15 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
Mine is Blue, what colour is Yours?
Date of Review: Oct 10, 2001
The Bottom Line: A compact, easy to use modem that looks good!
Over the past few years computers have started to become more and more fashionable. Along with this new computer designs such as the look of Apple computers have become more trendy. Along with this trend to start making computers pleasant to look at the peripherals that acompany computers are also getting a make over. Why this is happening I don't know, may be to increase sales? This is not an opinion about that, I just thought it was a good way to start off my review of the Diamond Max 56k Modem, which by the way is a nice relaxing blue colour!
** Specification **
This is a standard Hayes compatible modem, which compies to the K56Flex and V.90 communication standards. This basically means that this modem will work with virtually every Internet Service Provider in Europe (handy if you travel about!).
The max transfer rate is 56kbps (or 56000bps), which is the fastest that you will get a modem at the moment, although I couldn't say about the future. The modem can also handle faxes at 14.4kbps (or 14400bps).
The modem connects to the computer via your USB (Universal Serial Bus) Port, which makes it very easy to install (more on this later). This is also good as it measn that the modem does not require a plug of its own, as it gets the power from the USB Port. This is fantastic if you have a shortage of plugs. This is one of the reasons why I went for a USB connection.
The modems requires at least Windows 98 with an Intel Pentium 133 MHz (or compatible) with 16 MB of RAM and 6 MB of hard drive space (for the software). A CD-ROM Drive is also required for no other reason than to install the software.
** Installation **
This could not be easier, all you have to do is plug the modem into one of the USB Ports on your computer, this is then detected (hopefully) by your computer. You will then be prompted for the software instalation disk, put this in and then fllow the instructions. There you have it, your modem is now ready to use, a quick and easy installation (and no wondering which comm port you plugged it into!).
The next thing that you have to do, if you have not done so already is to install your ISP Software. I am not going to write about this, but I will give you a quick warning. If you are going to play about finding out which ISP is good for you don't install numerous bits of software from these various ISPs. If you are going to try more than one uninstall the software from yoour computer before trying the new one. If you don't you may find that your computer is mucked up, believe me it is not a pretty situation to be in!
** Using the Modem **
I like this modem for many reasons, one it is blue, two it hides the anoying sounds of it communicating from you, which is good in some ways (doesn't give you a headache) but bad in others (you can't tell if there is something wrong). But overall this doesn?t matter too much, it it is taking too long you can always quit connecting. While hiding the sounds of it connecting to your ISP, it does produce the sounds when dialing the ISP number and it produces a sound when it starts talking, what else do you need to know.
** More Information **
For more information on this particular modem you can visit the website, which is located at www.sonicblue.com and select products from the option bar and then click on the Diamond section. Here you can download the software and drivers for your moden. Look at the specifiation in full and look at the manuals for the moden, if you have lost your own.
** My Thoughts **
This is a great modem to get if you don't have enough space inside your computer for an internal modem (which are cheaper, but are a lot more hassle!). The installation was very, very easy and the price was not too bad, at #47 I thought that it was quite reasonable.
