Hayes JT Fax 4800 Portable; specifications and reviews for three portable PC-based fax units - evaluation

Home Office Computing, Jan, 1991

Specifications and Reviews for Three Portable PC-Based Fax Units

Hayes JT Fax 4800 Portable

Rating * * * List price $199 Manufacturer; phone Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc.; (404) 449-8791 Hardware requirements 640K IBM compatible with serial port; telephone line with standard modular connector; DOS 2.1 or later Transmission speed (Fax only) 4800 bps Features Broadcast; compressed print; gray-scale capability; transmit PrintScreen File formats supported ASCII, .PCX Dimensions 6 by 3.5 by 1 inches Weight 8.5 ounces; 22.5 ounces with AC adapter (required) Review Hayes, the standard-setter in the personal computer communications world, offers here a handsome, full-featured fax at a bargain price. It is, however, a less-than-world-class performer.

The JT Fax 4800 has three drawbacks. First, both the fax unit itself and the AC adapter are larger and heavier than similar units. Second, it operates only on AC power, so you have to carry the overweight AC adapter if you travel. Third, the top transmission speed for the JT Fax Portable is 4800 bits per second, only half that of the other units reviewed. The JT Fax's transmission and reception were accurate and clear, however. The software supports a wide variety of printers.

Hayes has done a nice job of packaging the JT Fax Portable. Included are a telephone cable, serial cables to fit all current types of IBM and compatible computers, and a padded carrying case.

The JT Fax software, which comes on both 5.25-inch and 3.5-inch disks, posed no installation problems. Although the package is full-featured and generally attractive, I found the instructions for creating the dialing directory quite confusing. The directory was easy enough to use, however, once I'd struggled through the setup process. One unusual aspect of the software is that the package can be used on a floppy-disk-based system, a big plus for owners of laptops without hard-disk drives. The package also allows you to prepare a cover sheet for automatic inclusion with your fax transmissions.