internal modems

I bought this USB external modem for a used Blue and White G3/450 which came without an internal or external modem. At the time of the purchase, there was only one other external modem I could find for the Mac, and that was made by Zoom at twice the price. I still can't explain the discrepancy in price between the two modems.

The Best Data comes with a USB cable and phone cord, FAX software, no on/off switch or volume control (this is controlled by the Mac OS), and is plain in appearance (grey plastic). In Mac OS 9.2.1, the modem does what is supposed to. Drop the 56USBP file into the Modem Scripts in your Extensions folder, select it in your Modem control panel, and log on. Best Data advertises faster log-in and log-off times and faster download speeds due to the v.92 protocol, but I have never seen these improvements. There seems to be little difference from the v.90 protocol. Note that the box says "v.92 Lite." I don't know what that means.

Many factors affect modem speed. According to CNET's bandwidth meter, surf speeds for this modem range around 38k via fastermac.net. Connect speeds with the Best Data are usually in the 44 - 46 range. With the internal GV modem in my blueberry iMac, I occasionally hit 48, as I did with the even more reliable and speedy Diamond Supra USB. The Diamond had the fewest disconnects, the GV internal had the most, with the Best Data somewhere in between but still on the low end.

While I was shopping, it was difficult to distinguish between models, and Amazon is not always on top of such things, so here is the official name: Best Data Macintosh 56K USB Data Fax Modem, SmartOne series, Model 56USBPMAC, controller-based hardware modem with five-year limited warranty. The box says Mac OS 8 or higher but there is a sticker that reads that the USB chipset in this modem is compatible only with OS 9.1 and higher.