Rating: 
Summary: FASTEST AND BEST
Review: I have used this model for a year and I have yet to get disconnected from my ISP. I also switched to XP and it picked the modem right up--I didn't have to install any software! Before I got the Robotics 5686-03 external (also called Sportster model 0701), I got disconnected several times a day. I think the people who are having problems with this modem are probably newbies messing with things that should be left alone. This is a hardware modem and it doesn't need a software program to run like the ...winmodems do--just a driver that is already built into windows. Just turn your computer off, plug it in and turn your computer on--what's so hard about that? As far as tech support, you shouldn't need it, but when I emailed US Robotics they emailed me back in 24 hrs. and answered my question--I suggest email rather than the telephone. Also, buying a serial cable is no big deal.... I wouldn't want the modems that come with them. In short, this was the easiest modem I ever installed and it has given me totally solid connections and the fastest downloads I ever saw. I am very satisfied. Get this one and your modem problems are over!
Rating:
Summary: Best modem I have
Review: I made the mistake of upgrading my other modem to the new V.92 standard and it would no longer connect to my ISP so I bought this one. I get great speed, for where I live (15 miles from anywhere) and can use it with the multiple operating systems I have on my computer. Just don't upgrade to the new standard until your ISP does. :)
Rating:
Summary: A fast, affordable, & reliable modem
Review: I was having trouble with disconnects from my ISP (almost every 10 minutes) and they told me that my modem, a Rockwell HCF 56K, was notorious for disconnects with them. A reliable modem is important to me because I run a business here on the web, and when I need to do something I don't want to be disconnected. After shopping around I decided on getting a 3Com US Robotics External 56K Faxmodem. Installation of the modem was extreamly easy...just hook it up, restart the computer, and plug in play does the rest. I had to change my connection properties to use this modem though, but that was also simple. After dialing up I was amazed at the speed. With my old modem, it usually downloaded files at 2 to 3.5 Kilobytes a second (I know that is very bad, but that's how it was), and now my new modem downloads at 4 to 7 kilobytes a second! An amazing improvement! And I haven't been disconnected once.When you buy the modem you will also have to buy a cable, since it doesn't come with one. My cable is a Belkin DB9 Female/DB25 Male Modem Cable. This modem is a great choice, probably the best.
Rating:
Summary: A fast, affordable, & reliable modem
Review: I was having trouble with disconnects from my ISP (almost every 10 minutes) and they told me that my modem, a Rockwell HCF 56K, was notorious for disconnects with them. A reliable modem is important to me because I run a business here on the web, and when I need to do something I don't want to be disconnected. After shopping around I decided on getting a 3Com US Robotics External 56K Faxmodem. Installation of the modem was extreamly easy...just hook it up, restart the computer, and plug in play does the rest. I had to change my connection properties to use this modem though, but that was also simple. After dialing up I was amazed at the speed. With my old modem, it usually downloaded files at 2 to 3.5 Kilobytes a second (I know that is very bad, but that's how it was), and now my new modem downloads at 4 to 7 kilobytes a second! An amazing improvement! And I haven't been disconnected once. When you buy the modem you will also have to buy a cable, since it doesn't come with one. My cable is a Belkin DB9 Female/DB25 Male Modem Cable. This modem is a great choice, probably the best.
Rating:
Summary: The professional modems of choice
Review: Since 3-Com and US Robotics got together they have given us top of the range modems. Both the internal/external voice/fax are all of a high standard. I've used these modems for about 3 years and not one has given me trouble. They have all been rock solid. I want to make a couple of points though. Firstly there is NO difference between internal and extrenal modems in terms of speed. They will operate at the same performance. External modems do give you the benefit of seeing the activity on the LEDs and you also save an ICQ aswell as a PCI slot. You MUST make sure you tune your Com settings in device manager though. You may have your modem set to 57500 kbps but your com port is usually setup by default as 9600. Bump this up to allow for higher download speeds! Also if you presently own a 56K or even 33K modem and have an ISP line you will not notice too much difference in your download speeds. The factors are more on your line quality and time of day (ie number of users online) to determine the speed of your downloads etc. Normally with an ISP you will get 4-5Kbps bandwith. However I have used 3-Com 56K modems on better lines with more bandwith and always get closer to 56K. These are the modems of choice and you wont find much better.
Rating:
Summary: The most solid 56k connection you will get.
Review: Sure, you can buy an internal modem, but you will not get the kind of bandwidth that an external modem can give you. Not everybody is on Cable or DSL, and not everybody needs that kind of bandwidth. Dial-up connections to the internet are dependent on the quality of your local phone lines. I can get a solid 53.3Kbps connection and you'd be surprised at how fast I can surf and do the common things we do online. Sure, Cable and DSL are great, but do you need to spend [a lot] a month to download your 4k e-mails and read CNN.com?
Rating:
Summary: The most solid 56k connection you will get.
Review: Sure, you can buy an internal modem, but you will not get the kind of bandwidth that an external modem can give you. Not everybody is on Cable or DSL, and not everybody needs that kind of bandwidth. Dial-up connections to the internet are dependent on the quality of your local phone lines. I can get a solid 53.3Kbps connection and you'd be surprised at how fast I can surf and do the common things we do online. Sure, Cable and DSL are great, but do you need to spend [a lot] a month to download your 4k e-mails and read CNN.com?
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