Get a modem with FLASH memory

Your modem is controlled by one of two types of memory chips, Flash or ROM. Flash memory can be changed, ROM memory can not. Flash memory costs a little more than ROM (frozen) memory, but it allows your modem to be easily updated. This is important! It's a fact that periodic new versions of modem code will refine V.90 compatibility and performance. For this reason, it is very important to get a name brand V.90 modem made by a company committed to providing flash updates for your modem after the sale. Avoid the impulse to save ten bucks on a no-name or 'house brand' modem. All modems are NOT alike and all modem companies are not committed to supporting your modem after the sale. (Tip: Avoid cheap NewComers) Choose wisely and your V.90 modem should serve you well for years to come.

Just say NO to No-Names

No-name modems sell on price. They often skimp on parts to keep cost down. It is not unusual for no-name or house brands to use hard coded ROM memory, instead of flash, and to use less expensive ROM DSP modem chips. With the V.90 standard now a done deal, the last thing you want is to get a pre-standard modem with a hard coded 'ROM DSP'. These modem chips have their modem Digital Signal Processing algorithms hard-wired, or frozen, such that they cannot be updated. (What you get is what you got) These modems may not be compatible or upgradable to V.90. Why take a chance? To save ten bucks? Nahhh. Name brand modem companies use RAM based DSP chips, so the modems can be updated after you buy them. Flash code files can update DSP code and program code. Name brand companies regularly post new modem code files on their web sites, which can be downloaded for free.

Buy a Name Brand

Dozens of companies sell modems, but there are really only four top Brand Name manufacturers at retail. These are Zoom, Diamond, Hayes and 3COM. WARNING! Motorola has quit the modem business and is closing their factory. With future support uncertain, we recommend avoiding Motorola modems. Don't fall for the fire sale to save a few bucks, you want a modem with a company committed to the modem biz and its customers. (See also PC Week 10-2-97, ZDNN 10-7-97, Inter@ctive Week 10-15-97)

Buy from a Company that will be around for awhile

The modem business is going through a period of consolidation. Some companies are going out of the modem biz (like Motorola and Logicode) or getting acquired by the larger modem companies (like Practical Peripherals). If a company folds, you won't be able to get code updates for your modem. Even if a company had some name recognition a few years ago, unless it is one of today's major players, don't assume the smaller company will be around for the long term. If you want to get years of use and compatibility from your modem, play it safe and buy the name brand. (Zoom, Diamond or Hayes or 3COM)

Should I wait to Buy my V.90 modem?

We don't think so. Take a look at our V.90 Cost Justification page and you can see, it doesn't pay to wait. Unless you already have a K56flex or X2 modem, you can gain a lot by upgrading that old tired 28.8 or even worse 14.4 modem NOW. It doesn't make sense to wait for modem code refinements to be issued because this will be an ongoing process as V.90 is deployed (unless you bought a no-name and are stuck with what you got for code). The major manufacturers have made this a simple and free process. You can download the latest code from their web sites.

Should I get an Internal or External V90 Modem?

We like external modems for ease of installation, LED indicators and portability. Without even powering down your PC, you can move an external modem real quick to another computer, PC or MAC. And it's nice to have LEDs showing what the modem is doing. You are never left guessing if the modem is 'off-hook'. External modems only cost about $10 more than internals (externals have plastic housing, LEDs and a power supply that internal modems don't have). Installing an internal modem is not rocket science, but you do have to open up your PC, which can always turn into trouble. Then there is the Plug and Pray issue, of getting resources assigned from Windows. Generally, internal PNP is a bit messier than just plugging in an external modem and connecting a serial cable to your existing COM port. Internal or External? We think the external is well worth the little extra money. Go for it. (Of course, if you have a notebook or laptop PC or MAC, you need to get a PCMCIA V.90 modem)

So which Modem should I buy?

Zoom, Diamond, Hayes and 3COM are all shipping V.90 modems. But since Hayes August announcment of pulling back from the analog modem business, we can only recommend Zoom, Diamond Supra or a 3COM.

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Reality Check

Just so you don't think that our recomendation to buy a V.90 modem NOW is some overzealous hyperbole, let's explain... In reality, few ISPs are running V.90 code yet. So if you get a V.90 modem, like they said in Ghostbusters, "who you gonna call?" It won't be until late summer or fall until large numbers of ISPs deploy V90 central site code.

The point is, PCM modem technology (K56flex or X2) works a lot better than old slow modems do. Connecting in the 40K to 50K range is a heck of a lot better than connecting at 14.4 or 28.8. So, if you have a slow 14.4 or v.34 modem, you should upgrade NOW. And if you are buying a new modem, make sure it's from a name brand company, committed to free flash updates, so it will do proper V.90 when V90 is deployed by your ISP.

By the year 2000 this may be different, but now it is important to get a modem that does TWO high speed protocols, V.90 plus one of the other PCM defacto standards, K56flex or X2. The defacto standard protocols are up and running in many ISPs today. Make sure to choose the same PCM standard as your ISP uses, K56flex or X2, so you can benefit immediately from increased speeds. Buy an external modem if you want a simple install, LED indicators and portability. Last and most important point, buy a name brand (Zoom, Diamond or 3COM), so you can get flash updates as V.90 is refined.