VI. Profiles of High-speed Modems

Here are profiles of some high-speed modems. The list is not comprehensive, nor is it intended to be. Unless noted otherwise, the street price quoted are from PC Connection (800-243-8088) in PC Magazine (5/26/92). PC Connection generally does not offer the lowest price, but the service is excellent. I have dealt with PC Connection and MacConnection (800-800-4444) for years and have yet to be disappointed with their services.

Unless noted otherwise, a V.32/V.42bis modem supports V.32, MNP2-5, V.42/V.42bis. And a V.32bis/V.42bis modem supports V.32bis, MNP 2-5, V.42/V.42bis. Some units also support MNP 10 which is developed to overcome the hostile environment (such as celullar phone lines).

Some of the units mentioned here are fax modems.

VI.1. ATI 9600etc/e

ATI Technologies is well known for their video adapters. But they also make a V.32/V.42bis external modem. It is a generic high-speed modem that works well. PC Connection is selling the ATI 9600etc/e at $369.

I have been using an ATI 9600etc/e for more than a year now and I am very pleased with it. I will not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

There are two things I really like about the ATI modem:

* It has a slide volume control on the outside so you can easily adjust the volume by hand.

* It has factory settings for three different modes: V.32 only, V.32 with MNP5, V.32 with V.42bis. It is very convenient if you need to initialize the modem in different ways.

VI.2. CompuCom SpeedModems

As we mentioned earlier, CompuCom SpeedModem Champ offered a lowcost alternative to PC users. CompuCom also made modems that implemented the V.32 and V.32bis protocols in addition to its proprietary protocol. Since CompuCom is no longer in business, it's probably not a good idea to purchase a CompuCom modem now.

VI.2.a. Champ

The SpeedModem Champ is a 9600 bps high-speed modem with CompuCom's proprietary CSP modulation protocol. It is introduced in early 1991. The CompuCom Champ is supported by hundreds of BBS in the U.S., including heavyweights such as EXEC-PC and Channel 1.

VI.2.b. Storm

The SpeedModem Storm is a dual-mode modem. It supports both CSP and V.32/V.42bis.

VI.2.c. Star

The SpeedModem Star is also a dualmode modem. It supports both CSP and V.32bis/V.42bis.

VI.3. Hayes Modems

Hayes used to be the leader in the modem market. The Hayes SmartModem 1200 and 2400 have been the industry standards for many years. However, Hayes has not been as successful in the high-speed modem market.

VI.3.a. V-series Smartmodem 9600

Introduced in 1987, this is a high-speed modem that supports the proprietary Hayes Express 96 modulation protocol. The V-series Smartmodem 9600 is still available from various mail order vendors. There is also an internal unit called V-series Smartmodem 9600B.

VI.3.b. Smartmodem 9600

Introduced in 1988, the Smartmodem 9600 is a V.32 modem. It does not support any error control or data compression protocol. Don't confuse this unit with the V-series Smartmodem 9600.

VI.3.c. Ultra 96

Ultra 96 is a dual-mode modem from Hayes. Introduced in 1990, the Ultra 96 supports both V.32/V.42bis and the Hayes Express 96 modulation protocol. Ultra 96 has many unique features that are not needed if you are calling BBS or online services. The current street price is $669.

VI.3.d. Ultra 144

Ultra 144 is a dual-mode modem that supports both V.32bis/V.42bis and the Hayes Express 96 protocol. The current street price is $799.

VI.3.e. Optima 96

Optima 96 is a plain vanilla V.32/V.42bis modem. This is Hayes' answer to the "generic" V.32/V.42bis modem. The current street price is $389.

VI.3.f. Optima 144

Optima 144 is a plain vanilla V.32bis/V.42bis modem. This is Hayes' answer to the "generic" V.32bis/V.42bis modem.

VI.4. Intel Modems

Besides the 80x86 CPU, Intel also makes many peripherals for the IBM PC. The Intel modems are solid products that perform well. The new SatisFAXtion 400 and 400e are priced aggressively to compete with the low-cost units offered by other vendors.

VI.4.a. 9600EX

The 9600EX is a V.32/V.42bis modem.

VI.4.b. 14.4EX

The 14.4EX is a V.32bis/V.42bis modem. PC Connection is selling the 9600EX for $469 and the 14.4EX for $549.

VI.4.C. SatisFAXtion 400 and 400e

Intel's original SatisFAXtion is arguably the best fax modem in the PC market. Intel recently introduced two V.32bis/V.42bis fax modems - the SatisFAXtion 400 and 400e. The SatisFAXtion 400 is an internal unit for IBM microcomputers. It carries a list price of $499. The SatisFAXtion 400e is an external unit (with a list price of $549).

Both the SatisFAXtion 400 and 400e support Group3/Class 2/CAS fax at 14400 bps.

VI.5. Microcom Modem

Microcom is a major modem manufacturer. However, Microcom products are not normally sold through retail stores or mail order companies.

MicroPorte 4232bis

As the name suggests, the MicroPorte 4232bis is a V.32bis/V.42bis modem. It also supports MNP 10. The MicroPorte 4232bis is a pocket modem (the unit measured 4.5x2.75x1.5 inches). The MicroPorte 4232bis lists for $899.

VI.6. Practical Peripherals Modems

Practical Peripherals has been making Hayes-compatible modems for many years (it's owned by Hayes, by the way). The Practical Peripherals modems are compatible with the Hayes Ultra modems. Since the Hayes Ultra modems are supported by most communications software, you wouldn't need to worry about configuring the software to work with the Practical Peripherals modems.

VI.6.a. PM9600SA and PM9600

The PM9600SA is a V.32/V.42bis modem. It is designed to be compatible with the Hayes Ultra 96. That means you can tell your communications software that you have a Hayes Ultra 96. However, the PM9600SA only responds to a subset of the commands supported by the Hayes Ultra 96. Any commands specific to the Hayes Ultra 96 that are not implemented in the PM9600SA will be ignored.

Some early PM9600SA units have quite a few problems connecting to other V.32 modems. (Make sure you send in the warranty card.) Practical Peripheral has since sent out several ROM upgrades and the current shipping units seem to be working fine.

Practical Peripherals also makes an internal modem that features a 16550 UART. You can get the PM9600SA for $289 and the internal PM9600 for $275. Both PM9600SA and PM9600 now come with a lifetime guarantee.

VI.6.b. PM14400FXSA and PM14400FX

The PM14400FXSA ($399) is an external V.32bis/V.42bis modem. PM14400FX ($359) is an internal unit. (Both of them come with a lifetime guarantee.) The modems come with QuickLink II. I'm currently testing a PM14400FX. It seems to work O.K. (However, the speaker died after a week of usage.)

The PM14400FXSA and PM14400FX support Group 3/Class 1 fax at 9600 bps.

VI.7. Prometheus Modems

Prometheus modems are available from many Macintosh mail order companies. Until recently, Prometheus is the only manufacturer that makes high-speed modems with fax capability.

VI.7.a. Promodem 9600 Plus

Promodem 9600 Plus is a V.32/V.42bis modem. It can also send and receive Group III fax at 9600 bps.

VI.7.b. Promodem Ultima and Ultima Home Office

Prometheus Ultima is a V.32bis/V.42bis fax modem. It can also send and receive Group III fax at 9600 bps. The Ultima Home Office adds voice capability. PC Connection sells the Ultima Home Office (internal) for $489. MacConnection sells the Ultima Home Office (external) for $489.

VI.8. Supra Modem

Although Supra is not be a household name, it's a major vendor in the market for Commodore Amiga.

SupraFaxModem V.32bis

Supra announced the SupraFaxModem V.32bis at the Fall Comdex last year. With a suggested list price of $399 (without software), the SupraFaxModem became one of the most anticipated product in the past 6 months. However, Supra did not ship the product on schedule. The SupraFaxModem was supposed to ship in January but was delayed until March. There were also some problems with the early units. If you're buying the SupraFaxModem, I'd recommend you purchase it from a vendor that offers a money-back guarantee. (This recommendation applies to all the inexpensive V.32bis modems.)

The SupraFaxModem V.32bis supports Group 3/Class2 fax.

VI.9. Telebit Modems

Telebit makes several modems. The prices quoted for the Telebit modems are their new list prices.

VI.9.a. TrailBlazer Plus

$849. Introduced in 1985, the Trailblazer has been the de facto standard in the UNIX UUCP and Usenet communities. With the new pricing, you should consider the T2500 or the T3000 instead of the TrailBlazer Plus if you need to connect to a Telebit PEP modem.

VI.9.b. T1000

Introduced in 1988, the T1000 is the little brother of the TrailBlazer Plus. The T1000 supports PEP at a slower speed. The actual throughput is about 9600 cps. The current list price is $699. Unlike the TrailBlazer Plus, the T1000 does not have callback or password security.

VI.9.c. T2500

$949. Introduced in 1989 when V.32 modems started to enter the market, the T2500 supports both V.32/V.42bis and PEP. The maximum throughput is 19,200 bps due to the limitation imposed by the older Rockwell chipset used.

VI.9.d. T1600

$699. The T1600 is a V.32/V.42bis modem introduced in 1991. It provides builtin support for UUCP and offers password and callback security.

VI.9.e. T3000

$949. This is a V.32bis/V.42bis modem. If you need PEP, you can upgrade the T3000 to a WorldBlazer (see below).

VI.9.f. QBlazer

$599. QBlazer is the first portable V.32/V.42bis modem (2.3"x2.4"x2.4"). It works with a 9-volt battery for about two hours.

VI.9.g. WorldBlazer

This is the latest and greatest Telebit modem. The WorldBlazer is a dual-mode modem that is equipped with Turbo PEP and V.32bis/V.42bis. If you already own a Telebit modem, you can purchase a WorldBlazer (for $549) through Telebit's Loyalty Pays Again program until June 30, 1992.

Note that T1600, T2500, T3000, and the WorldBlazer all offer the following features:

* Built-in support for UNIX UUCP, Xmodem, Ymodem, Kermit file transfer protocols

* Two types of dial-access security: password security and call-back security

* Remote management and diagnostics

VI.10. U.S. Robotics Modems

U.S. Robotics has been extremely successful with its high-speed modems. Here are its current offerings:

VI.10.a. Courier HST

This is the modem that made U.S. Robotics the king of PC-based BBS communities. Unless you are only going to communicate with other USR HST modems, it is probably not a good idea to purchase this unit. The street price for a Courier HST is $550-$600.

VI.10.b. Courier V.32bis

Introduced in 1990, this is a V.32bis/V.42bis modem. It does not support HST. The current street price for a Courier V.32bis is $530-$570.

VI.10.c. Courier HST Dual Standard

This unit is introduced in 1990. If you need to connect to HST modems and also want to be able to talk to other V.32/V.32bis modems, this is the modem to buy. Its current street price is around $800. The street price for a HST Dual Standard is $800. (Note that earlier HST Dual Standard modems only support V.32 and not V.32bis.) The HST Dual Standard is considered by many BBS users as the best modem money can buy. In March 1992, U.S. Robotics shipped a Courier Dual Standard with a 16800-bps HST mode.

The only reservation I have about the Courier modems is their size. The external Courier modems are rather bulky: 8.3" wide, 12.65" deep, 1.57" tall. I would not want to carry one of these with me when I travel. Incidentally, the new Courier Dual Standard is substantially trimmer in size.

VI.10.d. Sportster 9600 V.42bis

This unit is introduced in 1991. The Sportster 9600 is an entry level V.32/V.42bis modem from U.S. Robotics. The list price is $645 for the external version. ($595 for the Internal version).

VI.10.e. WorldPort 9600 V.32

The WorldPort 9600 is a portable pocket modem. Originally made by Touchbase Systems, the WorldPort 9600 is a V.32/MNP5 modem. It does not support V.42/V.42bis. The WorldPort 9600 works with a 9-volt battery. The list price is $699.

V.11. Zoom Modems

Zoom Telephonics has been making Hayes-compatible modems for quite some times now. I have used many Zoom modems in the past and they have proven to be reliable and inexpensive.

VI.11.a. V.32 Turbo

Zoom has been making Hayes-compatible modems for a long time. The V.32 Turbo is their entry into the high-speed modem arena. The V.32 Turbo is a V.32/V.42bis with a 12000 bps turbo mode which is compatible with a V.32bis modem at 12000 bps. Zoom also makes an internal version of the V.32 Turbo that features a 16550 UART. PC Connection sells the the internal model for $329.

VI.11.b. VFX V.32bis and VFP V.32bis

VFX V.32bis is an external V.32bis/V.42bis modem (list price $449). The internal version is called VFP V.32bis ($399). Both come with MTEZ (which includes ExpressFax) for IBM PC. Zoom also offers a Macintosh version that comes with QuickLink II ($449). MacConnection is selling the VFX V.32bis for $299.

The Zoom VFX V.32bis and VFP V.32bis support Group3/Class 2 fax.

VI.12. Things to come

Almost every modem manufacturer makes at least one V.32/V.42bis modem and a V.32bis/V.42bis modem now. The price for V.32 and V.32bis modems will continue to drop. In the past few months, the price difference between V.32/V.42bis and V.32bis/V.42bis modems is diminishing.

Many new modems introduced in the past few months also offer fax capability. You can expect modem manufacturers to include fax capability as a standard feature in their products if they haven't done so already.