Need new a modem and router or combo.
2My modem and router are from 2006 or 7. It’s probably time to replace as with the newest mac system update I am now having issues. Internet in this small apartment is hardwired in 1984 to comcast so not exactly a plus and we can’t use anything other than that (eg no dish) or we can use AT&T phone line (so 3mbps - um no thanks. I had that in the long distant past and adding the cost of a landline will make that expensive). I also don’t need speed as I have to buy the slowest they offer anyway due to cost - but longevity for the future matters so I don’t have to buy a new one for a while. I also don’t need something for a big place as I live in 2 rooms, 525sf.
Anyone have suggestions for something compatible with comcast that won’t break the bank? I had originally bought a separate modem and router incase one broke so I didn’t have to replace both. While the lights no longer work on the router, it at least still works. The modem still works. As a result I am not married to the idea to have a separate router and modem unless that is now more of a problem than what I have (fortunately) experienced.
Thanks in advance.
- 4 comments, 7 replies
- Comment
What exactly is the problem with the current device(s)? While I don’t have any suggestions on new hardware, the issue might be something as simple as just needing a replacement AC adapter. Also wifi routers are pretty cheap, but if your issue is with wifi saturation, then just moving to 5GHz might help to alleviate that.
KuoH
@kuoh The modem keeps cutting out and I have to keep rebooting it (not a comcast problem). When I reboot it is OK for a while but then drops again. I have been on the phone multiple times with comcast and they can find no problem at their end. Despite the lights not working (except when you first turn it on, the power light used to stay on as long as it was on but no longer does that. I don’t care that the lights are malfunctioing) the router works fine.
@Kidsandliz @kuoh I have Comcast (also called XFinity in some areas) and they still let you use your own stuff. I recently upgraded to a “Mesh” system and I have to say it’s pretty good. Mine are from D-Link and you can buy from Costco or other places. You get a set of 2 or 3 or 4. You set up one where your main router was, and then add others around your house which expands your coverage, and supports much higher speed than my original stuff that was also getting flaky. I put one in a remote office, and another in my garage (near the remote office), and now I have good WiFi in my driveway which is handy when I or someone is in a camper outside, and also my car can get software updates over WiFi now. Has been reliable and good and initial setup was not difficult. A set of 3 will be $200-300 usually. A lot of changing features in newer ones but older ones would still work. Lots of promo deals especially this time of year. I think you want something called at least “Wifi 6” which replaced the old letter terms.
A friend at a different place has AT&T Fiber which is good but you have to use their router equipment which is included. If you want to expand to larger area, you can add units they provide, but for an extra $10/month. I don’t think they let you use your own stuff.
There are plusses and minuses of being in a “closed system” like AT&T. In some ways more secure and automatically managed. But then again what “online” is secure?
EDIT by the way I am on Comcast/XFinity “cable” internet and it goes to a remote room by co-ax cable, and I am still using a “model” I have had for many years. That then goes by hardware net to a downstairs area where it’s patched to the new “Mesh” system. So I’m keeping the old model while swapping the problematic single router to a group of new “mesh”-type ones.
@Kidsandliz @kuoh mmm… This might be a ComCast problem they didn’t expect and are pushing it back onto you.
@Kidsandliz @kuoh @pakopako On this topic my older router would “cut out” exactly as you say. Or would connect on 5GHz but not 2GHz band. Sometimes if you cycled power on it, both freqs would work for a while (“Did you try to turn it off and then back on again? – This is the I.T. group we know how to fix things!”) Searching on the net said this was a common issue as some chips got old or overheated in some router brands. So your situation might already be debugged. Unfortunately the router company responded with “we don’t think there’s a problem” in most cases, so you are on your own for that.
Hence why I said “just try the new thing” and so far has been really good. Other than initial cost as I said about $200+ depending on how new and how many mesh hubs.
Looking for a place to recycle a bunch of old routers I’ve built up through the years.
EDIT also new system seems to connect to both 2G and 5GHz bands automatically and you don’t have to pick. As old nerd guy, I really want to know how/why it works. But for now too busy with other life stuff, so if I plug it in and stuff works, I’m actually OK with that!
@Kidsandliz @kuoh In earlier post I typed “modem” but it auto-corrected to “model” if anyone was confused. I re-read my post and went “model what?” or more likely “model what-T-F?”
Got to turn off the auto-correct.
@Kidsandliz The lights not working can sometimes be an indication of a weak or failing power supply. This can also cause the intermittent loss of connectivity as the power dips below minimum requirements. If it uses the typical wall AC adapter, it might be worth taking a look at the output specs and seeing if you can find a close matching one from something else around the house to test. It doesn’t have to be exact, just close to the same voltage and at least the same or higher current.
KuoH
@Kidsandliz @kuoh @pakopako @pmarin
Maybe you’ve found one with the OP?
Also, it’s more aptly “auto-corrupt”, not “-correct”.
@troy @werehatrack or whomever is in charge: can Emeritus status give us a longer edit window to fix a post with typos or unwanted auto-corrections? Can’t count the number of times I’ve reviewed a discussion over the time limit, and realize that the only “fix” is another post explaining the correction which honestly nobody cares about, except maybe some of my old English teachers.
I appreciate all the comments/suggestions.
The cords are hardwired to the bricks. I suspect age is likely what is killing them. Certainly they are a number of internet “version upgrades” behind. It may also be they don’t play well with the Mac OS Sequoia because they are old. That is why if I can find something decent that is at least somewhat “future proof” for less than $100 it is likely worth replacing what I have. As the place is small and I’d be no further than about 10-15’ max from the modem/router I don’t need a high powered one used in a big house.
Have you looked into 5G cellular internet? I think the “big 3” (Verizon, ATT, TM) all offer it.
About $50 a month maybe at the a la carte rate but phone + internet bundles might bring that down to 1/2 cost per month.
Plenty fast for browsing email YouTube and sane moderate downloads. They supply the modem whicch gives you wifi etc. If you have a complex home network setup or many connected devices you might also want your own router.
But if it’s just a computer a tablet and a phone or two a router in addition might not be needed.
They can go out if a local tower is down.
Otherwise they stay up. The the modem stops responding just reboot.
I had that for a couple of years and it was fine.
Also, no contracts. And no attempts by them to upsell to a data/tv package. At least they never tried that with me.