The communicator - Simple Technology Inc.'s 28.8 Communicator fax/modem for laptop computers - Evaluation - Small Business Computing: Windows 95 programs - Hardware Review - Brief Article

Nation's Business, Dec, 1995 by Albert G. Holzinger

In the computer industry, it's true that good things come in small packages. Witness the 28.8 Communicator; from Simple Technology Inc., an all-purpose communications device for laptop computers. Its small size--not much larger than a credit card--belies its tremendous functionality. The device is a dependable (five-year warranty) and lightning-fast modern for efficient connection to your office network, on-line services, the Internet, or anywhere else when you're on the road.

Like most laptop modems, the Communicator can send or receive faxes. But unlike most, it can double as a full-featured voice-mail that can even page you when a message is received. It also can be connected to many popular cellular telephones via an optional cable.

Sometimes the measure of a company is the quality of its response when something goes awry with a product. Simple Technology's response was impressive when a unit--through no fault of the company--was not accurately recognized by our laptop's Windows 95 operating system, which was still in the testing phase. Simple Technology's tech-support people took the relevant information by phone, worked until they replicated the problem, and then called with a solution. The Communicator has been working flawlessly since. (The final version of Windows 95 recognizes the Communicator and sets it up automatically.)

The 28.8 Communicator has a suggested retail price of $469; the slower but otherwise identical 14.4 Communicator retails for $275. To learn whether adapters are available for your cellular phone, call Simple Technology at 1-800-367-7330.