Toshiba E-Studio 170F (Fax Machine) versus FAX Module GD1200 for Copier E-Studio 281c

[opensource]

Hello,

in our office we have to decide for a new Fax solution since the old Fax device is not working properly anymore.

We have an offer for the standalone Toshiba 170F fax machine and (more expensive) Fax Board GD1200 for our Toshiba E-Studio 281c Copier.

I wanted your opinion and advices in this matter, since I couldn't try out any of these machines yet I need confirmation about special features and data:

E-Studio 170F

• Which additional software is needed to make PC-Faxing possible and how expensive is this software?
• Can faxes be viewed from the memory or is it a must to print out every single fax?

GD 1200 FAX Module:

• Faxes can be received into a box (e-filing). Can the Printout of Faxes be deactivated or will every single fax run through the printing section although send to e-filing? In which format will a fax arrive on harddisk?
• PC-Faxing: possible without additional software or is it the same as with the 170F?

Due to the much lower toner costs of the E-Studio 281c (around 50 Euro per 20000 pages <-> 100 Euro per 8000 pages 170F) it seems to be clear that the Module will in future save us much money.

I found a great disadvantage of an all in One solution here:

• big queues of employees wanting to scan, copy and fax at the same time!
• if the machine has to go for service, the office remains incapable. Not even faxing will be possible.

What do you people think? Is there someone here who has one of the mentioned solutions I'm heading for? Experience Reports would be nice.

Best Regards
Andreas

[Mr Spock]

I have not worked on the 170f but believe this is a panasonic rebadged to a Toshiba. The pc faxing is a driver for most machines but on this one I believe you need to add the network print option to get this function. I believe this can be setup to forward faxes but not hold and view on the machine.

On the Gd1200 module. This can either forward to a server/pc, to an email account, or e-filing. This can also be setup to save and print a copy or to not print a copy unless the forwarding fails. the formats to save it in are tiff or pdf. On the 281c machine it is already networkable so it is just loading a driver and you are done (for pc-faxing). This would also offer the disadvantage of a total machine failure losing the fax option. However as long as the machine is on line it will still fax (copy issue taking the copy/print side only down). As long as the hard drive,network card, fax unit are working the faxing side works. I have had a machine that was down for a drum drive issue still fax while waiting for the part.

[opensource]

So, the company from which we order our Toshiba product made us a surprise, yesterday. They came to install the GD 1201 module on a 3 weeks trial basis. From the first minute using the new features, we're almost sure, we'll buy it. We can also combine it well with our ReRite software. Great Fax. And while sending faxes from the pc there is nearly no possibility of having to many people using the machine at the same time. Great! Mr Spock, thank you for your post, also.

[SalesServiceGuy]

The Toshiba e170F is made by Toshiba with a Konica Minolta print engine. The e281c with Fax Board has a much lower cost of operation, does not require you to purchase a seperate Fax Toner and Fax drum unit and saves space. The e170F does not have the ability to Double side scan faxed originals. You would have to copy double sided originals into singles and fax each page seperately.

The PC FAx/ LAN FAx capability on the e281x/ Fax Board is far simpler and more stable to use than on the e170F. The e170F has no NIC card so it has no real LAN FAx cabability.

If you are concerned about your fax being down while the copier is under repair, ask your Dealer to proivde a N/C loaner or buy a cheap walk up fax for $100.00.