Modem Reviews

I agree with the Editorial review of this product. The documentation that comes with it is awful. However, it was relatively easy to setup and works like a charm. I bought it for my linux system and the thing can hold a connection forever (staying connected for an extended period was a problem I had with the internal modem that came with my system). This is apparently one of the big pluses for external vs. internal modems: higher reliability. They can also supposedly be faster. PLEASE NOTE: this item comes with all the cables you need to get it up and running. This was annoying to me, as no cables appear in the photo of the item nor could I find any info on the detail page stating this. So I made the mistake of buying an extra cable when it wasn't needed.

I had this modem out of the box and set up within 3 minutes. This modem was a replacement for my old modem. This modem connects faster than most modems that I have seen. This modem is fully v.90 and can be flashed for future updates. This modem has kept a connection for close to 2 weeks, stopped only then by a power failure. This modem has audio jacks on the sides for full phone\video phone function. This is the best Creative\Digicom modem that I have owned (I have owned 3). This modem is easy enough to install that even first time users could install it (with a little assistance from the manual). The manual is in plain english and almost anyone can understand it. This is a great product.

Need a Modem replacement for you Windows Only modem?

The DE5620 supports Linux and BEoS at full speed allowing for fast surfing with two of the best operating systems now available.

Installation was simple. Configurating Linux and Beos Dial up connections took about 2 minutes each and BAM I was on the net. Plug and Play that really works......

The price is basically a steal of a deal? I'd pay any day to connect at 115K!

Modem Blaster's are Faster! Life is Good!

Just installed this but had to do it in a roundabout way. First off, the modem has big warning signs not to connect any cables until the software tells you to. Ok fine. I pop in the CD, it goes through the instructions. It does tell you to plug in the AC adapter into the back of the modem. It doesn't tell you when to plug it into an electrical outlet. By the time it starts trying to detect the modem (and fails, obviously,) I figure I better plug it into the wall.

Even with the modem plugged in, the software can't detect the modem if you're running through a router. Doesn't seem to need the drivers, at least if you're running through an ethernet card. The installation troubleshooting guide was no help. I gave up on the software running in circles and exited. In spite of all this it still worked once I gave the cable company my MAC ID. (Software still can't detect the modem, though.)

Here's the strange part. I've been running speedtests on two different computers. The Win98 computer that the modem is directly connected to runs really, really slow and doesn't come near my 1.5MB connection. My other WinXP computer that is networked through a wireless router gets nice 1.5MB transfer rates off this same modem. Go figure.

I can't speculate on why one computer runs slow and another runs fast, but I can say I had a Motorola Surfboard SB5120 before this and I didn't have these problems, even when running through a router.

Recently I decided to switch from a dial-up internet service provider with a 56K modem to cable internet service with the a cable modem. The cable modem service has several advantages: (1) I don't have to dial a number to access it; it's on all the time, (2) It's MUCH faster than a 56K modem, and (3) using my computer via a cable modem doesn't tie up my telephone line. My cable company specifically recommended that I buy a Toshiba cable modem so I bought the new Toshiba Pcx2200. So far it has performed flawlessly and I am thoroughly satisfied with it. It seems to be quite versatile: it works with both PCs and Macs (I use a Mac) and is compatible with both ethernet and USB interfaces. The low price was a pleasant surprise -- many other cable modems that were not specifically recommended by my cable company were more expensive. I've had a long histrory of satisfaction with Toshiba products and highly recommend this one.

A few months ago I decided to switch from a dial-up internet service provider with a 56K modem to cable internet service with the a cable modem. The cable modem service has several advantages: (1) I don't have to dial a number to access it; it's on all the time, (2) It's MUCH faster than a 56K modem, and (3) using my computer via a cable modem doesn't tie up my telephone line. My cable company specifically recommended that I buy a Toshiba cable modem so I bought the new Toshiba Pcx2200. For the several months I've had it, it has performed flawlessly and I am thoroughly satisfied with it. Furthermore, it is quite versatile: it works with both PCs and Macs (I use a Mac) and is compatible with both ethernet and USB interfaces. The low price was a pleasant surprise -- many other cable modems that were not specifically recommended by my cable company were more expensive. I've had a long histrory of satisfaction with Toshiba products and highly recommend this one.

The people who made this were thinking. It's got a better user interface than the handspring modem, it's smaller, lighter weight, doesn't use it's own batteries, upgradable, and it works just as well. I'd definately reccommed it, and the stowaway keyboard for travelers. Plus you can get free internet access from nearly anywhere in the nation...just don't install the program they give you on your desktop or you'll regret it. Happy visor surfing.

I also have a Visor Deluxe which I have used with a Targus Stowaway Keyboard. The modem connection while seated on the Stowaway Keyboard allowed me to review emails and respond to them without disconnecting either the modem or the keyboard. This combination relieved me of the burden of a laptop while traveling. Unload the prepackaged software (the email program is only a demo and requires a fee for use) and use the 500K storage for something else, which is a plus. Eudora Internet Suite is free. I received an email from technical support that the upgrade to V.90 will include fax support (the current version does not permit faxing through the ThinModem). The battery meter dips during use but restores, for the most part, after turning it off. ThinModem comes with a male telephone jack (about 36 inches) which works well in airport telephones that offer a female connection. For about $5, get the female jack (about 4 inches)which works better with connections will working at a desk. One negative is the current lack of a gadget to connect to a cell phone to turn the Visor into a wireless, but that may come, I hope.

I was really suprised that this little gadgit works so well.Plug it into your handpring(prism)hook it to your phone jack and your online.I use csmail with it and it works great.D.Whaley

Incredible, a modem that is so small and working faster than a PC modem (even if the Baud rate does not reflect this).
However, the "Browse It" web browser is not functioning anymore so you have to find another web browser. Luckily, "Avant Go" and "Eudora" both offer free options for this.
Up to now (March 2002) this modem has official approval only in a few countries, e.g. the US, but it appears to be working very well also in Guatemala and the Netherlands.
In my experience the support service took a long time to respond but their answer was adequate.

An excellent product, but as stated in the review above, the software that was included did not work. This was easily fixed --- go to Eudora.com, and use their FREE software. The PDA works as good as a laptop for email and nearly as good for web browsing.

I am addicted to e-mail! I admit it! So when I go out of town or if I am on the go...I NEED TO CHECK MY E-MAIL! This card was easy to install and all I had to do was follow the simple step by step on screen instructions. I also downloaded software from my provider that was immediately installed during my next hot sync. I don't browse the internet on this...haven't tried either. But I have used it to gain access to email and instant messaging. I highly recommend this if you are like me..and have to stay connected.

The transfer rates of this modem are great but this modem gets way too hot. This modem had to be placed on the floor far from the computer. I returned this modem and got a Linksys and the heat problem is gone. This DLink modem can't be stacked because of the heat

Heck I didn't even have to install this. My cable guy came over to install the new Internet connection and he actually installed the modem. I watched how he did it and bascially all he did was plug in the cable, the ethernet, and the power and that was it.

There isn't much more to say about this. It looks cool on my desk, it is a nice hard metal and seems very sturdy. Sometimes it feels nice and warm on the outside, but it doesn't effect he performance from what I can tell.

This Modem was and is very easy to use. You just plug it in and you never touch it afterwards. Basically it connects to your ISP automatically and serves up your internet blazing fast. I used to use the modem that our ISP provided, but I did the math and it turns out to be cheaper if you buy your own instead of paying $5/month for theirs. Plus this router matches my D-Link home network so everything looks uniform on my desk.

What can be said of this modem! It is awesome! I had the 3COM Sharkfin' modem for a while (provided to me by 'then @home' and it finally quit working. I got this modem to replace the 3com and WOW!

I hooked it up.. and within seconds, it had already sync'd up! This without even calling ATTBI!!! I was using this modem to play the 'net without even calling ATTBI. Talk about surprised. I went ahead and contacted them to ensure full connectivity, and all they did was document the new MAC address... nothing could have been easier... (wish other dealings with ATTBI was this easy).

Modem comes with both ethernet, and USB cables so its up to you how you want to connect to your PC. The additional LED lights on the front are there to enhance trouble shooting, but so far, they have not been needed.

In addition, after having my 3com 'sharkfin' modem for nearly a year, and after hooking up this modem, my speed is nearly 25% faster with the Motorola SB4100.. I did not think just a modem could make such a difference with Broadband Cable service.

I would HIGHLY recommend this modem for all ATTBI customers..

Mike Heine ('winterstone')

I looked at several cable modems but chose this one because it came with both Ethernet and USB cables, because AT&T Broadband Internet lists it as an acceptable modem, and because it was Macintosh compatible. (After I opened the package, I found that Macs need the Ethernet cable, so it was nice of Motorola to include it.) The modem was easy to install and now downloads 1 megabyte in about 5 seconds under OS X.

I returned the cable company's rent-a-modem 2 hours after unpacking the Motorola. I have dynamic IP svc (unfortunately), so all that was required for setup was plugging it in and rebooting. (A call to the cable service was required to register the unit MAC ID). The DOCSIS 1.0 certification assures you it will work with most any cable provider. Also, I like the choice of ethernet (RJ14) or USB connectivity. Lastly, the internal transformer means the power plug is a normal size, so it can be plugged in on my desk without hogging the whole powerstrip. Nice modem, nice price!

I have a problem with my phone modem. it wont hang up and when I dial the number i have to disconnect my phone line for i can get a dial tone from it. the phone modem is only 1 year old. it is a 3com u.s. Robotics 56k inter. I use a 3 1/2 disk with modem drives 2977. what can i do?

5687-3 hardware
the 3 designates a card with jumpers.
the jumpers can be usd to set this isa modem to com2 interrupt 3
the standard or can be set to pnp mode.
hardware means minimal load on your system and cpu
winmodems don't really exist except for a pci enumerator
that initially is detected as a unknown pci device.
the actual modem is emulated by a software program running
in windows, this is why it is called a win-modem.
hardware modems often say they can run in dos and require
a fast 386 or 486 cpu.
winmodems typically need a p166 or higher to run the modem emulator program and have a little left to run your browser
or other programs.
do you typically run one or more programs in the background
while trying to get the most speed out of games especially on line? you will be if you run a winmodem.
i am sorry that they chose to advertise this fine modem
that they don't have.
as a come on and then have poorer modems and win modems on sale for more. most motherboards are coming with out isa slots.
while the 5687-3 is software upgradable,an upgrade to v92
has yet to appear,and may not.
lack of upgrade to v92 may not be a problem for a year or more
as it will take that or longer for isps to adopt the new standard. lack of isa slots in newer computers may doom
the isa card unless you intend to keep your computer
for years to come,and don't need gigahertz computers for
business and websurfing.
coulomb at the LAB at webvelosix forums.

If you live in the sticks this is a must. I live outside a small town and my connectivity was lousy. I was only pulling 26,400 bps and now, after installing this and going into modem properties in control panel and adjusting the port settings to minimum, I'm pulling 45,333 bps. It's fairly easy to install (did it myself) and if you have Win98 the driver's already there-- the computer installed the software itself, basically. I have to say it again: from 26,400 to 45,333 bytes per second!

I have had a Pretec modem,which by the way I never could get to work,and now I have a Targus. Targus is much smaller,and I had it working in 10 Minutes. A very simple setup makes it easy to get online. I played with it till the early hours,accessing all my favorite websites.I paid a little more, but it was worth it. I am using a Jornada 545 with the Targus 56k modem,and the addition of the modem has changed my whole view of the possibilities of my pocket pc.I strongly encourage any Jornada user to try the Targus 56k modem.

This is an outstanding compact flash modem for pocket or handheld PC's running Windows CE version 2.0 or higher. With the Targus Compact Flash 56k v.90 Pocket Modem there is no need to set it up, just plug it in, create a connection profile and you are set and ready to browse the Web. I bought it for my Cassiopeia E-125 (perfectly compatible)and I have been surfing the net with speed and easiness. The small dimensions of the modem allow you to carry it on your own pocket or in your pocket PC Case since it is also very slim. This excellent modem is a little bit expensive yet. Anyway, and in spite of the price, this is a must if you want to stay connected to the internet with your pocket pc wherever you are.

i need it, but i not sure if this will work with my HP 1945... somebody help me!!!!! please!!! Thanks .Mara

I have used this model for a year and I have yet to get disconnected from my ISP. I also switched to XP and it picked the modem right up--I didn't have to install any software! Before I got the Robotics 5686-03 external (also called Sportster model 0701), I got disconnected several times a day. I think the people who are having problems with this modem are probably newbies messing with things that should be left alone. This is a hardware modem and it doesn't need a software program to run like the ...winmodems do--just a driver that is already built into windows. Just turn your computer off, plug it in and turn your computer on--what's so hard about that? As far as tech support, you shouldn't need it, but when I emailed US Robotics they emailed me back in 24 hrs. and answered my question--I suggest email rather than the telephone. Also, buying a serial cable is no big deal.... I wouldn't want the modems that come with them. In short, this was the easiest modem I ever installed and it has given me totally solid connections and the fastest downloads I ever saw. I am very satisfied. Get this one and your modem problems are over!

I am not going to teach you about MODEMS. This is a review of the 3Com U.S. Robotics 005686-03 56K V.90 External Fax Modem. Where I work we have used several types and brands of MODEMS. This is the one we settled on as a standard. For one thing the company is not going out of business soon. The MODEM handles all the standard Hayes commands and registries. Being external it is able to be moved to new systems and not move with old ones. The LEDs add the ability to trouble shoot. Also being external you do not have to worry about getting the warning that you need to turn your MODEM off and on. These MODEMS are used on NT, win95, and UNIX. The port rate on the NT to the MODEM is 115,200 BPS. Naturally that is not the phone line speed. Hasn't had a failure yet so I do not know about warranty service.

Can't believe that upgrading my generic 56k modem to this showed a performance gain of up to 250%. Yes, 2.5x!! The generic modem, which most of have nowadays is pathetic. The connection speed is greater and the hardware chip set is phenomenal.

It works, it simply works. I can pick up my pop email from any location with an analog phone connection. (watch out, many offices have digital phone systems, which will not like this little modem) And I can also send my pop email with some freeware available out there. So all in all a great product. I can even just peek on the server to see if any relevant email is waiting out there, or if it is spam and spam again. (i am using a commercial software for this feature, so be prepared to spend a bit more money) It is nice to sit in a hotel room somewhere far from home and to read email on your little palm V (or better Vx)... it feels like working on the very first macintosh. It is all very cute, and all the words in the emails seem really important. Hmm, but there must be other solutions. I could think of wireless solutions, or solutions which would use a cellphone as a wireless modem. (look ma, no wires)... This modem is a cute solution for the wired traveler. Emails feel very fuzzy and warm. And you can write them anywhere and then send them off from almost anywhere. Oh, and before i forget, yes, you can also surf the web. (using some other commercial software which is listed in the manual). Hmm, surfing the web on a palm is a completely different story. It just does not feel right. Amazon actually is quite surfable, but many other sites are not. It feels a bit like leaving the house but never crossing any streets. Not quite there yet, it seems. :*) Get it, if you insist. :*) I am keeping mine. I like it.

I love gadgets. My Palm Vx became a constant companion and vital part of my wardrobe, and the modem follows close behind. On business trips or any other time I'm on the road, it has served me very well. The ability to keep up to date on e-mail, news, and HotSync stuff while on the road, combined with a pre-paid phone card, means that I'll never need to lug around a giant laptop! Woohoo! (...)

Excellent service from Palm, shipped immediately, also at his expense shipped accessories as we didn't exchange e-mails in time,would recommend them highly.very prompt.