Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!spool.mu.edu!uunet!hayes!tnixon From: tnixon@hayes.uucp Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems Subject: Re: Which is better to have? Message-ID: <3916.280d9804@hayes.uucp> Date: 18 Apr 91 12:58:43 GMT Article-I.D.: hayes.3916.280d9804 References: <91106.183103MCARR@auvm.auvm.edu> Organization: Hayes Microcomputer Products, Norcross, GA Lines: 53 In article <91106.183103MCARR@auvm.auvm.edu>, MCARR@auvm.auvm.edu (mike carr) writes: > Which is better to have and why? An interior modem or external modem? With an external modem, you have LED indicators, which can help diagnose problems. If there is a problem with your software or something, you can just reach over and turn off the modem's power switch to hang up the phone line, which you can't do with an internal modem without turning off the computer. An external modem is independent of the bus structure of the computer -- you can use it with a Sun, Mac, PC XT, PC AT, EISA, MCA, minicomputer, whatever, and move between those systems at will, while an internal modem only works on a specific system (and when you consider that high-speed modems are still fairly expensive, the ability to continue using it after you upgrade your computer system is important). An external modem doesn't use up a slot in your computer, especially if you already have a built-in serial port that's free. It's much easier to share an external modem between systems using an A/B switch. An external modem doesn't introduce another source of heat and electronic "noise" into your computer. If you want to replace an external modem, get it repaired, or temporarily connect a different modem for testing, it's a cinch. An external modem can easily be changed from async to sync operation and plugged into different kinds of serial ports. If you ever want to use an external device to power up your computer when a call comes in, an external modem can control it but an internal modem can't. An internal modem, on the other hand, doesn't require a cable (which saves a little money), and doesn't take up space on your desk. It's harder to steal, if you're in an area where that's an issue. You also don't have to buy a separate serial card -- but you DO have to worry about the IRQ/address of the modem colliding with built-in serial ports in your system. You don't have another power cord to worry about, and you don't have to worry about finding another AC outlet to plug into. The modem automatically turns on when the PC is turned on. Because an internal modem doesn't have a cabinet or power transformer, it is generally cheaper than an external modem of equivalent capability -- but many high-end modems now come ONLY in external versions, primarily for the portability reasons I cited above. Personally, I prefer external modems, because I'm always doing testing and swapping modems around. You have to decide for yourself based on what reasons are important to you. -- Toby -- Toby Nixon, Principal Engineer | Voice +1-404-840-9200 Telex 151243420 Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc. | Fax +1-404-447-0178 CIS 70271,404 P.O. Box 105203 | UUCP uunet!hayes!tnixon AT&T !tnixon Atlanta, Georgia 30348 USA | Internet hayes!tnixon@uunet.uu.net