Inkjet vs. Ink-Film for Faxes

I'm sick of getting faxes through my computer (Its been one of those days) so I am going to pop out to the store and just get a dedicated fax already. This is the one I want to get:
Philips PPF 575 Magic 3 Voice
http://www.faxshop.co.uk/acatalog/philips_fax.html
(3rd one down)

Argos lists it as Thermal but I think technically its "ink-film technology"

The reason I want that one is I may go decent stretches without recieving a fax and I don't want the ink to dry up. I send a lot more and recieve the occasional. Is this "ink-film technology" the right choice? Will it basically last for as long as the roll does?

All my labeling stuff is thermal and I love it (Dymo, etc) and the only ink jet are my production machines that nearly run all day (never dry up because of that)

Wanted to get peoples opinions before I pop out to Argos.

By the way
1.) Quality isn't a big issue, 99% of faxes are text
2.) Multi Function Printers aren't an option as I hate anything Multi-Function - I own a lot of printers, and a good scanner so I want a stand alone fax

Thanks!

 

Ink Film = consumables requirement (@ £18 for 140 pages). We bought a fax at say £50 and the first time we had to buy Ink it turned out to be as expensive as a new fax. We use 3d party el-cheapo ink but the next fax will be thermal like my parents' fax and like our labelers. Consumables industry is a rip-off so I'd go thermal.

 

Will I get the full amount of pages out of the thermal (Unlike Inkjet that can dry up if not used)?

Actually rereading your post - Thermal and Ink-Film are completely different?

(I know you can never rely on Argos for an accurate description)

 

Ink Film seems similar to the old dot matrix 'tapes'. Thermal never runs out. It just requires different paper with a certain coating. Paper might be a bit more expensive but you won't use a lot of it you said so that should cost you less overall.

Thermal = no consumables.
Ink Film = not overly expensive consumables.
Ink = Flush money down the drain or mess about with DIY refill sets.

 

THis is all I could find:

Ink Film Fax Machines
Ink Film fax machines work by transferring print through a replaceable ink-covered ribbon which ensures a fixed cost per copy. It’s ideal for low volume usage.

It sounds like the old dye-sub printers..The ink is activated by a small amount of heat or pressure and applied. That technology never had issues with drying up and when it said 140 pages, you got exactly 140 pages.

I think I will go with that. True Thermal may be overkill as the machine itself is pretty expensive

I guess this is a good sign
http://www.google.ie/search?hl=en&q="ink+film+sucks"&btnG=Search&meta=
vs.
http://www.google.ie/search?hl=en&q="inkjet+sucks"&meta=

 

I just bought it an hour ago so I will report back in case anyone come across this thread (There isn't a ton of info on Ink Film Fax Machines out there.

Something tells me this thread is going to rank for the term

 

You get that too? He's been talking a lot lately. Change the topic to include Ink Film and you're all set. Post some aff links and DP could be making you a mil or two.

 

I changed it...I don't know why, I actually don't care if it ranks

I do find it weird that no one else had an opinion. Do that few people have fax machines these days? I got sick of scanning things to send throught he computer. Sometimes the old way is the easiest.

 

I forgot to post back to this thread. THe fax is exactly what I wanted. It seems to be pressure activated (rather then heat) so its loud as hell. It sounds like a Dymo on crack.

If I was receiving faxes all day I would have returned it but for my purposes (lots of sends, few receives) its perfect.

Thanks Johannn

 

No probs, Jasonnnnnnnnn.

I've got to start handing out a red for every n to many...

 

Hey just saw this, If you want you can EASILY rewind the film and use it about three times before it really needs to be replaced.

 

Does the cartridge have a chip? I would have thought it would know that you did that (to further persuade you to part with cash)

I do know the old ribbon machines did let you get away with that

 

Off topic, I know, and I'm sorry. But I've been meaning to ask you, yfs1. Is your avatar from Kids In The Hall?

 

I loved that show but alas it is not. I take it you are not from the UK.

www.alanpartridge.co.uk

 

I hated the film type of fax and if you rewind it more than once you will have problems reading it.

 

No, I'm from the home of the Kids in the Hall. Toronto. (Actually, a suburb of Toronto)

 

If I was getting a ton of faxes I would have gotten laser but I couldn't justify the cost for the 10 faxes I receive a month.

Inkjet just plain sucks for intermintent use

 

I have an office jet K60, Prints awesome photos, uses very little ink, does faxes, scans, prints etc, for me the only way to go.