OT/ Cable Modems
 

I'm not real computer literate, am getting highspeed cable internet service and they want $4.95 per month to lease a cable modem, is this a good deal or would I be better off buying one? They will install it either way but they recommend the lease because if anything goes wrong with it they will fix it, I haven't had any hardware problems with my computer and I would think that the cable modem should be relatively trouble free unless I get a bad one and then I should discover that while it is still in warranty.
So should I buy or lease?
If I buy is there a brand that is better than the others or any special features to look for?
Thanks,

Caleb

I pay $5 for mine. The speed is worth every penny. I have the middle speed 756 moden setting and it is plenty fast enough.

Buy the MOTOROLA SB4100--- You can get it on the internet for less than $100.

That $5 a month adds up fast.

You can get a cable modem for about $65. Just make sure it is DOCSIS compatible and you should be fine. The only thing the cable company needs is the MAC address which is usually on the label on the modem.

You can buy a cable modem anywhere from $125 to $199. So do the math. I still rent mine and I work for a company that makes cable modems. Something is wrong here.

I should really buy it. In two years I will have paid $120 and still renting. I guess the question is, How long do you plan on having a cable modem for internet access? Probably the rest of my life unless they come out with something better.

OH and by the way --- get a firewall---You will need it with cable.

Thanks for the replies,

Troutly,
How come so many modems, are they upgrades or are you holding the throttle down to long when you get in the rough stuff???:D :D

Caleb

Caleb

NW_jim and I both have ATT cable internet. Jim rents his and I own mine. A file Jim can download in 5 mins it takes me 3 mins
the upper line modems have a better compression that enables faster downloads. It all depends on what you are doing with it

for me owning mine is better, I'm a power user

I hope that helps

Spacecowboy,
What brand modem do you have, do you own a Superboat?

Caleb

I also rent and also on my second one... It is a real pain when it stops working. You never know for sure the cause. If you own one, you know for sure the cable company will always blame the connection problems with YOUR MODEM. :rolleyes:
So now if it happens I say that to them.....:D :D :D ...then it's replaced for free..;) or should I say $4.95 per month? Consider it an insurance policy, that's all....
Besides, like RonP said, if the technology changes or you get fed up with the cable company, you can always walk away without a major expense.

couple questions I have
I would like to go to cable but am leary about hte constant ON
are you able to unplug the connection at anytime??
and if so is there anything special to regain connection??
Does the system come with a firewall??

Also, I like msn due to traveling. Do you get any dial up service at all with cable?? Or would I have to buy a seperate plan for when traveling??

MnFastBoat,
Your concerns are not unfounded. You absolutly need a fire wall. I wouldnt recommend a "fast" open conection without one.
I use ZoneAlarm on the software side and an SMC router on the hadware end. The full version of ZoneAlarm is about $25 and is down loadable from the internet. The SMC router with a wireless conection is just over $200. I set up my computer at home and hardwired it right to the router and my girlfriend (who sometimes works virtual) plugs into the same connection with the remote. Its a real nice set-up and easy to do. Oh yeah, we put a printer on the router as well so that she can print of her lap top.

Links;
SMC Router/Firewall

http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?site=c


ZoneAlarm firewall software

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp

I pay for the service ($49.00/m) and they gave me the modem. The pricing does vary from company to company (not that you have a chioce) and geography.

MOTOROLA SB4100 modem
 

MnFastBoat:

I had cable modem, but am too busy to use the net at home these days so I disconnected my service, but I bought and still have the MOTOROLA SB4100 modem. I might sell it, but think I may use it in the future. Your question about unplugging it anytime is ok. I always unplugged mine, because of the spikes you get here from the T&L storms that race thru here! I never had any problem re-connecting! It doesn't come wit any firewall either!
:cool:

Thanks for replies!
 

Thanks everyone for responding, went to ask a few more questions and they have a special that started this week, sign up for a whole year and get the modem for free.
Might look for a faster modem later but going from 56K to 7**K should be enough for now.

Thanks again,
Caleb