Customer Reviews

Motorola DOCSIS External Cable Modem (SB4100)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This was standard issue for the now defunct Excite@Home. I received this cable modem when I signed up for Excite@Home and still use it now that I'm on another cable service.

The small form-factor leaves a narrow, tiny footprint on a desk and the base is wide enough to make it stable and balanced.

The LEDs flash to show activity and a combination of different lights (read the manual) helps when trouble-shooting connectivity problems with your ISP. I've been using this for over a year and it functions great and hasn't let me down.

I returned the cable company's rent-a-modem 2 hours after unpacking the Motorola. I have dynamic IP svc (unfortunately), so all that was required for setup was plugging it in and rebooting. (A call to the cable service was required to register the unit MAC ID). The DOCSIS 1.0 certification assures you it will work with most any cable provider. Also, I like the choice of ethernet (RJ14) or USB connectivity. Lastly, the internal transformer means the power plug is a normal size, so it can be plugged in on my desk without hogging the whole powerstrip. Nice modem, nice price!

I looked at several cable modems but chose this one because it came with both Ethernet and USB cables, because AT&T Broadband Internet lists it as an acceptable modem, and because it was Macintosh compatible. (After I opened the package, I found that Macs need the Ethernet cable, so it was nice of Motorola to include it.) The modem was easy to install and now downloads 1 megabyte in about 5 seconds under OS X.

The best thing you can say about a cable modem is that once you plug it in, call your cable company with the serial numbers for provisioning (on the box and on the modem itself), you're good to go for broadband access! In addition, you get a product that has a solid twenty-four month warranty from Motorola. Highly recommended because of the warranty, ease of installation, and reputation of the manufacturer.

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

Purchased this modem after I had a Linksys BEFCMU10 die after less than 5 hours of use. First impression out of the box was that this modem was much sturdier than the Linksys. The Linksys can be operated in either a horizontal or vertical position, but the design does not seem to be optimized for vertical (ie. standing on it's side) operation with respect to ventilation of the heat generated by the modem. The Linksys unit that failed got very hot before failure. The SB4100 is designed for vertical operation (a nice space saving feature, but less flexible than the Linksys) and has performed well to date. Though a bit higher in price than the Linksys BEFCMU10, the slightly higher price does seem to pay dividends in a higher quality product.

I bought the SB4100. Being an old Motorola ModemSurfer customer is what made me decide to try the SB4100. The instructions are on a CD. You can print the instructions or move from screen to screen and install (sit the modem on the desk and connect the wires to it) the modem as you read. Once the wires are connected the modem does all of the work. Everything you need to connect the modem to your computer is included. The entire process is extremely simple and the modem does all of the work for you. Not to mention, it is screaming fast when connected. Just for personal knowledge, I am using a local cable company for my connection (Cable One) and have a 1/2 T1 connection. Price, ease, availability. Motorola wins again.

I have a cable modem from adelphia(my local cable provider). I had a RCA modem before but it was good but them after having it for about 2 weeks, It messed up for about 1 week. So I called Adelphia and told then about the problem with the modem. They sent a tek to my house, the tek installed a Motorolla sb4100. After he hooked it up, I was ready to suf again. I was so happy they changed my RCA with a Motorola! I am a very happy man. So I suggest you to buy it!

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).

I have had this modem for half a year and it is still running strong. For a couple more bucks you can get a rock solid modem and have great performance. It is also made by a good name brand, Motorola. Not the most attractive modem out there, but its one of the best. Just plug in the ethernet cable into the back of your computer and then into the back of this baby and you'll be up and running, surfing the net at high speeds in no time!