Archives
 
 
 
  Special
 
 
 
  About Us
 
 
 

Newsletter
Free E-mail Newsletter from BYTE.com

 
    
           
Visit the home page Browse the four-year online archive Download platform-neutral CPU/FPU benchmarks Find information for advertisers, authors, vendors, subscribers Request free information on products written about or advertised in BYTE Submit a press release, or scan recent announcements Talk with BYTE's staff and readers about products and technologies

ArticlesHigh-Speed Modems Ratings


October 1997 / BYTE Hardware Lab Report / High-Speed Modems Ratings


Best Overall/56-Kbps Modems X2 Technology: U.S. Robotics Courier V. Everything V.34 (E)

Excellent performance and a high feature score more than compensated for below-average usability and propelled the U.S. Robotics Courier V.Everything V.34 external modem into first place among X2 modems. The U.S. Robotics Courier V.Everything V.34 internal modem finished close behind its external sibling.
Price Technology Implementation Performance Features Usability Overall Rating
U.S. Robotics Courier V.Everything V.34 (E) $275 **** *** **** ***** ** ****
U.S. Robotics Courier V.Everything V.34 (I) $245 **** *** **** ***** **** ****
MaxTech GVC NetPacer Pro XPVS561 (I) $149 **** ** **** *** *** ****
Logicode Quicktel 56P (I) $169.95 **** *** *** *** ***** ****
Cardinal Connecta (E) $199 **** ** **** *** *** ****
Archtek America SmartLink 5634BTV (I) $149.99 **** ** **** *** * ***
Practical Peripherals PP Data/Fax (E) $239 **** ** *** ** *** ***
Zypcom Z34-SC (E) $179 **** *** *** *** *** ***
Key: ***** Outstanding, **** Very Good, *** Good, ** Fair, * Poor, (I) = Internal, (E) = External
Weightings: Performance 70%, Usability 20%, Features 10%.

Best Overall: 56-Kbps Modems/K56Flex Technology: Zoom Telephonics 2849-PC (E)

Besting not only its K56flex companions, but the entire X2 field as well, the Zoom Telephonics 2849-PC external modem was our overall winner. Its top performance score was boosted by above-average usability and an adequate array of features. The internal version of the 2849-PC took fourth place, behind the two X2 Couriers.
Price Technology Implementation Performance Features Usability Overall Rating
Zoom Telephonics 2849-PC (E) $199 **** *** ***** *** **** *****
Zoom Telephonics 2849-PC (I) $199 **** *** **** *** **** ****
Diamond Multimedia Systems SupraExpress (I) $149.95 **** *** **** *** *** ****
Practical Peripherals PP K56 Flex (I) $179 **** ** **** *** ** ****
Diamond Multimedia Systems SupraExpress (E) $169.95 **** *** **** *** *** ****
Motoro la ModemSurfr (E) $179 **** ** **** *** ** ****
Hayes Accura 56K (E) $189 **** ** **** ** *** ****
Motorola ModemSurfr (I) $159 **** ** **** *** ** ****
Boca Research BocaModem (E) $169 **** *** *** **** *** ***
Apex Data Rapid Transit (I) $148 **** * *** *** * **
Key: ***** Outstanding, **** Very Good, *** Good, ** Fair, * Poor, (I) = Internal, (E) = External
Weightings: Performance 70%, Usability 20%, Features 10%.

Best Overall: ISDN Modems: 3Com Impact IQ

Althoug h pricey, the $399 3Com Impact IQ ISDN external modem combines the performance, features, and usability you'll want for your ISDN connection. Bargain hunters should consider the $195 Arescom Flash 200, which turned in top performance at a rock-bottom price.
Price Technology Implementation Performance Features Usability Overall Rating
3Com Impact IQ $399 **** **** ***** ***** **** *****
ZyXel omni.net $299 **** **** ***** ***** **** ****
Motorola ISG BitSurfr Pro EZ $285 **** **** ***** **** **** ****
Boca Research Webglider $399 **** **** ***** **** **** ****
U.S. Robotics Courier I-Modem w/V.Everything $370 **** **** ***** ***** **** ****
Hayes Microcomputer Products Accura $279 **** **** ***** **** **** ****
Arescom Flash 200 $195 **** *** ***** **** *** ****
Key: ***** Outstanding, **** Very Good, *** Good, ** Fair, * Poor, (I) = Internal, (E) = External
Weightings: Performance 50%, Usability 30%, Features 20%.

U.S. Robotics Courier V.Everything V.34

photo_link (35 Kbytes)


Zoom Telephonics 2849-PC

photo_link (34 Kbytes)


3Com Impact IQ

photo_link (29 Kbytes)


Up to the BYTE Hardware Lab Report section contentsGo to previous article: Go to next article: DetailsSearchSend a comment on this articleSubscribe to BYTE or BYTE on CD-ROM  
Flexible C++
Matthew Wilson
My approach to software engineering is far more pragmatic than it is theoretical--and no language better exemplifies this than C++.

more...

BYTE Digest

BYTE Digest editors every month analyze and evaluate the best articles from Information Week, EE Times, Dr. Dobb's Journal, Network Computing, Sys Admin, and dozens of other CMP publications—bringing you critical news and information about wireless communication, computer security, software development, embedded systems, and more!

Find out more

BYTE.com Store

BYTE CD-ROM
NOW, on one CD-ROM, you can instantly access more than 8 years of BYTE.
 
The Best of BYTE Volume 1: Programming Languages
The Best of BYTE
Volume 1: Programming Languages
In this issue of Best of BYTE, we bring together some of the leading programming language designers and implementors...

Copyright © 2005 CMP Media LLC, Privacy Policy, Your California Privacy rights, Terms of Service
Site comments: webmaster@byte.com
SDMG Web Sites: BYTE.com, C/C++ Users Journal, Dr. Dobb's Journal, MSDN Magazine, New Architect, SD Expo, SD Magazine, Sys Admin, The Perl Journal, UnixReview.com, Windows Developer Network