Mach 56k PCI modem for $9.99 at B&M Office Max!!!!!!!!

LukFilm

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
6,128
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It's $29.99 - $20 instant rebate making it $9.99. It's a good deal for those of us still on the slow dial-up and needing to have a backup.

LukFilm
 

Gustavus

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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If that's the Mach2 modem, it is not a good deal, even when they are free -- which they are at OM fairly often. I have three that I have picked up for free at one time or another to put in systems I occasionally assemble for friends who just "want a computer". In every case I ended up getting something else tp put in their system. Mach2's drop connections at an incredible rate and make up for it by connecting at slow data rates to start with. These modems are simply no good -- that's if they are the Mach2's.
 

SimMike2

Platinum Member
Aug 15, 2000
2,577
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81
I disagree about the Mach 2 dropping connections. I have also installed about four of these in friends computers. They all run perfect. This is a good deal. If you want to talk about troublesome modems, any of the PC Tel garbage is way worse.
 

Kwad Guy

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 1999
3,478
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Every Mach 56K modem I've purchased has been a PCTel chipset
board. Now, given that this is a bottom-feeder-slap-someone-else's-
board-in-a-box company, it may well be that some boxes contain other
boards. But all the ones I've purchased (3) have been PCTel.

And PCTel is the pits. Only acceptable (and barely) if you have
a really good line to begin with.

Kwad
 

SimMike2

Platinum Member
Aug 15, 2000
2,577
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I just went to a local Office Max in Seattle and there was no instant rebate. Price was $29.95, at which point they went back to the shelf.

The Mach2s I had were Motorola chips. But this has been a year and one half ago.
 

bluesky

Golden Member
Nov 13, 2000
1,325
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I picked a modem from OMax for 9.99+tax. It's Prime Peripheral modem.
Is the mentioned Mach2 modem?
 

burnedout

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 1999
6,249
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The Mach 56k modem with PCTel chipset is a bad modem. I too have used them in friends computers.

Dropped connections, slower connect rate.

For the occasional user, they perform "adequate". For any other purposes, find something else.
 

Gustavus

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,840
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All three of the Mach2's I have -- purchased at OM over a period of roughly a year as they came up free after rebate -- have PCTel chipsets. As a colleague of mine was fond of saying, "Nothing is better than somethings" and that is certainly true of the PCTel based Mach2 modem's.
 

wjones

Platinum Member
Feb 17, 2000
2,396
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I got this Mach2 modem from Staples free after MIR.
This modem doesn't work with CallWave internet answering machine.
 

Tacoma99

Senior member
Oct 31, 2000
552
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I would stay away from the Mach2 modems also. I've bought them before when they're free after rebate, and built systems for customers who then had nothing but trouble. Wait till one of the big box stores has a Viking ( installed at least 12 so far with no problems ) or better quality modem on sale.
 

Bigdude

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,087
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I picked up a Prime Periperals modem for $9.95 at OM, this modem kicks butt! Every connect is at 53,333 and it never drops, this is the best modem I've ever seen, and it's a PcTel modem.
 

esquared

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 8, 2000
24,940
6,035
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Don't mean to crap on this thread, but since many seem to be disappointed with the Mach2 I have a suggestion based on experience. Unfortunately, its at Fry's and many people don't have access to the store or just don't like it. I have bought for myself and friends, 3-4 of the "56K PCI Internal/Fax modem" SKU # 2792663 that they sell every week for 20.00 with a 20.00 rebate, so they are essentially free. These modems are made by Actiontec and they perform great. The rebates also come when they say they will, 6-8 weeks. I have bought 3 different Actiontecs for my various computers ( 2 models of PCI and the USB call waiting modem)and everyone has work nicely. I get consistent dialups of 46,666 to 50,333 with no dropped connections. Just a suggestion and you can't go wrong for free.