Which 56K modem?

[ajbrun]

Out of the modems on the site below, which do you think is the best (but also fairly cheap too!)?

Modems are here

Thanks - I want a cheap modem, but also one that connects quickish and isn't totally slow loading pages.

(We have broadband, but this is just a backup incase it fails, or is in use)

[Aaron]

This thread is probably going to get moved...

I'd go with the US robotics one. It always pays to spend a little more to get a decent brand with modems.

I used to like Hayes modems but I've had some dodgy experiences with them in the last few years. :S

[Spud1]

same advice from me =) and also avoid internal ones like the plague, they just cant compete with the external ones. But also be careful not to get USB ones, as they suck more ass than the internal modems. a Decent external, serial connected V.92 US robotics modem would suit =)

[nichomach]

I have to disagree here; this is a backup in case the broadband fritzes, right? So hopefully it's not going to get that much use. £50 for a serial USR modem I'd agree with if this were the main connection and it was necessary to squeeze as much out of it as possible (actually I'd say bite the bullet and get the Multitech ZDX, but I like their stuff and their email support is damn good). Ideally, yes, one wants an external hardware modem, but is it sensible to spend that much on a device which will hopefully only see occasional use at best?

I note that the PCI modems listed in ajbrun's link include a Zoom hardware PCI modem for £17.63 - now the only hardware one they make is the 2920 as shown at Microdirect. It's got an onboard controller and DSP so it shouldn't stress your system out and suck up loads of resources. I've used some Zoom stuff before and it's been OK. I'd go for that. The only reason internal modems generally suck is that they're controllerless Winmodem-type thingies and rely on the host's CPU to do all the processing for them, which this doesn't.

[ajbrun]

What's wrong with internal modems (or even external USB ones for that matter)?

[nichomach]

What's wrong with internal modems (or even external USB ones for that matter)?

Nothing intrinsically, except that they're usually cheap and nasty. They rely on the PC to do all the donkeywork for them and they're usually slow performers. See above?

[ajbrun]

I thought that only software modems made the pc slower, and hardware modems were OK?

[nichomach]

I thought that only software modems made the pc slower, and hardware modems were OK?

Yes, and most internal modems and external USB modems are software modems which is why they generally suck, and why I recommended one which was an exception to that rule; an internal PCI hardware modem.

Errr...I don't want to make assumptions here, but are you supposing that all bits of hardware which are modems are hardware modems? If not, and it's merely that I didn't make clear that the Zoom is an internal hardware modem please accept my apologies and disregard the question.

[ajbrun]

So basically, any modem will do, so long as it's a hardware modem?

[nichomach]

So basically, any modem will do, so long as it's a hardware modem?

Given that it's only a backup, then any hardware modem ought to be OK, but be aware that the definition of a hardware modem is one which has its own controller and DSP (Digital Signal Processing) chip. Also be aware that the VAST majority of the ones shown up by the link you posted do not satisfy that criterion, whether they are internal or external (USB or Serial). The reason I recommended the Zoom was that it was a genuine hardware modem, and was damn cheap for that.

[ajbrun]

There's the hardware one from microdirect like you said, which can be found here (£17.63):

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Product...47&GroupID=286

Or there's another one on ebuyer for £7.00 over here:

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=20266

I know the one on microdirect is more expensive (over double), but is it better, and if so, why?

* Do you think the ebuyer one is a genuine hardware modem?

Thanks again

[nichomach]

From the reviews, I'd guess that you're taking potluck with the ebuyer jobbie. They seem to be shipping multiple types of modem for the same stock code and a lot of these are certainly not hardware modems; anything which uses the Intel/Ambient chipset is a softmodem. I also note that a lot of the customers have received CDs with drivers that simply don't work. In all honesty, I'd not spend my own money on it, and I wouldn't advise you to either.

[ajbrun]

OK, i'll go for microdirect - thanks for the help

[nichomach]

OK, i'll go for microdirect - thanks for the help

EEK! Hold up! The one at Microdirect is a 3025 (my mistake) ; this has an onboard DSP, but not a controller (had to do some more digging; Microdirect don't give a manufacturer's code). Still significantly better than the ebuyer alternative, IMO, and good for your purposes, but not completely hardware. I'd still buy it, though it's a bit cheeky of Microsdirect to call it "hardware" as it isn't completely.

[ajbrun]

ah OK - I was just about to buy it too

Do you think I'll be able to get a proper hardware one for cheaper than that, if not I think I'll just stick with that one.

What does not having a controller mean? - will it just drain my system a bit more?

Thanks for all this

[nichomach]

ah OK - I was just about to buy it too

Do you think I'll be able to get a proper hardware one for cheaper than that, if not I think I'll just stick with that one.

Thanks for all this

I'll see what I can find, but I'm doubtful as to a full hardware one. I'll have a hunt for one with an onboard DSP for less as well while I'm at it.