fax modem

Modem capable of transmitting and receiving data in the form of a fax.

A normal fax machine sends data in binary form down a telephone line, in a similar way to a modem. A modem can therefore act as a fax machine, given suitable software. This means a document does not need to be printed before faxing and an incoming fax can be viewed before printing out on a plain-paper printer. However, the computer must be permanently turned on in order to receive faxes.

A separate scanner is needed to fax information created outside the computer (such as a picture).