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June 18th, 2003, 04:21 AM
#1
Registered User
 Which ADSL modem??
I am finally taking the plunge next month and moving up to broadband so I have been browsing for a new ADSL modem, I was amazed at the price difference ranging from £25 to £175 and I was wondering what the significant differences are? I notice that the dowload/upload speeds vary but they are all way above what my ISP will provide anyway.
So basically what I want to know is do I bother shelling out more money on a "better" modem or like I always have done with old modems just go for a cheap one because it's all down to your phone line anyway?
I have never had to install broadband so not familiar with all the technology yet.
Cheers all.
Like movies? then come check out my websiite at www.lookmumnohead.co.uk
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June 18th, 2003, 04:46 AM
#2
Registered User
It mainly depends on
Your budget
What devices you wish to use[i.e. hardwired/wireless]
What sort of connection your getting.[cable/phone line]
How secure you need the system [i.e. hardware firewall]
If you want remote access or other features i.e. VPN].
Type of modem to PC connection your require i.e. USB or NIC
If you want a router or just a modem
For domestic use www.dabs.co.uk have a couple in their budget range which work great on BT lines and for wireless Vigor whilst expensive,have a 4 port wireless router/modem [2600we] with firewall and all the extras.
BTW if your into wireless modems the new edition of PCPRO 106 has a review of several.
Last edited by Archer; June 18th, 2003 at 04:52 AM.
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June 18th, 2003, 05:53 AM
#3
Registered User
Originally posted by Archer
It mainly depends on
Your budget
What devices you wish to use[i.e. hardwired/wireless]
What sort of connection your getting.[cable/phone line]
How secure you need the system [i.e. hardware firewall]
If you want remote access or other features i.e. VPN].
Type of modem to PC connection your require i.e. USB or NIC
If you want a router or just a modem
For domestic use www.dabs.co.uk have a couple in their budget range which work great on BT lines and for wireless Vigor whilst expensive,have a 4 port wireless router/modem [2600we] with firewall and all the extras.
BTW if your into wireless modems the new edition of PCPRO 106 has a review of several.
Cheers, budget is not too big an issue as I want to get it all right first time but I am strapped for cash so don't want to spend out more than I need to. Its gonna be connected through a BT phone line (cable round here! hmm yes and would that be frost forming over the fiery pits? lol)
I wanna get a USB so I can attach it to my laptop or PC, a router is a bit unneccesary as both are networked and its only me that will use it.
Dabs.com was were I found the USB one for £25 which seemed awfully cheap to me but if it works then I don't see the need to spend more 
Like movies? then come check out my websiite at www.lookmumnohead.co.uk
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June 18th, 2003, 05:57 AM
#4
Geezer
Like Archer says it depends whats 'bundled' in the modem as well as the 'translation' down the line ...
This link has a nice pretty picture which shows how/where all the 'stuff' (which is relevant to networking & security really) lives though I've no idea about whether that model is any good or not ...
The main thing is 'always on' .... this makes you much more interesting to hackers & more susceptible too, than regular dial up ... so you have to start thinking about firewalls etc though there are very good software alternatives if you don't have a big network behind the connection point to worry about ...
BTW 'What sort of connection your getting.[cable/phone line]' ... besides the grammatical error- 'you are' not your ! - why do we have to think about this Archer ... surely ADSL says telephone ??
& edit ....
You managed to reply while I was answering ...
So I'll add connecting your pc via usb is not as good as using a network card ... a network card will 'handle' much more traffic without cpu overhead ... usb connections to a network is just another layer to 'munch' ressources & go wrong ...
Last edited by confus-ed; June 18th, 2003 at 06:01 AM.
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June 18th, 2003, 06:22 AM
#5
Registered User
BTW 'What sort of connection your getting.[cable/phone line]' ... besides the grammatical error- 'you are' not your ! - why do we have to think about this Archer ... surely ADSL says telephone ??
Just that the modem connection your  getting is a different type on cable connections [ cable tv & telephone] as opposed to wired systems i.e. BT.
If you do go USB you can always upgrade afterwards to something like this that supports networks.
Then again some ADSL services in the UK have offered either reduced price or free modems on sign up so have a look round before you buy.
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June 18th, 2003, 06:37 AM
#6
Registered User
http://www.adslguide.org.uk has information on ISP`s and prices
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June 18th, 2003, 06:38 AM
#7
Geezer
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June 18th, 2003, 08:46 AM
#8
Registered User
I keep hearing nothing but bad stories concerning USB modems for ADSL. I've not tried it myself but would be wary. I'm not sure I understand your reasoning for not wanting a modem which connects to your NIC. Is the NIC already connected to a network?
I don't know how the UK providers are set up, but here in the states many providers opt for PPP over ethernet rather than an always on connection. In effect, the ADSL is configured as a dial up connection (although the time to connect is almost instantaneous). This does provide some additional security in that you can disconnect when you are not using the connection.
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June 18th, 2003, 09:02 AM
#9
Registered User
http://www.giointernet.com/ Is the ISP I was gonna go with, you can get a modem direct from them or buy your own, its your choice, I think Bulldog ADSL do the same and both are cheaper than BT or Freeserve. Plus Gio don't commit you to a 12 month contract, I think it's 3 months then after that its monthly. On top of all that they are the cheapest I have found and have no download caps
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June 18th, 2003, 09:07 AM
#10
Registered User
Originally posted by confus-ed
So I'll add connecting your pc via usb is not as good as using a network card ... a network card will 'handle' much more traffic without cpu overhead ... usb connections to a network is just another layer to 'munch' ressources & go wrong ... [/B]
Hadn't thought about this, its an option, the reason I was going to go for USB was so laptop and PC could be connected, I don't need them both at the same time but it would be nice to be able to switch between the two (not essential but nice!) And I don't fancy shelling out for a PCMCIA modem for the laptop!!
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June 18th, 2003, 09:07 AM
#11
Registered User
PPPOA in UK [ I `m pretty sure?] and much the same dial to connect and either leave connected or disconnect at will.
As to the use of modems some ISP`s provide connection only and let you fit your own some will not provide suport unless you refit the one they supplied [if you take that particular option] i.e.BT though they do a lines only service too.
There is also an upsurge in ISP`s offering 1 and 2MB lines appearing in the UK main cities at the moment.The 1MB lines seem to be the same price as BTs 512Kb service too ,just a pity I d`ont live in Manchester or London 
Cnet 10/100 16 Bit PCMCIA Type 2 Our Price £25.87
£30.40 inc VAT
16 Bit PCMCIA Card £27.02
inc vat
Last edited by Archer; June 18th, 2003 at 09:24 AM.
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June 18th, 2003, 11:28 AM
#12
Registered User
Originally posted by Archer
There is also an upsurge in ISP`s offering 1 and 2MB lines appearing in the UK main cities at the moment.The 1MB lines seem to be the same price as BTs 512Kb service too ,just a pity I d`ont live in Manchester or London
Tell me about it, I can't get any sort of broadband where I live now, its only cause I am moving 2 miles nearer town that I will be able to get it! I live in a lousy place for technology - no digital TV, no reception for Orange/T-Mobile, no reception for O2 /Vodaphone unless I stand outside, no cable, no channel 5 and a phone line that can only connect to the net at a maximum of 28kbs 
Still only 2 weeks to go till I move Hurrah!
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