a nearly
>essential computer peripheral, the only "extra" equipment is a $600-$900

	Sorry, I disagree.  A laser printer is not an essential
peripheral.  Maybe for you, but not for a lot of small businesses which
do need faxes.

>fax card and a $1,300 scanner.  A scanner like the HP SCAN-JET, capable
>of 600 dpi resolution, is likewise a very desirable peripheral.  Among
>other things, it will allow the PC to function as a plain-paper copier
>and a telecopier.
>
>It is possible to obtain a fax machine for $1,000, but plain-paper


Thank you.  Going by your prices, a small customer has the following
choices of equipment to buy and money to spend:

	1.	laser printer		>    $ 1000
	2.	scanner			app. $ 1300
	3.	Fax card (mode 3)	>    $ 1000	(my guess)

			total:	 more than $ 3300, add at least 600 for
				an HP laserjet.


	1.	Fax (electrostatic)	< $ 1000

			a savings of at least $ 2300


	1.	Fax (plain paper)	app. $ 2500

			a savings of at least $ 800


On top of everything else you suggest that the fax is a good substitute
for a copier.  Several comments.  First, try making multiple copies in a
reasonable amount of time on a fax.  Second, unless you have a scanner
you cannot copy pages in a book.  Third, do you really want to put the
computer down while it is making a copy?

JB

-- 
Jonathan Bayer				"The time has come," the Walrus said...
Intelligent Software Products, Inc.	
19 Virginia Ave.				...uunet!ispi!jbayer
Rockville Centre, NY   11570	(516) 766-2867	jbayer@ispi