Scan Fan

Fax machines haven't changed much over the years. Yet a new product called VersaCom from Pantel rethinks the whole idea of fax communication, bringing some unique features to the table.

VersaCom ($129) is a multifunctional peripheral that turns a laser or inkjet printer into a plain-paper fax receiver. When connected to your PC and printer, VersaCom lets you receive faxes directly from your printer as easily as you'd print a document. The benefits: 24-hour fax reception (even when the PC is turned off) and fax documents with clean copy on uncrumpled paper. If you already have a fax machine, VersaCom also allows you to scan documents into electronic format for easy storage on your PC.

VersaCom works with any PC running Windows 95 and is compatible with most printers from major manufacturers. The complete package comes with the VersaCom device, VersaCom software for Windows, a six-foot phone cord and a three-foot parallel cable. Currently, VersaCom is available at Fry's Electronics and CompUSA stores. To find out more, visit http://www.pantel.com