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From: tnixon@hayes.uucp (Toby Nixon)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: Re: Wanted: Advise on a modem for my PC.
Message-ID: <2306@hayes.uucp>
Date: 24 Oct 90 00:30:11 GMT
References: <6758@suns401.cel.co.uk>
Organization: Hayes Microcomputer Products, Norcross, GA
Lines: 42

In article <6758@suns401.cel.co.uk>, njm@cel writes:

>   Are there any very strong reasons for not getting an internal modem?

Particularly with high-end V.32/V.42bis modems, you'll find that in 
some cases the modem costs as much or more than your PC is worth!  
If you ever decide to upgrade to another system, you must consider 
that if you have an internal modem, you'll lose the investment in 
the modem unless you restrict your upgrade choices to systems with 
the same bus structure.  In your case, you'd be stuck upgrading only 
to ISA (PC AT) bus systems; Microchannel PCs, Macs, Suns, and just 
about everything else would mean you'd have to shelve the modem or 
try to sell it.  This is the single strongest reason I have for 
preferring external modems.

Others:  I like seeing the lights to diagnose problems.  I like 
being able to shut the modem off, if my software breaks and I don't 
have a quick way to get off-line.  I don't like putting a major 
power draw and source of heat inside my PC unnecessarily.  I don't 
like adding yet another way for lightning to get into my PC (the 
phone cable).  I don't like to waste a slot.  I don't like 
dedicating a COM port address to a single device, when I can use an 
A/B/C/D switch externally to switch between my modem and other 
devices.  I like to be able to swap modems without opening up the 
case of my PC.

There are certain advantages to internal modems (don't need a cable; 
harder to steal; don't take up a wall outlet or spot on your power 
bus; don't need to turn off their power separately), but, 
personally, I think the advantages of an external far outweigh the 
internal.

And, of course, if you buy an external, you can give consideration 
to the Hayes Ultra 96!  :-)

	-- Toby

--
Toby Nixon, Principal Engineer    | Voice   +1-404-449-8791  Telex 151243420
Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc. | Fax     +1-404-447-0178  CIS   70271,404
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