| Product: |
3Com 56K Professional Message Modem |
| Date: |
21.07.03 (607 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Reliability, connectivity
Disadvantages: Price, Size
Now you all know im on broadband at home but it has not always been the way.
No. Going back a year or so ago, I was using a trusty 56k External Modem. I say trusty because it was a good servant and it is still downloading at my mums house without any problems.
So what is it?
Well, for those that dont know, its the little piece of hardware that sits between your computer and the telephone socket. Its used to decipher the phone tones into information for the computer to understand.
Some people have "internal" modems which are actual parts of the computer that slot in and need to be phyiscally installed, and, some people have "External" modems so they can just plug it into a connector without the need for upgrading or installing bits in the actual computer.
This modem is External so it has the advantage that anyone who can plug in connectors can be using this modem in minutes. It also has the benefit that it can be moved to other computers musch easier. Just unplug and replug somewhere else.
How big is it and what does it look like?
I liken it in size to a small novel. Not much thicker than a 400 page book. Its case is made from hard durable plastic and is Beige in colour. Quite big in relation to the size of an external modem and of course, it takes up desk space.
On the front of the box is the flashing lights that represent the connections and power goig to and from the modem.
On the back is the connections for phone line, Computer and Power supply.
How does it install?
Thankfully, 3Com have thought ahead for all of the computer systems it may be used for and supply this with drivers for most systems. The older Windows 95 drivers come on a floppy diskette (incase there is no CD ROM!) and the 98/me XP and Win2k drivers come on a CD. All included with a great instruction booklet if you get stuck.
With the plug and play technology, you attach the modem to the computer with the releva
nt wire, attach the power supply and turn it on and plug it into the phone line.
Turn on your computer and it should see that there is a new device installed. It will then ask for the drivers which are self installing when you put the CD in! Easy stuff.
Connectivity is excellent. for those that may suffer from lack of USB ports, this modem comes with a COM1 to COM1 size wire. Nearly all modern computers have a COM port. Its the little 9 pin connector on the back of your computer that looks like a joystick port from the days when we had Commodore 64's and Spectrums. Remember?
So everyone can hook up.
Connection speed is one of the best I have used. Compared to internal hardware modems, I notice no difference. This is good seen as you are connecting through a wire rather than physical hardware on harware. It is actually faster than cheaper software modems!
It is also very stable and hardly ever needs resetting. A truly reliable piece of hardware.
There is a great website for driver downloads, updates and troubleshooting should you experience any problems. Just go to www.3com.com and all your problems are solved.
Pricing?
Hmm....They are well known and therefore seem to charge what they want. They did cost about £80 which is extortionate for a modem. However, External Modems do cost more and this is a fantastic piece of kit.
Summary:
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Last comment:
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andycharger - 21.07.03 If its a software one, that would explain it! Otherwise it may be your ISP only letting connections through at a certain rate.
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