The Brother Personal FAX275 combines important small-business faxfeatures in a freestanding home fax machine that's equipped with a convenienttelephone handset. Sporting a compact design with bold and clearly markedoperating features, the FAX275 prints on a ThermaPlus paper roll aided by anautomatic paper cutter. Additional advantages include a 10-page automaticdocument feeder and 25-station automatic dialing.

The FAX275 was easy to set up and took only minutes without referring to theowner's manual, though we recommend perusal of the manual if you're setting upthe machine up on a line with a phone that has an external answering machine oron a line with numbers that roll over. (Note that phone lines using call waitingor voice mail may run into trouble operating the FAX275.)

The handset is very lightweight and comfortable with a tapered design. In ourtests, it delivered very clear, clean sound. The automatic fax-phone switch madeit easy to place calls and receive faxes through the same phone line. The FAX275supports caller ID and distinctive ring if offered through your phone serviceprovider.

The unit's faxes were clear and easy to read. In order to avoid curling faxes,the FAX275 uses ThermaPlus paper, which is not as convenient as plain paper butperformed well compared to most roll-type fax papers. The 16-digit LCD displayedclear, bright numbers and messages. The FAX275's ringer was unpleasantlyjarring, but the ring volume was easily to adjust.

The phone index for alphabetical search of stored numbers is a greatconvenience, as is the automatic redial, delayed transmission, and hold button.The FAX275 includes a starter roll of ThermaPlus paper and a 90-day warranty.

Pros:

• Easy setup and use
• Crisp, quality printing
• Easy-to-load paper roll

Cons:

• Cannot use plain paper
• May conflict with some phone services