Strong And Steady...A Great Cable Modem
Written: May 18 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very easy to install and operate. Nice, slim size.
Cons: No on/off switch or reset button
The Bottom Line: If you are looking for a stable cable modem that is easy to install and maintenance-free, the PCX1000 is for you.
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| gym-378's Full Review: Toshiba DOCSIS Cable PCX1000 (DAZ8801F-R) |
When I agreed to Beta test Road Runner high speed cable access a couple of years ago, Time Warner Cable agreed to give me a free network interface card (NIC) and cable modem for the testing. The modem that I was offered was the Toshiba PCX1000. This modem is still sitting on my desk serving up high speed access and I have never had a problem with the modem itself.
What Is It??
Think of the PCX1000 as the switchboard for your Internet connection. It connects to your cable line and your computer and facilitates the transfer of information between your computer and the Internet.
Physically, the PCX1000 is similar in looks to many 56.6 external modems, standing 6" tall, 2" wide, and about 8" deep. The front panel of the modem provides LED displays for the modem's power, cable connection, PC connection, and data transfer. The rear of the modem provides an RJ-45 data jack for attaching a Category V patch cable and also has a cable jack and power supply jack.
How Easy Is It To Install?
Installing the PCX1000 is a snap. Just run a Coaxial cable from the cable jack in your wall (you can use an approved splitter if you need to. Check with your cable company for the proper splitter) and then run a Category V patch cable from your computer's NIC to the back of the modem. Plug it in and the cable modem is ready to go.
Are There Any Downsides?
Yes. First of all, you need to have Road Runner or some other high speed access account. I count this as a downside because of the cost. Currently, high speed access run upwards of $35 per month. Compared to the price of traditional dial-up communication, this is a bit steep for most. However, when you consider that a second telephone line for your modem would run $20 per month and a traditional dial-up service (like AOL or EarthLink) costs $20 per month, the price doesn't look that bad.
The other downside is that there is no power switch or reset button on the modem. The only way to disconnect power from the modem is to "pull the plug". Although this might not sound a big deal, the more you pull a plug in and out, the more likely the chance that you'll bend a pin, which could disable your modem. I know it sounds like I'm being picky, but if I could tell the designers one thing to improve, it would be to add an on/off switch or reset button.
How About Reliability?
As I mentioned earlier, this modem has been sitting on my desk serving up high speed access for two years now. I have never had to do anything other than unplug the power cable to reset the modem. No maintenance, no firmware upgrades, no nothing! In my book, any piece of computer hardware that can serve its purpose for two years with no maintenance deserves five stars!
Where Do I Get It?
Although many cable companies like Time Warner have switched to 3Com cable modems, others are still using the Toshiba since it is such a good modem. You might check with your company to see if it is available. The other option is to purchase it directly from Toshiba. You can buy the PCX1000 online from Toshiba for $249.
Overall
Because of the PCX1000's great reliability and easy of installation/use, I give it five stars. Any hardware that can perform this well with no upgrades or maintenance is definitely worth its weight in gold.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): Free
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gym-378
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Location: Kansas City, MO
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