Cable Modem: buy or lease?

carage · Post by **carage** » Tue Jul 08, 2003 10:59 pm

My 3com OfficeConnect 3CR29210 just dropped dead 2 days ago when the ISP upgraded to DOCSIS 1.1, so now I am back to leased modem service with a Motorola SurfBoard SB4200 running at DOCSIS 1.1
I think this is obviously better than the old 3com which runs at 10 mbps maximum and doesn't have a built in diagnostic page, but I still like to own all my digital equipment.
So, I am once again considering to purchase a new cable modem. However, given this experience I am afraid what I purchase will once again drop dead on me whenever the ISP changes the protocal.

Which modem should I buy?
I can get any of the following:

Toshiba PCX2200 for $58.99

Motorola SB5100 for $66 (and this one advertises as DOCSIS 2.0, is this really any better?)

Any other models I should consider?

I also noticed this Motorola 1GHZ signal booster, does it really work for cable modems? The ad says it does.

wee96 · Post by **wee96** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 12:17 am

Only problem with buying is, well ok two reasons, one being if anything happens to it, you gotta buy another one. Renting they just slap another one on there. Two, once the technology of the cable system your in surpasses the modems capability, again you gotta buy another one. If you add up the rental costs over the years and add it onto buying, it actually pretty much stays even.

carage · Post by **carage** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 3:13 am

How long will a Docsis 1.1 CM survive?
DOCSIS 2.0?
Besides I heard the newer modems are actually software upgrable, I could have saved my 3com if it wasn't 3com shutting down the entire cable modem product line completely.

BaLa · Post by **BaLa** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 2:20 pm

I think most companies don't use DOCSIS 2 yet

carage · Post by **carage** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 5:55 am

I just realized the $95 pricetag does include modem rental fee...
I guess that is another good reason not to buy one

carage · Post by **carage** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 2:22 am

Just bought the SB 5100, unfortunately it doesn't solve my problem...
Download is still around 1.3 mbps, not even close to 3.1 mbps.

BaLa · Post by **BaLa** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 5:40 am

whats the prob?

I'd kill for a 1.3meg D/L

what is your download cap ?

carage · Post by **carage** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 5:53 am

the problem is that my download cap is technically 3.5 mbps...
and I am paying $50 extra a month for that
Comcast Pro Service (3500/384) $95
5 static IP, 7 mailbox, 25 MB webspace

My problem is detailed here:
https://www.speedguide.net/forums/ ... did=118717