Possible - Actiontec Call Waiting v.90 HARDWARE modem - $44.xx plus tax after rebate at Best Buy BM

[DirkGently]

This may not be at all Best Buy stores, but the above modem was on clearance for $64 and change, with a $20 rebate printed out at the register.

I got the last one at the Deptford, NJ store. Immediately swapped out the piece of crap CNet winmodem I got suckered into buying, and now I'm rock stable.

The CNet would take forever to connect (network error, sometimes it would take 15-20 tries to connect), and threw me off constantly. Not a single disconnect so far with the actiontec. And no trouble connecting.

My connection speeds suck, but that's my crappy phone lines. Splitters all over my neighborhood. Can't even get DSL, because the
lines need replaced.

And this is not a winmodem, it comes with linux drivers. It gets
pretty good reviews, and has the call-waiting option, if you want to use it (I will, eventually)

 

[T2T III]

Is it ISA or PCI-slot based?

 

[WageSlave]

Sorry, this may sound dumb, but why is everyone posting deals on 56k modems for 40$ + thats a month of broadband right there. whats the point? the difference between the speed in a good hardware 56k and a winmodem will be only like 2-3k at best, how is that really worth it today? if you cant get some file, or ping time for gaming moving at 3k your not going to get it if your moving at 6k either

 

[check72]

Believe it or not, many of us poor folks who live in the sticks, can't get or can't afford a broadband connection! For us, a deal on a good moden is very appriciated.

 

[gfgray]

I feel you Check72. By the way, this is a PCI modem. I think it won MaximumPC's Kick Ass award, so you know it is quality.

 

[DirkGently]

Yes, it's PCI.

The difference between a winmodem and hardware based? I thought I made it clear in the original message.

A few kbs extra won't make much difference, but actuall staying connected
will! My old winmodem regularly took 5-15 tries to connect (aggravating),
and would usually disconnect within 15 minutes.

Not a single retry or disconnect with this one.

This will wind up costing me ~$46. The CNet POS cost me ~$20. A bit more than double the cost, for about 1000x the convenience and function. (Don't
forget the call waiting, no second phone line needed)

And, as I said above, I have NO broadband in my area. No cable modem, no DSL. Maybe I could get a satellite uplink, I never checked into that, but I'm going through a no banner-ad free ISP, so there's no monthly fee on top of the modem cost.

All in all, this was a hot del for me, especially since I was looking for this very modem online, and the best deal I'd found was at Staples, $86 with a $25 off $75 coupon, for about $61 (free shipping).