If you are considering signing up for an online fax service, it might be helpful to know that HP makes two series of all-in-one printer/ scanners that are set up to link users directly to an eFax account.
HP offers this with several printers: four models in the Envy All-In-One series, and four models in the Photosmart All-In-One series. Both printer series offer printing, copying, scanning, and of course, faxing. The models range in price from $99 to $225.
eFax is an online fax service offered by j2 Global Communications, Inc., not by HP – but you can register for eFax from the product control panel of these eight models of HP printers. When you do, you get a free 20 incoming or 20 outgoing fax pages per month.
To get faxing capability beyond that, you can sign up for an eFax plan. The provider offers two plans, Plus and Pro. Plus includes 150 inbound and 150 outbound pages per month for $16.95 per month, or $14.13 with the annual discount. The Pro plan includes 200 inbound and 200 outbound pages each month for $19.95 per month, or $16.63 with the annual plan.
It is possible to log in to eFax and send the 20 free ingoing and outbound faxes that come as part of the HP printer; however, most users seem to prefer doing it from the printer. It is worth noting that some customers have had trouble with eFax charging them for an upgrade when they were only using the free version through HP. Based on user forums, HP worked with customers to resolve the issue.
The service works through a wireless network, so to get started you must have a wireless Internet connection. You then enable Web Services and ePrint on the printer touchscreen, a process that varies between different models. Once the printer connects with the eFax server, your assigned eFax number appears on the screen. It then connects you with an eFax home screen, from which you can send faxes. If you already have an eFax account, you can also link that to the printer.
It is possible to set up email notifications about incoming faxes; to do so, you need to use the printer’s control panel to set up a network configuration.
HP also offers a video detailing the setup.
