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Motorola Surfboard SB5101 Cable Modem
Posted by
boyband in
Hardware on
Nov 23rd, 2009 |
5 responses
- Always on, always connected
- Installs easily in just four steps
- User-friendly online diagnostics page
- No additional software required
- Slim vertical design saves desk space
Product Description
With the next-generation SURFboard SB5101 cable modem, you’re compatible with today’s broadband Internet and ready for the future, too. When your cable service provider upgrades to a DOCSIS 2.0 network system, you’ll surf the Internet at as much as 30 Mbps–3 times faster than earlier modems!
With Ethernet and USB connectivity, installation couldn’t be simpler (just follow these steps (PDF, 2 MB)). A convenient stand-by button provides hassle-free security b… More >>
Motorola Surfboard SB5101 Cable Modem
I recently purchased the SB5101 to replace an ailing Toshiba modem I’ve been using for the past six years. I wouldn’t be writing this review if it weren’t for the local fire chief being a dishonest charlatane at a recent church fundraiser. Please lend me your ear while I explain. The local Catholic church (Our Lady of Perpetual and Weeping Holy Bliss of the Virgin Mary de Guadalupe) held their annual summer fiesta fundraiser and me being the dutiful Christian felt obligated to attend and spend copious amounts of money on greasy Mexican foods and cheap handicrafts being peddled by the local population of illegal immigrants. One of the many ways to seperate cash from person was in the form of a silent auction. If you’re not familiar with the term it’s a form of combat in which a person finds an item they wish to own, writes their name and bid on a piece of paper attached to said item, and then defends it by hiding the item behind a larger object or “camping out” next to the item and outbiding or intimidating anyone that comes near it. It was at this silent auction I happened upon a box claiming to contain a Motorola Surfboard SB5101 Cable Modem, the very modem this review… reviews. Surely this was a sign from Our Savior Jesus Christ, one and only son of God, who died and was buried and rose again and all that sci-fi stuff! He knew I needed a new modem capable of 30mbs download speed, support for up to 32 users and fully DOCSIS 2.0 compatible. I placed my bid and prayed that this very modem would be mine. Lo and behold when the auction ended it was I who was the proud owner of this very box. That’s right, I said box, for when I opened the box, after parting with $20 American, and in the comfort of my home, I was slapped in the face by the sight of a Toshiba cable modem, the very model I was trying to exorcise from my dwelling! After several frantic phone calls I was able to track the “donor” of the item. It was none other than F**** M**********, the fire chief of our fine city! I was shocked and dismayed that such a respected member of society would stoop to such lows as upgrading his own modem and leaving the dregs to a local church ready to be snapped up by a cheapskate such as myself. After cursing him and his offspring I logged on to Amazon.com using my pitiful excuse for a cable modem and purchased a SB5101 new. Performance seems to have increased but oddly streaming porn doesn’t seem much faster. The standby button is more annoying than it is helpful, especially with kids. Overall, I’d say the modem performs as expected but if you’ve got a crap connection don’t expect miracles.
Rating: 3 / 5
Wouldn’t function correctly.
Getting service out of Motorola is like pulling teeth, your teeth, by yourself, without novacaine.
Rating: 1 / 5
I can’t believe the hours I’ve spent trying to get this thing to function with a router, any router. I actually own three routers, 2 d-links and 1 Apple, and it just will NOT work with any of them. According to the documentation, the modem requires a crossover Ethernet cable (which is pretty unusual by itself). I’ve tried two different brand new crossover cables plus three regular Ethernet cables and it just doesn’t work. This setup worked perfectly prior to installing the new cable modem (my previous d-Link modem died.)
Unless your cable company forces this one down your throat, or if you never plan to add a router, I recommend staying away from this one. I’m returning mine tonight.
Rating: 1 / 5
Unfortunately, I am not happy with this product. I called Time Warner, who is my internet provider and told them I had purchased my own cable modem, which is the exact model I have been leasing from them. They had me hook it up, while on the phone with them, and after registering the serial number they needed, we could not get it to work, trying everything the gentleman could think of and also he put his advisor on, and he could not get it to work. So, I suggested trying to hook up their modem that I had unhooked and sure enough, it worked immediately. So, the cable modem, brand new out of the box that you shipped it to me, did not work. I had no idea how to return the item so sent in my rebate slip for $20 so that I would not be out the $50 it cost to purchase. Not a real happy consumer on this product.
Elaine Meyer
Rating: 1 / 5
My cable company Cox communications tech support recommended this modem so I wouldn’t need to rent one from them. However it had no phone jack to plug in my modular phone cord, like on the rental. Oops!
Rating: 3 / 5