"Best" Cable Modems?

[DuckTape]

Hello folks.

Presently, what have you found to be the best (most stable, most reliable and fastest) types, brands and models of cable modems?

How much more stable, reliable and faster are the "best ones" than the "almost best ones", (possibly also much less expensive ones), and is this a noticeable difference?

Is there such a thing as a combination external cable modem and external 56K dial-up (fax) modem?

If so, any recommendations?

Thanks much!
DuckTape

 

[Auburn9698]

Had a 3COM cable modem that S-S-Sucked! Kept dropping me. Replaced it with a Toshiba and haven't had any problems since. But that's just my experience. Hopefully, others will chime in with theirs.

War Eagle

 

[Smokey]

I got one of those Surfboard Motorola ones for 60$ used. I've kicked that thing, spilled soda on it, it's amazing.

Huge bandwidth from Cablevision and the modem really takes advantage of it. I highly recommend it.

<font color=purple><i>If I had a notch on my belt for every PC I'd destroyed, I'd have a really crappy looking belt</i></font color=purple>

 

[upec]

I have great experience with Toshiba cable modem. I have use it with 3 different ISP and never have any problem.

 

[upec]

I do not think any company sells external cable modem and dial-up modem combo.

 

[Toejam31]

You should be aware that if you choose to use a Cable Provider to give you broadband service, you may not be able to go out and buy just any cable modem, whether a product has great reviews or not.

I suggest you contact the Provider, and see what they are using for the service. Afterwards, you can go shopping for a compatible modem, if you wish.

I've never seen a combination dial-up/cable modem (although that doesn't mean it doesn't exist ... I've just never heard of such a device). However, depending on the service in your area, it may be necessary to use both. Some Providers with antiquated one-way cable lines require a dial-up modem to connect to the service before the cable modem kicks in, and in those case, uploading is entirely by the dial-up modem, and downloading through the cable modem.

You might enjoy taking a look at this page:

<A HREF="http://www.cablesense.com/links.html" target="_new">CableSense Links</A>

As for the modems themselves, I've used Com21 DOXport and RCA cable modems without any real difficulty, one with Charter Cable and the other through MediaCom. But all in all, I prefer ADSL over any kind of cable service in my area ... but that's just MY area, and may be an entirely different situation where you live. If I could get a cable line that downloaded ten times as fast as the best xDSL service in my area, then I'd switch. But so far, my opinion is that xDSL service generally has less downtime than cable, at least, from Bellsouth.

You'll hear a lot more about this from other users (if you wish) I imagine. Perhaps you might considering mentioning the general location of where you live, and perhaps someone here can give you an opinion about the type and quality of the broadband services in your area.

Toey

<font color=red>First Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=17935" target="_new"><font color=green>Toejam31's Devastating Dalek Destroyer</font color=green></A>
<font color=red>Second Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=15942" target="_new"><font color=green>Toey's Dynamite DDR Duron</font color=green></A>
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