Your Internet experience is only as good as your modem
Written: Jul 04 '00
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: speed, reliabilty, software, documentation, customer service. Do you want me to go on?
Cons: It is more expensive than the throwaway modems advertised in the Sunday Best Buy circulars
|
|
|
| amerpie's Full Review: 3Com U.S. Robotics Faxmodem 56K Analog Modem (81-0... |
When evaluating a modem, the factors to consider are: reliability, speed, technical support, and price. A shortcoming in any of these areas is simply not acceptable. Most users who own an off-the-shelf computer purchased in the past two years more than likely have an internal PCI Winmodem. A Winmodem relies on the computer’s processor and software in order to operate. It’s called a Winmodem, regardless of manufacturer, because it will only work within Windows. Unfortunately, much of the software used in medical, legal, and insurance offices is still DOS based. That’s why I’ve purchased over 300 U.S. Robotics external 56k Sportster modems in the past year for clients of my company.
Reliability and Speed
In my experience, U.S. Robotics modems are as trouble free as any computer peripheral in any category. I’ve never seen a functional PC that failed to properly identify the modem as soon as Windows opened. This is the way plug and play is supposed to work. I’ve never seen another modem connect at a faster BPS rate under identical conditions (same computer, same phone lines). This is the only peripheral that I am completely comfortable letting a novice install.
Technical Support and Price
I deal with dozens of vendors. Sometimes it can be a nightmare to get a replacement for a part that goes bad. That’s not the case with 3Com, the parent company of U.S. Robotics. More often than not, you can get RMA authorization by email. Your repaired or replacement modem reaches you quickly. There is a great deal of technical information on the 3Com web site but in my experience, these modems either work (99.9% of the time) or they don’t. There isn’t a great deal of tweaking that you can do if the modem goes bad. The majority of the time, if you have a problem connecting, then the problem is with your ISP or with your PC, not the modem.
A quick search at CNET indicates that the current price for these modems ranges from $101-$144. This is more expensive than the no-name internal modems that you see advertised n the Sunday paper, but you are buying the best, not the cheapest!
The information that follows is technical in nature and is quoted from 3Com’s documentation
Compatibility
ITU V.90 56 Kbps
x2™ technology 56 Kbps download
ITU V.34 33.6 Kbps
Compatible with ITU and Bell standards from 56 Kbps down to 1200 bps
V.42/MNP 2-4 error control, V.42 bis/MNP 5 data compression
Faxing: Class 1 and 2.0 Group III 14.4 Kbps send and receive
Requirements
Minimum PC System Requirements
IBM® compatible PC
16-Bit PC slot or serial port
Analog phone line compatible with 56K technology
V.90 or x2 capable Internet service provider or corporate host site
RS232 serial cable (sold separately, not included in package)
Connections™ CD-ROM System Requirements
IBM compatible 486DX or Pentium® processor
Microsoft Windows 3.x or Windows 9x
4MB RAM, 2MB hard drive space
CD-ROM drive
Included Equipment
Package Contents
U.S. Robotics 56K faxmodem
AC power adapter
RJ11C phone cord (7 ft.)
User's Guide
Installation Guide
U.S. Robotics Connections CD-ROM software collection
U.S. Robotics RapidComm™ Fax and Data Communications Software
Send faxes from within any Windows® application
Send and receive while running other applications
Delayed and broadcast sending
Fax forwarding
Caller ID and distinctive ring support (requires service from your local phone company)
Warranty
Lifetime Limited Warranty
Free parts and labor coverage, factory repair or replacement when product registered within 90 days of purchase. Five-year limited warranty without registration.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
amerpie
|
|
Member: Lou Plummer
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Reviews written: 176
Trusted by: 154 members
About Me:
Stop the war. Bring the troops home now!
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.