Panasonic KX-FHD351 Plain-Paper Fax

First off, you have to consider how many things this machine is meant to do. It is not primarily a fax machine, although that is one of its functions.

In my office, most work is done over the net or snail mail, we don't use the fax much at all. So, for an occational transmission/reception, it works very well. It hasn't failed yet.

And as an answering machine, it records and plays clearly. It's easy to use and the speaker phone works well when screening calls.

I've had this unit in service for about 1 year, and still have the original film drum in it. Like I said, we are only occational fax users and this unit sits on the line, answers it, takes and sends faxes without a hitch...

Granted, the end quality doesn't hold to a laser fax, but it is fine for our operation and priced right!

I was feeling broke when my fax died and I thought, why bother with one of those more expensive faxes? You just need a basic machine-- go for this one.

Oy. Big mistake. I hate it. Instead of a tidy ink cartridge, you have to use a cumbersome Ink Film roll, which never goes in right, and when you finally do cram it in, it gets used up so quickly, you're always getting caught short.

This is one of those moments when you realize the reason a machine is so [inexpensive] is because it is cheaply made. The plastic is flimsy, no parts line up quite the way they should.

When this breaks, and I have no doubt that time will come soon enough, I will figure out other ways to economize-- and spring for a sturdier model. And absolutely one that does not rely on "patent pending" (why bother?) genuine Panasonic Ink Film.

I have found this to be the best fax/answering/speakerphone for the price. I tried the HP 1050, and had to return it (twice) because of poor sound quality. This unit has had no problems with feeding, copying, or sending/recieving faxes. I have used the unit everyday for 2 months, and think it is almost perfect. The speakerphone and answering machine are clear, even at max-volume. If you are like me, and don't like cordless phones, this is your machine. Too bad it doesn't come in black, or it would be perfect. UPDATE: After 2 years of daily use, its still working and sounding great. UDATE: Now in Jan 2010, after 4 years of daily use, still working great.