Cable Modem?

[registered "^^"]

cable novice here. is it best to rent one, buy it from the cable company, or buy your own. and what would be the best brand to get. thank you

 

[KillerMuffin]

I rent mine cause I'm going to upgrade my puter and I will be moving soon to a place where there isn't cable. Or eventually.

Figure the cost of renting the modem for the length of time you'll be using it versus the cost of buying it. Consider also the number of computers you are connecting to the modem and the number you'll have connected in the future. Picture His'n Hers puters. Unless you're moving out of cable modem reach relatively soon, it's cheaper to buy it outright. Then you get to choose between internal and external. Internal is much less clutter and easy enough to install.

As for brand, whats the difference between Gateway, Dell, Compaq, IBM, and Cheapo-Wal-Mart-Buy? Aesthetics.

 

[*bratcat*]

we use the @home system...

 

[Weird Harold]

cable novice here. is it best to rent one, buy it from the cable company, or buy your own. and what would be the best brand to get. thank you

The local cable company doesn't list a discounted rate for having your own modem. There is a discount on the installation if you already have a network card, but the rates are the same regardless of whether you use their modem and network card or theirs.

 

[registered "^^"]

Thank You WH

 

[Bob Peale]

Also, if you rent, it's easier to upgrade your equipment.

I did the cost benefit analysis, and It would have taken me just under 2 years to justify the cost of buying. My company has upgraded modems twice in 8 months.