Good Questions: How Can I Virtually Fax?

Dear Unplggd,
I want to get rid of my fax machine. I've been searching my computer trying to find the feature that let's me fax from my laptop and have given up. Can I fax from my laptop (I have Vista) or do I need to keep the fax machine?

Thanks!
Anne

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Anne,

I think your decision depends on how often and how you use your fax. If you're looking for a solution to just let you send faxes, there seem to be a plethora of online solutions. We read several favorable reviews for MyFax and GreenFax.

But, if you do a lot of faxing the cost for these services could add up. Anyone have a favorite virtual fax service or an inexpensive way they get the job done?

Thanks for the question!

Image: Jeffrey & Mami

Comments (11)

haven't used it for faxing but i do use it to upload large files.
http://drop.io/fax

i've got an all-in-one print/scan/fax, so i'm happy...however, as far as i know it's easy on vista to fax documents. under My Programs, i have WINDOWS FAX AND SCAN which came standard. it says i only need to connect a phone line to my computer in order to fax documents.

eFax or j2 are both good also. I use j2. It's free for incoming if you're willing to have a random area code.

I've never used outgoing, but they have never failed me.

I use Ureach for both sending and receiving faxes. The nice thing is that you can get an 800 number for both faxing and a voicemail if you want.

There are so many out there. eFax is great if you just want to send faxes as I think it is still free for just that feature.

kdkaboom - I have Vista Home Premium. XP had a fax feature but Microsoft took if out of HP. (I HATE VISTA!!). Now it seems the only way to fax via computer is to BUY a service. (I HATE VISTA!). Oh, did I say that already?

As mentioned before efax. You can create PDF files or Word docs from inbound faxes and can send just about anything as along as it's on your computer.

Chris, I checked out efax but you have to pay a monthly fee for it unless I missed something.

i have efax and pay once per year.

j2 is the best. It's only $10 or $15 per month and you get a local number. All the faxes go to your email and you can easily email a fax (word document, PDF file, etc).

You still need to scan things in and save them on your hard drive if you want to send anything "by hand".

I posted this response to a question in Open Thread 42 ( http://www.unplggd.com/unplggd/open-threads/open-thread-47-045512 )

"...software being available for Apple and Windows machines. Before you recycle the old fax, ask yourself if you need to send documents* stored on your computer (either fax or E-mail attachments) or if you need to fax documents you receive in the mail or pick-up. E-mail or computer-based fax is fine for the former, but will not work for the latter. Documents you can hold in your hand will have to be scanned into the computer before sending. Look at eBay, etc. for less expensive fax machines or invest in a "three-in-one" (copier-fax-printer) as applicable.

* documents is used to imply text, pictures, forms, etc."

I use Trustfax. They give you a toll free number to which people can send faxes, and you upload files to the site to send as faxes. It's $9.95/year, plus a tiny charge per page to send.