I hope this information isn’t too technical for those just learning, and I also hope I have included enough information for those shopping for a faster, more stable connection to the internet, to make a reasonably informed decision when purchasing a new modem. If speed and stability are your main concerns (and they should be), don’t let the salesman talk you into something you don’t want, or are unsure of. Insist on testing the model you are looking at, or just print this and show it to the guy at the computer store, before you buy. If he cringes and argues, you’re dealing with the wrong guy. Find a salesman that can confirm what you want, and provide it at a reasonable price. Shopping at the “big box” store is not always your best bet.
With a new standard being proposed, the modem market may shrink even more. The V.92 standard proposes the download speed remain the same at 53,333 maximum, but allow upload speed to increase above the current 33,600 limit. The manufacturers that are producing modems capable of a software upgrade or flash to this new standard will remain at the top, while those late to the game may lose significant market share. U.S Robotics used to be the king of the hill in modem sales, taking the market away from Hayes, not so many years after Hayes invented modems. Now that the consumer demands higher performance for less money, USR could no longer compete, and companies like Zoom, Diamond, and even Zoltrix are claiming more customers than ever. Competition is fierce, and prices are dropping in the range of 100% per year. A Supra external used to be over $135, and can now be found (in the OEM version) for less than $50. If you don’t need the full software package for your modem, an OEM model may do just fine. Beware that warranties and service are usually much shorter and harder to find for OEM models than retail ones.
Remember that there are many factors involved in a fast, stable connection to the ‘net. Your modem can only go as fast as your system and phone lines allow. Excess noise, multiple analog to digital conversions, distance from the phone companies switching office, minimal system resources, and an overloaded CPU can all contribute to slow connects and retrains. A modem capable of overcoming some of these problems will give you many more hours of pleasure instead of headaches.
Cheers, and Happy Surfing!
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