what kind of 56k modem to get?

[NleahciM]

Hi - I need to buy a PCI 56K modem for a client, as there modem just kicked the bucket. I've heard that some are decidedly better than others - so anybody have any opinions? BTW - I will be ordering from either Newegg or Googlegear. Thanks!

 

[LanFear]

I'd go with 3com/US Robotics, they've made quality stuff for years.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: LanFear
I'd go with 3com/US Robotics, they've made quality stuff for years.

Agreed, as long as you are talking about their "Performance Pro" series, which are hardware modems. Otherwise, look for a Lucent/Agere PCI LT WinModem, those are probably the best-supported HCF modems. Avoid PCTel modems like the plague, and also try to avoid Rockwell/Connexant software (HSP) modems as well. Their HCF modems might not be bad, I don't have much experience with them.

Personally, nothing beats an external serial modem IMHO.

 

[Rottie]

Creative ModemBlaster is also good too.

 

[NleahciM]

So how does this one look? http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...jsp?ProductCode=222202

Thanks!

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: NleahciM
So how does this one look? http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...jsp?ProductCode=222202

Thanks!

I would be hestitant to recommend any OEM USR/3Com modem, because they only offer limited support for their OEM products to end-users. (Or no support at all.) The 3090 is apparently an OEM model. Also, from doing a little Googling around, there appears to be three different physical configurations for this same modem, which may make matching the correct driver difficult.

Other than that, without knowing the actual chipset used on the modem, I can't comment on the quality, but most 3Com HCF (controllerless, aka "WinModem") models are decent. I would still recommend a Lucent/Agere chipset model "LT WinModem" over this one though, simply due to better overall support.

But nowadays, a modem is a modem, so as long as it works it should be fine, and this one should work, at least only for Windows-based OSes. It should also be better than about 70% of the cheapo modems on the market (better than Intel/Rockwell/PCTel HCF, and better than any HSP modems). I still prefer a nice hardware external, of course, but they also cost more.

Here's a link to USR's official OEM driver support page, you'll probably be needing it.