Features & Benefits:
NOW with V.92 fast connect*
The InModem 56k connection delivers high-speed
voice, data and fax transmission. The InModem ( LUCENT CHIPSET ) has an on board DSP
(Digital Signal Processor) for better CPU (Central Processing Unit)
performance.
- Dual V.90 and K56Flex
- User Friendly Plug and Play
- Data, Fax, voice modem
- Includes desktop faxing and voice software
to achieve V.92 connectivity, your ISP must
support it. If not, the modem reverts to 56K V.90
The above : from the Netcomm web .
Well ive been using this modem for the last week on
my computer and let me tell you it wipes the floor with my swannsmart
turbo external modem . For a long time ive held the view that internal
( pci ) modems were inferior to external modems , due to there price ,
and the fact that they relied somewhat on the computer ( cpu etc ) to
function correctly . Well no more , there is nothing like actually
using one and seeing what it can do first hand , to set you straight .
So far ive tested 3 Drivers with this modem , the original as supplied
with the modem , the 8.10 Drivers , available from Netcomm
and a third driver from Agere 8.22 . I must say that WinXp took to the
8.22 drivers like a duck to water and I have gotten the best
connections ever with Iprimus and at 50.200BPS or 52000BPS time in
time out . The 8.10 drivers from Netcomm were also equally stable but
some times there would be the dreaded double hand shake and the
resulting 32000BPS connection speed , with both Win98 and XP .
With the InModem 56 my connections to iprimus have
been a lot more stable than with my SwannSmart Turbo Ext modem , the
SSt being dropped by ( iprimus ? ) at least 2 times a day at the worst
possible moment , as well I have never been able to get the SSt to
actually work with iprimus and Windows 2000 and XP , I dont know why ,
but with both win2000 and XP the modem just rang out , never
connecting to the server , well , no such problems with the Netcomm
InModem 56 I can happily say . Though to date , win XP seems to be the
more stable platform for surfing the web ( yet to lose the connection
) whilst Win98 still suffers from server drop outs , again at the
worst possible moment , even with the Agere 8.22 drivers .
Conclusion:
The time Ive spent with the Netcomm inModem 56 has
only been a week , but it has certainly impressed me with its
stability , and compatibility , running smoothly ( and better than my
external modem ) with 2 operating systems ( dual boot ) Win98SE and
WinXP . I beleave that the price on this modem Retail is under $50 (
under $40 at some ) from many computer outlets , and for that
kind of money , well that makes this Modem one hell of a value for
money deal , and if you log on at Netcomm and register your modem
purchase online , you can extend the warranty on this modem from one
year to three years , now that ain't too shabby at all . Since the
Agere 8.22 drivers are not official for this modem ( they are official
Agere pci Lucent Chipset Drivers ) and its use at you own risk , Im
not going to give you a direct link to AGERE .. Even though they work
so well with WinXP its not funny , I can tell you that a simple yahoo
search will reward your efforts if you need to try the 8.22drivers .
I have nothing bad to say about this internal modem
at all , it has given me no problems at all , and has only rewarded me
with trouble free operation ( one more thing , dialing in , now get
connected first time , every time , a new experience for me , as with
my ext modem it took at least 3 attempts ) so I hope you all will
understand when I give the Netcomm InModem 56 10 out of 10 , for being
a serious value for money product , and one that I can recommend as a
good / cheap product , and its not too often you can use cheap
and good in the same sentence, but this is one of those rare occasions
, well done Netcomm .
Matt Korhonen
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