Looking for Modem Recommendation...

[Kyouchou242]

Hi everyone,

I'm running Mandrake 9.1 and have finally gotten around to deciding I want to be able to get on the internet with it rather than using my winblows partition.

Problem is I have a winmodem :(

So I'm going to upgrade my modem to a H/W modem and I would like recommendations on which one(s) I should consider.

Basically, I'm looking for one that is external, has v.92 protocol capabilities, and is relatively inexpensive... not "cheap", but rather a really good value, one where I get a lot for my money... and if it is black and looks nice that would be good too :). Also, I want it to have an easily accessible power switch.

I've been looking at the 3com/us robotics USR5686E but I'm not really fond of the price tag. Also a friend of mine (who is not a linux guru but knows a hell of a lot about computers anyway) said that serial port modems can have hardware conflics because of a masked interrupt or something like that (I don't remember exactly what he said) and I should consider a USB modem instead.

So then, is there such a thing as a hardware (controller based) usb modem, and if so what modems could I consider along those lines? If not, please let me know, but I would still like recommendations for a good modem to get, usb, serial, or magical ;)

Kyouchou

[ShieldWolf]

My recommendation is to go with the USRobotics external on the serial port. If you just can't swing the price, then try a Zoom or even a Creative, as long as they use the serial port.

I have a USR internal true modem that has given me about 4 years of service now, and been in 3 different computers. Before that, I had a USR external 33.6. It still works, and I keep it around for a spare. Well worth the extra $20.00 for the service I've gotten from them. :)

I recommend a serial modem for linux, because they are easy to set up and very well documented. As for the hardware conflicts, I've never heard of such a thing. With internal modems, yes, but not with an external.

As for the usb modem, I think it's hit or miss whether you'll get it to work. With a serial port modem. it's darn near a sure thing.

[bs_texas]

http://www.zoom.com/products/dial_up_external_serial.html

Get the 3049. Great modem.

[JohnT]

I would recommend the Zoom modem..best lightning protection in the business....guaranteed. Well worth the price. Very wide price and model range. My favorite...2949L.
Stay away from the USB...no advantage. Any hardware conflicts you think you might have can be easily overcome between the bios and the software there is a solution, but to be honest I have never heard of this problem your friend speaks of. Urban legend?

[EnigmaOne]

http://www.usr.com/products/home/home-product.asp?sku=USR5610B

Yet another great product from US Robotics.

[mdwatts]

USR 56K V.90 w/ Voice (2976/3298) OEM $68

That is the Canadian price.