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Motorola DOCSIS External Cable Modem (SB4100)

Motorola DOCSIS External Cable Modem (SB4100)

List Price: $99.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Flawless.
Review: I returned the cable company's rent-a-modem 2 hours after unpacking the Motorola. I have dynamic IP svc (unfortunately), so all that was required for setup was plugging it in and rebooting. (A call to the cable service was required to register the unit MAC ID). The DOCSIS 1.0 certification assures you it will work with most any cable provider. Also, I like the choice of ethernet (RJ14) or USB connectivity. Lastly, the internal transformer means the power plug is a normal size, so it can be plugged in on my desk without hogging the whole powerstrip. Nice modem, nice price!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: It just sits there, hidden behind my printer, chugging away.
Review: In the category of "better late than never," perhaps it's worth while for me to make a comment or two about a flawless piece of computer hardware that has been in place and running continously, without problems, for more than three years now. Normally, I do my best-when reviewing computer hardware and software-to review in a timely manner, so that others might benefit from my experiences. But something different happened with this Motorola cable modem.

I actually made the switch to broadband, as I said, more than three years ago. This Motorola SB4100 cable modem was "part of the deal" from my cable service providor when I made the switch. The unit ended up getting tucked behind my printer, and for all this time, I pretty much ignored it and simply took it for granted. (The vertical design, with the small footprint, makes it very easy to tuck away in the way I did. And also makes it easy to forget that it's there.)

About the only time I paid it any attention was when I installed a router to add another Mac to my office. But this was barely enough attention to simply swap out cables, in order to run the ethernet cable to the router, rather than to the original Mac that ended up with a "partner."

I really didn't even pay it any mind when, not long ago, my cable provider offered to boost my speed, as part of a new and different package of services. The cable modem handled the increased speed with aplomb, and with nary a need for me to notice, again, its existence, hidden away the way it is.

So, consider this a usage-based testimonial, after those three plus years, for a device that fits into the "plug it in; then forget about it" category (and fits into virtually no space at all). By now, it owes me nothing. Yet, despite the fact that Motorola has supplanted the SB4100 with, first, the SB4200 (substantially the same item), and, later, the SB5100, I see absolutely no need to get "the latest and greatest": this Model SB4100 fit my needs then, and continues to do so now.

It's not often that three-years-after-the-fact testimonials of this type are so easy to provide, and honestly at that.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: It just sits there, hidden behind my printer, chugging away.
Review: In the category of "better late than never," perhaps it's worth while for me to make a comment or two about a flawless piece of computer hardware that has been in place and running continously, without problems, for more than three years now. Normally, I do my best-when reviewing computer hardware and software-to review in a timely manner, so that others might benefit from my experiences. But something different happened with this Motorola cable modem.

I actually made the switch to broadband, as I said, more than three years ago. This Motorola SB4100 cable modem was "part of the deal" from my cable service providor when I made the switch. The unit ended up getting tucked behind my printer, and for all this time, I pretty much ignored it and simply took it for granted. (The vertical design, with the small footprint, makes it very easy to tuck away in the way I did. And also makes it easy to forget that it's there.)

About the only time I paid it any attention was when I installed a router to add another Mac to my office. But this was barely enough attention to simply swap out cables, in order to run the ethernet cable to the router, rather than to the original Mac that ended up with a "partner."

I really didn't even pay it any mind when, not long ago, my cable provider offered to boost my speed, as part of a new and different package of services. The cable modem handled the increased speed with aplomb, and with nary a need for me to notice, again, its existence, hidden away the way it is.

So, consider this a usage-based testimonial, after those three plus years, for a device that fits into the "plug it in; then forget about it" category (and fits into virtually no space at all). By now, it owes me nothing. Yet, despite the fact that Motorola has supplanted the SB4100 with, first, the SB4200 (substantially the same item), and, later, the SB5100, I see absolutely no need to get "the latest and greatest": this Model SB4100 fit my needs then, and continues to do so now.

It's not often that three-years-after-the-fact testimonials of this type are so easy to provide, and honestly at that.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent Cable Modem
Review: Installing this modem was a piece of cake. Plugged it in and after AT&TBI activated the MAC address, it was running within 5 minutes. This modem is lightning fast! Highly recommend it!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Easy to install.
Review: Just open the box and plug it in. Easy to use. No problems since I've had it (2 months now).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Product - no question
Review: No need to write any review - simply superb. Just buy it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: High Quality Cable Modem
Review: Purchased this modem after I had a Linksys BEFCMU10 die after less than 5 hours of use. First impression out of the box was that this modem was much sturdier than the Linksys. The Linksys can be operated in either a horizontal or vertical position, but the design does not seem to be optimized for vertical (ie. standing on it's side) operation with respect to ventilation of the heat generated by the modem. The Linksys unit that failed got very hot before failure. The SB4100 is designed for vertical operation (a nice space saving feature, but less flexible than the Linksys) and has performed well to date. Though a bit higher in price than the Linksys BEFCMU10, the slightly higher price does seem to pay dividends in a higher quality product.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Surfs up!
Review: The best thing you can say about a cable modem is that once you plug it in, call your cable company with the serial numbers for provisioning (on the box and on the modem itself), you're good to go for broadband access! In addition, you get a product that has a solid twenty-four month warranty from Motorola. Highly recommended because of the warranty, ease of installation, and reputation of the manufacturer.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Newer model is available
Review: The SB4100 modem is being replaced by the SB4200, currently in the retail pipeline. Check the motorola website for details.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: overall a good unit
Review: This was easy to set up and is generally very good. Occasionally, I will lost my connection with it and after calling the cable company and determining it isnt the signal.. I have been told to unplug the unit to *reset* it... I have had to do this multiple times.

I think this unit needs a power button and a reset button for cases like this. That said, most of the time it is probem free and does have a stand by mode which is very nice when you are working on problems and do not want to be on line( like when updating or installing virus software)


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