Are all 56k modems the same speed?

[Len Whistler]

Are all 56k modems the same spead?

I just bought a new HP computer with a tiny 56k PCI modem. I find it rather slow and was thinking of buying a new 56k modem, but only if it's faster. I don't care about any other features.

Any recommendations? My budget is $20.00 and it's for web surfing. Thanks

[oracleguy]

Well technically non-winmodems (the <30 bucks) types of modems are faster since they actually have a chip on them to do the processing instead of offloading it to the CPU. But if that would make your internet go faster, I honestly don't know. What about the phone cable you are using to hook the modem up to the phone line, the quality of that can affect the speed.

[liorean]

There is a slight difference in speed between them, but generally it's minor. More often the speed depends on how good the phone lines are, and sometimes the weather. (Packet loss can be quite high on a modem if the phone lines are bad or there is static on the line.)

[Len Whistler]

Ok thanks.... Both replies basically the same.

I don't think I will risk $20.00 bucks on a new modem, maybe I should go for high speed.

[daniel_g]

Do it! Some ISP actually charge less for high speed than some dial up providers. Depends on where you live, but most everywhere cable is going to be more expensive than DSL, and you might not even feel the difference. On the other hand, DSL is harder to get because not everyone is covered, so if you are, you are a lucky one.

[goughy000]

dial up? my ISP gave everyone on dial up broadband for the same price if they liked it or not.. it must be cheaper for the ISP to run broadband over dial up aswell...

it really is worth it moving to broadband.. faster page loads and no threat of internet dialers hijacking your conection onto premium rate numbers

[intiendes]

check your speed .... if its a 56 K modem then running only at 28.8 K then the problem is your area or your phone line ... but if it is running at 56 K ... then it should be quite fast ...

but if the problem is PC .. try to buy a much larger memory card :)

[oracleguy]

dial up? my ISP gave everyone on dial up broadband for the same price if they liked it or not.. it must be cheaper for the ISP to run broadband over dial up aswell...

it really is worth it moving to broadband.. faster page loads and no threat of internet dialers hijacking your conection onto premium rate numbers

Despite what the ISPs like to believe, broadband other than satellite (which is usually more significantly more expensive than dial up) isn't available to a lot of people.