V.2.    How useful is a fax modem?A fax modem may not be as useful as you'd think. (Personally, I don't find fax modems to be useful or reliable. But I know people who can't do without their fax modems.) Fax modems are good for sending, but not receiving fax. You may still need (or want) a fax machine even if you have a fax modem.Fax machines are easy to use. Fax modems are not. Anyone that knows how to use a phone can learn to use a fax machine within a few minutes. A fax machine will work no matter what kind of computer you have. It also doesn't matter what operating system or environment you are running on your computer.To use a fax modem, you may need to use a (sometimes more than one) software program. I use DOS, Windows, and OS/2 on my PC. The DOS software for the fax board is clumsy and hard to use, the Windows software is easy but unbearably slow. (A two-page resume took about 10 minutes to send with the fax board. I can print it out and send it with a fax machine in less than 3 minutes.) And the machine locked up many times while I tried do something else. (If you use Microsoft Windows, you should know that unrecoverable application errors are not gone. They are called general protection faults in Windows 3.1)If you need to fax a printed document, you'll need to have a scanner to get it into your computer. To print out a fax received by your fax modem, you'd need a printer. Also,  your computer needs to be on to receive fax.However, there are several advantages for using a fax modem (if you can live with its shortcomings):1. You won't have a paper jam if you're faxing a multi-page document.2. The software for fax boards are more flexible and versatile. A fax board can be a life-saver if you regularly fax the same document to several people.3. You don't have to print out the document you want to fax if it's generated with your computer. And the quality is better.It's worth noting that many documents that are faxed should be sent by e-mail. (A high-tech employment agency recently asked me to fax my resume and then had it re-typed into the computer. I suggested that I sent the resume by e-mail, but they didn't use e-mail.)VI.     Profiles of High-speed ModemsHere are profiles of some high-speed modems. The list is not comprehensive, nor is it intended to be. Unless noted otherwise, the street price quoted are from PC Connection (800-243-8088) in PC Magazine (5/26/92). PC Connection generally does not offer the lowest price, but the service is excellent. I have dealt with PC Connection and MacConnection (800-800-4444) for years and have yet to be disappointed with their services.Unless noted otherwise, a V.32/V.42bis modem supports V.32, MNP2-5, V.42/V.42bis. And a V.32bis/V.42bis modem supports V.32bis, MNP 2-5, V.42/V.42bis. Some units also support MNP 10 which is developed to overcome the hostile environment (such as celullar phone lines).Some of the units mentioned here are fax modems.VI.1.   ATI 9600etc/eATI Technologies is well known for their video adapters. But they also make a V.32/V.42bis external modem. It is a generic high-speed modem that works well. PC Connection is selling the ATI 9600etc/e at $369.I have been using an ATI 9600etc/e for more than a year now and I am very pleased with it. I will not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.There are two things I really like about the ATI modem:* It has a slide volume control on the outside so you can easily  adjust the volume by hand.* It has factory settings for three different modes: V.32 only, V.32 with MNP5, V.32 with V.42bis. It is very convenient if you need to initialize the modem in different ways.VI.2.   CompuCom SpeedModemsAs we mentioned earlier, CompuCom SpeedModem Champ offered a lowcost alternative to PC users. CompuCom also made modems that implemented the V.32 and V.32bis protocols in addition to its proprietary protocol. Since CompuCom is no longer in business, it's probably not a good idea to purchase a CompuCom modem now.VI.2.a. ChampThe SpeedModem Champ is a 9600 bps high-speed modem with CompuCom's proprietary CSP modulation protocol. It is introduced in early 1991. The CompuCom Champ is supported by hundreds of BBS in the U.S., including heavyweights such as EXEC-PC and Channel 1.VI.2.b. StormThe SpeedModem Storm is a dual-mode modem. It supports both CSP and V.32/V.42bis.VI.2.c. StarThe SpeedModem Star is also a dualmode modem. It supports both CSP and V.32bis/V.42bis.VI.3.   Hayes ModemsHayes used to be the leader in the modem market. The Hayes SmartModem 1200 and 2400 have been the industry standards for many years. However, Hayes has not been as successful in the high-speed modem market.VI.3.a. V-series Smartmodem 9600Introduced in 1987, this is a high-speed modem that supports the proprietary Hayes Express 96 modulation protocol. The V-series Smartmodem 9600 is still available from various mail order vendors. There is also an internal unit called V-series Smartmodem 9600B.VI.3.b. Smartmodem 9600Introduced in 1988, the Smartmodem 9600 is a V.32 modem. It does not support any error control or data compression protocol. Don't confuse this unit with the V-series Smartmodem 9600.VI.3.c. Ultra 96Ultra 96 is a dual-mode modem from Hayes. Introduced in 1990, the Ultra 96 supports both V.32/V.42bis and the Hayes Express 96 modulation protocol. Ultra 96 has many unique features that are not needed if you are calling BBS or online services. The current street price is $669.VI.3.d. Ultra 144Ultra 144 is a dual-mode modem that supports both V.32bis/V.42bis and the Hayes Express 96 protocol. The current street price is $799.VI.3.e. Optima 96Optima 96 is a plain vanilla V.32/V.42bis modem. This is Hayes' answer to the "generic" V.32/V.42bis modem. The current street price is $389.VI.3.f. Optima 144Optima 144 is a plain vanilla V.32bis/V.42bis modem. This is Hayes' answer to the "generic" V.32bis/V.42bis modem.VI.4.   Intel ModemsBesides the 80x86 CPU, Intel also makes many peripherals for the IBM PC. The Intel modems are solid products that perform well. The new SatisFAXtion 400 and 400e are priced aggressively to compete with the low-cost units offered by other vendors.VI.4.a. 9600EXThe 9600EX is a V.32/V.42bis modem.VI.4.b. 14.4EXThe 14.4EX is a V.32bis/V.42bis modem. PC Connection is selling the 9600EX for $469 and the 14.4EX for $549.VI.4.C. SatisFAXtion 400 and 400eIntel's original SatisFAXtion is arguably the best fax modem in the PC market. Intel recently introduced two V.32bis/V.42bis fax modems - the SatisFAXtion 400 and 400e. The SatisFAXtion 400 is an internal unit for IBM microcomputers. It carries a list price of $499. The SatisFAXtion 400e is an external unit (with a list price of $549).Both the SatisFAXtion 400 and 400e support Group3/Class 2/CAS fax at 14400 bps.VI.5.   Microcom modemMicrocom is a major modem manufacturer. However, Microcom products are not normally sold through retail stores or mail order companies.MicroPorte 4232bisAs the name suggests, the MicroPorte 4232bis is a V.32bis/V.42bis modem. It also supports MNP 10. The MicroPorte 4232bis is a pocket modem (the unit measured 4.5x2.75x1.5 inches). The MicroPorte 4232bis lists for $899.VI.6.   Practical Peripherals ModemsPractical Peripherals has been making Hayes-compatible modems for many years (it's owned by Hayes, by the way). The Practical Peripherals modems are compatible with the Hayes Ultra modems. Since the Hayes Ultra modems are supported by most communications software, you wouldn't need to worry about configuring the software to work with the Practical Peripherals modems.VI.6.a. PM9600SA and PM9600The PM9600SA is a V.32/V.42bis modem. It is designed to be compatible with the Hayes Ultra 96. That means you can tell your communications software that you have a Hayes Ultra 96. However, the PM9600SA only responds to a subset of the commands supported by the Hayes Ultra 96. Any commands specific to the Hayes Ultra 96 that are not implemented in the PM9600SA will be ignored.Some early PM9600SA units have quite a few problems connecting to other V.32 modems. (Make sure you send in the warranty card.) Practical Peripheral has since sent out several ROM upgrades and the current shipping units seem to be working fine.Practical Peripherals also makes an internal modem that features a 16550 UART. You can get the PM9600SA for $289 and the internal PM9600 for $275. Both PM9600SA and PM9600 now come with a lifetime guarantee.VI.6.b. PM14400FXSA and PM14400FXThe PM14400FXSA ($399) is an external V.32bis/V.42bis modem. PM14400FX ($359) is an internal unit. (Both of them come with a lifetime guarantee.) The modems come with QuickLink II. I'm currently testing a PM14400FX. It seems to work O.K. (However, the speaker died after a week of usage.)The PM14400FXSA and PM14400FX support Group 3/Class 1 fax at 9600 bps.VI.7.   Prometheus ModemsPrometheus modems are available from many Macintosh mail order companies. Until recently, Prometheus is the only manufacturer that makes high-speed modems with fax capability.VI.7.a. Promodem 9600 PlusPromodem 9600 Plus is a V.32/V.42bis modem. It can also send and receive Group III fax at 9600 bps.VI.7.b. Promodem Ultima and Ultima Home OfficePrometheus Ultima is a V.32bis/V.42bis fax modem. It can also send and receive Group III fax at 9600 bps. The Ultima Home Office adds voice capability. PC Connection sells the Ultima Home Office (internal) for $489. MacConnection sells the Ultima Home Office (external) for $489.VI.8.   Supra ModemAlthough Supra is not be a household name, it's a major vendor in the market for Commodore Amiga.SupraFaxModem V.32bisSupra announced the SupraFaxModem V.32bis at the Fall Comdex last year. With a suggested list price of $399 (without software), the SupraFaxModem became one of the most anticipated product in the past 6 months. However, Supra did not ship the product on schedule. The SupraFaxModem was supposed to ship in January but was delayed until March. There were also some problems with the early units. If you're buying the SupraFaxModem, I'd recommend you purchase it from a vendor that offers a money-back guarantee. (This recommendation applies to all the inexpensive V.32bis modems.)The SupraFaxModem V.32bis supports Group 3/Class2 fax.VI.9.   Telebit ModemsTelebit makes several modems. The prices quoted for the Telebit modems are their new list prices.VI.9.a. TrailBlazer Plus$849. Introduced in 1985, the Trailblazer has been the de facto standard in the UNIX UUCP and Usenet communities. With the new pricing, you should consider the T2500 or the T3000 instead of the TrailBlazer Plus if you need to connect to a Telebit PEP modem.VI.9.b. T1000Introduced in 1988, the T1000 is the little brother of the TrailBlazer Plus. The T1000 supports PEP at a slower speed. The actual throughput is about 9600 cps. The current list price is $699. Unlike the TrailBlazer Plus, the T1000 does not have callback or password security.VI.9.c. T2500$949. Introduced in 1989 when V.32 modems started to enter the market, the T2500 supports both V.32/V.42bis and PEP. The maximum throughput is 19,200 bps due to the limitation imposed by the older Rockwell chipset used.VI.9.d. T1600$699. The T1600 is a V.32/V.42bis modem introduced  in 1991. It provides builtin support for UUCP and offers password and callback security.VI.9.e. T3000$949. This is a V.32bis/V.42bis modem. If you need PEP, you can upgrade the T3000 to a WorldBlazer (see below).