There are many different reasons why someone wants to purchase a new cable modem. You may want to replace the old one because it gives you nothing but constantly dropped connections. Or perhaps you have been tired of paying the rental fee and want to get your own. Whatever the reason it is important to pick the best cable modem, the one that will work best for you.
These days, there are so many options available on the market. With the advent of the internet technology, modern cable modems come with features that do no exist before. Now, to choose one that will fit your needs, let us look at the features offered by many cable modems today.
DOCSIS 3.0 compliant
If your ISP supports DOCSIS 3.0 in your area, then you could see quite a large improvement in your bandwidth from a DOCSIS 3.0 modem. Such modems are capable of downloading much faster than traditional cable modems. If you want to get a modem that comes with this feature, you may want to consider Motorola SB6120 SURFboard.
Operating Systems supported
Make sure the modem is compatible with your OS. It is a good idea to choose the one that supports more than one systems just in case you want to use the modem for another computer in the future. Modems such as Motorola SURFboard SB5101U, for instance, is compatible with Windows, Macintosh and Unix systems.
Ethernet/USB interface
Many modern modems can be plugged into a PC via their Ethernet or USB port. Such devices also enables you to hook up 2 computers without having to buy extra networking hardware. Normally, if using USB, you need to install the drivers from the CD that comes with the modem. If using Ethernet, just plug in the cables and you are ready to surf the cyberspace.
Wireless Technology
Having a modem that combines a modem and wireless access point means you can easily connect all the computers in your home. For instance, you can have one PC attached via ethernet to it and some others wirelessly. A model that supports this feature is Motorola SURFboard SBG900. Its 802.11g wireless technology will enable you to share a single broadband connection wirelessly without having to buy a wireless router.
Stand By Button
Some cable modems such as Motorola SB5100 comes with a button that allows you to stop the internet connection easily. Think of it as a simple solution to get offline.
There are still some other features that you may want to consider such as front panel status indicator LEDs, 1000Base-T Port, slim design and Plug & Play installation. However, although there are various great models which provide various features on the market today, it does not mean such modems will be the best cable modem for you. You may not need all of the features. Perhaps a cheap one such as D-Link DCM-201 is enough to fulfill your needs.
Moreover, keep in mind that your actual speeds are often less than the maximum possible. It may also vary with other users who use the same model . It is because upload and download speeds are affected by several aspects such as network traffic, your computer equipment, and also the quality of service provided by your cable operator.
Being a subscriber of a cable internet service means you can eliminate dial-up wait time and busy signals, without having to utilize your phone line. Just make sure to pick the best one that meets your personal condition.