Please suggest a GOOD external 56K hardware (No WinM) modem

[vinayag]

The dammed (Grrr$@#%$^) manufacturer web sites do not say if their modem is a winmodem or a pure hardware modem ! I do not have the luxury of trail and error because of a impending trip to India. I need a 56K flex/V.90 external HARDWARE (No Winmodems) modem for less than $100. It should be good and fast and preferable runs on DC power (So that I can take it anywhere in the world and buy a simple DC adaptor for the country)

Please give me your suggesions.

 

[The Stigenator]

well... if the modem uses a serial port its a hardware modem.. however many USB models show up as a WinModem.
US Robotics are good modems but expensive.
Try finding a Boca,Zoom,Zytel external modems that use the serial port.. and they are definitly Hardware modems.

Edit:
Multitech modems are very good, but they are expensive again.

 

[Ulysses]

The best external modem is a model made by 3COM/U.S. Robotics. It is known, I believe, as the Courier V.Everything, but may cost more than $100 - it is not a Winmodem. Its more plain Jane cousin, their model that used to be called the Sportster, is also good. I'd stick with 3COM, in any event. If the modem info says it requires Windows, then you know it's a WinModem. WinModem is a trade name, I believe, of 3COM, which is why you don't always see the term used by competitors, while the more generic terms 'software modem' or 'hardware modem' etc. are not, of course. Most PCI modems are software modems (i.e., Winmodems).

http://www.3com.com/client/pcd/analog/courier.html

P.S.
Here's an old review:
http://www.zdnet.com/products/stories/pipreviews/0,8827,36099,00.html

 

[The Stigenator]

Try these:
http://www.micropro.com/tbl/mdp56ve.htm

www.pcstop.com - search the catalog for Boca Modems.. got a Tidal Wave for 79 bucks.

Edit:
Search Pricewatch with "56K External"

 

[vinayag]

Thanks for the suggesions.

Serial port = Hardware modem ? Is this a hard and fast rule ?

Also, does anybody know of a Hardware usb modem for $100.

 

[larrymoencurly]

A friend of mine who handles systems out in the boonies said 3Com externals worked when other brands didn't.

Buy.com raised the price of their 56K 3Com externals by $5, to $105

Is it possible to use a Mac external modem on a PC, with the right cable? What's the difference between the two?