selecting a cable modem

Hi all,

I recently decided that rather than pay a fee to the cable company to lease a modem, that I would be better off buying one. The problem is I don't know what to look for. Can someone give me some recommendations of what to look for when purchasing a cable modem or point me to a good resource? The last time I bought a modem was a 300 baud modem for my C-64 back in the 80's:confused so any help would be appreciated.

 

I would suggest renting one form the cable company. If it fails or has an issue they are responsible to replace it.

They last about 2-3 Years

 

Yes but I have been renting for 8 years now and never had an issue until the download speed exceeded 10 meg down, and that took 6 years to reach that thresh hold, and at $5 a month it would have paid for itself long ago.

 

This looks like a good start:

http://www.cable-modem.net/broadband_articles/best_cable_modem.html
Then possibly:
http://www.cablelabs.com/cablemodem/downloads/Certified_Products.pdf

Maybe I was lucky plodr, when I signed up with a cable ISP (Optus) about 7 years ago it was the first in Australia and the initial "installation" costs included the purchase of a Motorolla Surfboard. Funnily we had to move house 6 months later and they tried to hit us up with a "early exit fee" (buying out o contract), which I thought was an incredible "rip off" at $300AUD. I argued that they couldn't keep their end of the contract because they couldn't provide the service to my new residence and that I did not "want to end the contract" but could not get the service and would not pay for a product I don't receive. They argued a little but our Govt authority agreed with me. Stll have the modem 6 years later but we have ADSL2+ now.

 

I agree with pcloverr- we've had our modem replaced twice in the last 4 years. Maybe we just have had bad luck.