Motorola DOCSIS External Cable Modem (SB4100)

Average customer rating: 4.5

out of warranty, so it dies!
It just sits there, hidden behind my printer, chugging away.
Great Product - no question
Good product overall
overall a good unit

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Motorola DOCSIS External Cable Modem (SB4100)

Manufacturer: Motorola
Product Group: CE
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B00005T3T6

Related Categories:

External Modems

Cable Modems

External Modems

Cable Modems

Motorola

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Product Description

Riding the Internet wave just gets better and better. Introducing Motorola's new SURFboard SB4100 cable modem. With software upgrades accessible over the network and USB network connectivity, users no longer need to purchase additional software or open their PC to install a standard Ethernet card. The SB4100 offers both Ethernet and USB interface connectivity to help ensure compatibility with almost any PC or Macintosh network-ready computer system. What's more, a front panel stand-by switch has been added for additional end-user security. It disconnects the USB and Ethernet connection to the CPE without disconnecting the cable modem from the RF network, providing security, flexibility and performance. The SB4100 includes all of the enhanced features of previous SURFboard cable modems, including: incredible speed, high-performance processors, advanced RF design, operator-friendly diagnostics, and top-notch field reliability.

Amazon.com Product Description

The Motorola SURFboard SB4100 cable modem, which is DOCSIS 1.0 CableLabs Certified and Excite@Home Level 2 approved, features both Ethernet and USB interface connectivity to help ensure compatibility with almost any PC or Macintosh network-ready computer system. What's more, a front-panel standby switch has been added for additional end-user security. It disconnects the USB and Ethernet connection to the computer without disconnecting the cable modem from the network, providing security, flexibility, and performance.

The SB4100 is compatible with Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, and NT, as well as Mac OS and Unix platforms. It supports up to 32 users (1 USB and 31 Ethernet) and is ideal for home and small businesses. Its vertical design requires minimum desk space.

The SB4100 comes with a one-year warranty.

Customer Reviews:

out of warranty, so it dies!.......2005-11-06

I had no real problems with this unit until last night, when suddenly it just stopped working. No surges, in fact it's on a line conditioner AND a surge protector. It's got power but the modem will not function. Naturally, the warranty is only 2 years, and mine is 2.5 years old. Argh! Look elsewhere.

It just sits there, hidden behind my printer, chugging away........2004-04-27

In the category of "better late than never," perhaps it's worth while for me to make a comment or two about a flawless piece of computer hardware that has been in place and running continously, without problems, for more than three years now. Normally, I do my best-when reviewing computer hardware and software-to review in a timely manner, so that others might benefit from my experiences. But something different happened with this Motorola cable modem.

I actually made the switch to broadband, as I said, more than three years ago. This Motorola SB4100 cable modem was "part of the deal" from my cable service providor when I made the switch. The unit ended up getting tucked behind my printer, and for all this time, I pretty much ignored it and simply took it for granted. (The vertical design, with the small footprint, makes it very easy to tuck away in the way I did. And also makes it easy to forget that it's there.)

About the only time I paid it any attention was when I installed a router to add another Mac to my office. But this was barely enough attention to simply swap out cables, in order to run the ethernet cable to the router, rather than to the original Mac that ended up with a "partner."

I really didn't even pay it any mind when, not long ago, my cable provider offered to boost my speed, as part of a new and different package of services. The cable modem handled the increased speed with aplomb, and with nary a need for me to notice, again, its existence, hidden away the way it is.

So, consider this a usage-based testimonial, after those three plus years, for a device that fits into the "plug it in; then forget about it" category (and fits into virtually no space at all). By now, it owes me nothing. Yet, despite the fact that Motorola has supplanted the SB4100 with, first, the SB4200 (substantially the same item), and, later, the SB5100, I see absolutely no need to get "the latest and greatest": this Model SB4100 fit my needs then, and continues to do so now.

It's not often that three-years-after-the-fact testimonials of this type are so easy to provide, and honestly at that.

Bob Zeidler

Great Product - no question.......2003-04-10

No need to write any review - simply superb. Just buy it.

Good product overall.......2003-03-08

I purchased this modem (SB4100) to replace the 3com office connect which was not compatible with either cable company in my area. I have had it for almost a year now, and overall I just forget about it, since it works great. I tested both USB and Ethernet connection and both work, even though I am using the ethernet port with my router. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is that once in a while (maybe every other month or so), for no apparent reason, I have to reset it. The standby button while great, is of no use assuming you have a good router/firewall. I would recommend it overall (the newer SB4200 is essentially the same).

overall a good unit.......2003-01-29

This was easy to set up and is generally very good. Occasionally, I will lost my connection with it and after calling the cable company and determining it isnt the signal.. I have been told to unplug the unit to *reset* it... I have had to do this multiple times.

I think this unit needs a power button and a reset button for cases like this. That said, most of the time it is probem free and does have a stand by mode which is very nice when you are working on problems and do not want to be on line( like when updating or installing virus software)

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