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are all cable modems the same?

C

charlotte49er

Junior Member
My girlfriend just got cable internet access and she is renting the modem. Pricewatch has these starting at $115. Should I tell her to just go ahead and buy one rather than give the cable company even more of her money (I had to tell her to get espn gameplan!). If so, are they all pretty much the same or are there certain things to look for? Thanks
 
I lease my Cable Modem for $5/mo from my ISP. (Knology) I decided against buying a Cable Modem myself because:

1) My ISP occasionally upgrades, and in the 18 months I've had their service they have already replaced my Cable Modem with a newer model, free of charge.

2) My ISP replaces a malfunctioning Cable Modem the same day, free of charge. My "new" cable modem died 2 months after I got it, and they replaced it the same day free of charge.

3) The Cable Modem is now the "demarcation point". If I have a problem, I only have to trouble shoot as far as the Cable modem, then the cable modem on out is the ISP's problem. Otherwise, I'd be forced to troubleshoot my own cable modem, which is a hassle I don't need.
 
Ime makes some very good points about renting. But, there are differences in Cable Modems. A consensus winner here in the forum seems to the the Motorola Surfboarder.
 
I have mediaone (Road Runner), and they offered a deal where you bought the cable modem for $200 but paid $10 less per month for the service. I don't know if they've upgraded other people's cable modems since, but mine works great, has never broken, and I've had it over 3 years now so it's more than paid for itself. I don't think they're all the same, though, so be careful to get the one your cable company recommends.
 
Ime:
Knology hasn't upgraded my modem...I'm jealous 😉 Especially considering 3Com doesn't make/support cable modems anymore 😛
 
I think Toshiba's modems are pretty good as well. Mine is, at least.

My only concern about buying a modem right now is DOCSIS 2.0. If it is going to be implemented with little or no effort in the next 18 months, would I plunk down $130 for something that can't/won't be upgradeable? Hmmm. I'm thinking the higher speeds are at least something to make one stop and think.

Oh yeah, and be sure that you won't be moving anytime in the near future, such that cable Interent availability will be different, if it is even offered.

-SUO
 
It depends on what the cap is. Terayons get higher speeds than motorolas and the others. I hear toshiba's are also fast. But if the cap isn't that high I dont think it matters.
 
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