Cable modem

Introduction

If you take a look at your Internet subscription bill per month, you will find the $5 equipment charge. Maybe you not care about that before, but since now you are able to save some money and give up the security of leasing a cable modem from your ISP. To help you make an informed decision to purchase the best cable modem, we rated the cable modems that are available to the public from the manufacturers.

No.1 Motorola SURFboard Cable Modem

Price: $79.99

Pros: Ethernet and USB connectivity; compatibility for almost all PC or Mac network-ready system; without telephone lines supported; fast speed; user-friendly online diagnostics page; Ethernet and USB cables included; installation CD-ROM; power adapter.

Cons: Don't include additional networking hardware.

Summary: You will like a super-fast broadband connection with this Motorola SURFboard Cable Modem. The cable modem is economical and very easy to set up and activate. You will get more out of your time online and feel pleased with using an environmentally-friendly cable modem. It can be integrated with DOCSIS 2.0 A-TDMA and S-CDMA technology. The most significant feature is that the modem enables you to surf the Web and view pages quickly, download video with blazing speed and play online games faster than your opponents. [More...]

No.2 Motorola SURFboard 24GHz Wireless-G Cable Modem Gateway

Price: $99.99

Pros: Wireless access; fast data rates; broadband Internet access is always on; support all PC or Mac system; improved security; Ethernet cables included.

Cons: Didn't mention support which generation of DOCSIS.

Summary: Build your own wireless network with this high-speed Motorola SURFboard 24GHz Wireless-G Cable Modem Gateway. This powerful tool combines a SURFboard Cable Modem has an 802.11g access point. It is convenient that the modem is always on, always connected and always ready. It is amazing that everybody on your network is able to share a single broadband connection with downloads data up to 100 times faster than conventional analog phone modems. It also supports enhanced security with Wi-Fi protected access and up to 128-bit WEP encryption. If you have a try of this modem, you will find more features. [More...]

No.3 MOTOROLA SB5101U SURFboard Cable Modem

Price: $49.99

Pros: Stylish new design; support S-CDMA technology and A-TDMA; compatibility for Windows 2000, Windows Me and XP, etc.; Ethernet and USB connectivity; maximal support 63 computers; high speed; no telephones lines required.

Cons: Require additional networking hardware.

Summary: It is ease to setup this MOTOROLA SB5101U SURFboard Cable Modem and you would enjoy the fast Internet environment. This cable modem provides USB and Ethernet connectivity simplifies installation, front panel status LEDs. The modem is very convenient to use, it is always on, always connected without telephones lines. The apparently feature is that it offers the capable of downloading at speeds up to 500 times faster than 56.6k analogue phone modem. In addition, you can install this modem compatible with Windows 95/98/2000/Me/NT/XP, Mac, Linux and UNIX. [More...]

No.4 MOTOROLA SBG6580 SURFboard DOCSIS 3.0 Wireless Cable Modem Gateway

Price: $129.99

Pros: Integrated wireless access; features Gigabit Ethernet ports; works with Windows, Mac, and Unix PCs; extensible networking; supports Wi-Fi Wizard; enhanced security; has Wi-Fi Pairing button; clear front-panel LEDs; super high speed.

Cons: Haven't found any yet.

Summary: The MOTOROLA SBG6580 SURFboard DOCSIS 3.0 Wireless Cable Modem Gateway enable the transfer of creative multimedia services and ultra-broadband data likes high-bandwidth home networking. The modem is the perfect solution for home, home office, or small business. It enables users to make a custom network to share a single ultra-broadband connection, networked peripherals, and files with wired or Wi-Fi connectivity. I can’t wait to say that its 802.11n Wi-Fi access point in a sleek, stylish package for the sophisticated consumer. If you have an experience of this modem, you will have a great feeling. [More...]

NO.5 Motorola SB6120 SURFboard DOCSIS 3.0 eXtreme Broadband Cable Modem

Price: $75.21

Pros: Supports DOCSIS 3.0; has a reasonable price; provides high speed commercial or residential service tier; supports user-friends online interface; offers high download speed; is easy to use.

Cons: None.

Summary: The Motorola SB6120 SURFboard DOCSIS 3.0 eXtreme Broadband Cable Modem relieves the latest wave of broadband technologies at outstanding pace. The SB6120 is actually as high as 4X quicker compared to DOCSIS 2.0 broadband cable modem which makes it effective at achieving data rates as much as 150 Mbps. The features make video gaming, working, downloading, shopping, high-quality sound, and movie conferencing, as well as peer-to-peer social networking apps -- much more practical, efficient and quicker than in the past. The SB6120 provides your own total individual media encounter, from ultra-fast broadband pace. So catch the chance to have a try of this Motorola SB6120. [More...]

N0.6 Cisco CM100 Certified Refurbished LINKSYS Cable Modem

Price: $49.99

Pros: Is reliable; simple to set up; supports USB & Ethernet connections.

Cons: Doesn’t support DOCSIS 3.0.

Summary: This Cisco CM100 Certified Refurbished LINKSYS Cable Modem includes all the features other cable modems have. This Linksys CM100 can connect to any other computer by having a Fast Ethernet connection. Windows computer users can have the choice to connect through USB port. It supports the DOCSIS 2.0 standard. You can choose this Cisco CM100 as an ideal cable modem. [More...]

How to Choose the Best Cable Modem

If you think the cable modem your broadband Internet access provider gives is free, you may be wrong. In fact, the cable modem contained with your subscription is not free. Usually, your subscription could be reduced by about $5 per month if you provide your own modem. When it comes to you spend $60 on a cable modem, this means the modem pays for this itself for one year. It isn’t cost-efficient if the cable modem dies in one year. On the other contrary, if it lasts two years, you’re ahead.

In the modern society, most people may not care about paying $5 a month to let the Internet Service Provider (ISP) maintain the cable modem. Actually, you can save some money for cable modems that are available to the public from the manufacturers. You could buy your own cable modem and give up the security of leasing a cable modem from your ISP.

What to Look for in a Cable Modem

To help you obtain your own good cable modem, we provide side-by-side comparisons and reviews of cable modems that are not restricted to ISP channel sales. You can regard our review as a consultant to find the best cable modem fit you.

Before purchasing a cable modem, there are three things you should take into consideration. They are adherence to standards, ease of use, and help and support.

Standards
ISPs are in the way of using advanced technology to increase broadband access speeds over existing communications infrastructures. The Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) 3.0 has replaced DOCSIS 2.0 in Europe, Japan and in various regions within the United States, or at least in the process of replacing. CableLabs is the non-profit research and development consortium that verifies equipment interoperability and compliance.

It is possible for you to use a cable modem that accord with the DOCSIS 3.0 specification if your ISP has already deployed DOCSIS 3.0 in your region. Of course, you could be fine in the period with a cable modem that is DOCSIS 2.0 compliant if your ISP is still a couple of years away from DOCSIS 3.0. However, a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem can also work in a DOCSIS 2.0 environment, and it is beneficial as soon as DOCSIS 3.0 become available in your region.

Each new generation of DOCSIS makes important advancement over the previous generation. DOCSIS 3.0 is advanced than the two versions. For example, it enhances security using the Advanced Encryption Standard; DOCSIS 3.0 supports IPv6, which makes more IP addresses available. The most important feature is its quadruples theoretical upstream/downstream data rates that results an amazing speed.

Ease of Use
It will be easier for users and ISP to diagnose connection conditions if the cable modem contains LEDs that display the operational status. Also, it is perfect if your cable modem includes a CD with the setup utility, documentation and drivers to support connecting via the USB port, while not the Ethernet port.

Help and Support
You should make clearly that how long the warranty for the cable modem is before your purchase, and one year is standard. But some providers offer two and five years warranties. Moreover, you also should take technical assistance into your consideration.

In the market today, there are very few choices of DOCSIS 3.0 so far. Cisco and Texas Instruments have DOCSIS 3.0 accord with cable modems, but their sales are apparently restricted to ISPs. DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem of Motorola sells to both ISPs and the public directly. Fortunately, you are able to get the available cable modem. Go on reading our articles, you will find the related cable modems we list to you in “Own Your Cable modems”.