Best Apple USB Modem Alternative?

[umiwangu]

I need a modem for my new Macbook. But it seems that the Apple modem is too expensive. What is the best USB modem that is compatible with Mac?

Thanks!

[umiwangu]

Ookaaayyy. I guess that means there aren't any viable alternatives...

[r6girl]

Ookaaayyy. I guess that means there aren't any viable alternatives...

that's right - there probably aren't many. if you're looking for a non-apple alternative, how many do you think there are that make mac OS X software to go with it so it will work on a mac? it's not a huge market for a company to target and expect profits. modems are generally going the way of the duck-billed platypus with the prevalence and availability of wifi.

you could try google - i found this (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=7&subcategory=40&product=266) by googling "usb modem". it's the same price as the apple usb modem, but i did not check to see if it offers mac-compatible software with it. if that looks interesting to you, you should research this one and any others google shows you...

[emptyCup]

Ookaaayyy. I guess that means there aren't any viable alternatives...

When you follow up to your own post it looks like your question has been answered. If you google for "Mac USB modem" you will find many things like this (http://www.shopping.com/xGS-external_usb_macintosh_modem~r-1~CLT-INTR~RFR-www.google.com). They are clunky and often expensive compared to Apple's modem. A search for "USB Modems" finds many small, inexpensive modems. I do not know how compatible they are with Macs. That is research you can do on your own. Best wishes.

[extraextra]

The modem is $14?

[umiwangu]

Thanks for the help folks. Unfortunately, there are places in this world that do not have wifi or even broadband. I guess I'll just get the Apple modem.

Thanks!

[Sun Baked]

If you know which modem Apple uses, I'm sure you can get the retail version.

But USB Modems (even cable and DSL versions) and Mac OS X tend to be real a PIA.

Likely you will find a modem and driver just about the time that an OS X update renders them useless.

[yangyin]

[QUOTE=umiwangu;3341367]Unfortunately, there are places in this world that do not have wifi or even broadband.

Just a few true-life examples of when I used a modem just within the past week :
Wed & Thurs 3/5&6/2008 - at a hotel where I didn't want to pay the daily access fee for their wireless service
Fri 3/7/2008 - at my 87 year-old Mom's house
Sat 3/8/2008 - at my own house when we lost utility power & broadband during a storm, but the phone lines still worked (this happens several times a year)
Sun 3/9/2008 - at a friend's new apartment, before internet service was activated
Tues 3/11/2008 - in a condo building that has unsecured wifi

As it happens, I didn't have any computer faxing to do last week.

When away from a secure network, I always opt for dialup versus unsecure wifi when keying login info into a web site. This may shift into another thread but I'd appreciate comments on the notion that -- given a choice between dialup or unsecure wifi -- the "lesser unsafe" connection for entering private information would be the dialup connection. That's one more reason why I believe that modems are vital components for laptops.

Have modem, will travel!

[nornirishmack]

Can ANYONE help me please?
Recently purchased a Usb Mobile Broadband Modem on the 3 Network, this was to provide me with intenet in my home without a landline telephone.
They are meant to work with all computers and they provide a driver for Macs. Now this driver is not working with my Mac and it would seem that on some Macs, the sofware provided by the n etwork simply is not compatible. Now so far in the uk, I have heard of about 250 similar cases and 3 seem to have no apparent knowledge.

Could anybody shead any light on this matter please, I just cannot seem to find a solution.....................

[tsice19]

Can ANYONE help me please?
Recently purchased a Usb Mobile Broadband Modem on the 3 Network, this was to provide me with intenet in my home without a landline telephone.
They are meant to work with all computers and they provide a driver for Macs. Now this driver is not working with my Mac and it would seem that on some Macs, the sofware provided by the n etwork simply is not compatible. Now so far in the uk, I have heard of about 250 similar cases and 3 seem to have no apparent knowledge.

Could anybody shead any light on this matter please, I just cannot seem to find a solution.....................

Call the network and ask for help?

[lacidar]

http://www.afterthemac.com/ Here is a solution I have used that now has wireless n and it works on older computers.

[umiwangu]

Can ANYONE help me please?
Recently purchased a Usb Mobile Broadband Modem on the 3 Network, this was to provide me with intenet in my home without a landline telephone.
They are meant to work with all computers and they provide a driver for Macs. Now this driver is not working with my Mac and it would seem that on some Macs, the sofware provided by the n etwork simply is not compatible. Now so far in the uk, I have heard of about 250 similar cases and 3 seem to have no apparent knowledge.

Could anybody shead any light on this matter please, I just cannot seem to find a solution.....................

Jeepers dude. Thanks for hijacking my thread. (Yes, it is more than 2.5 years old.)

[JoeG4]

Go grab an old airport hub! Wifi modem XD

[MacFenton]

I need a modem for my new Macbook. But it seems that the Apple modem is too expensive. What is the best USB modem that is compatible with Mac?

Thanks!

I've been looking for several days for a modem for and older G5 iMac and found that llterally no one has any of the Apple branded USB modems still available. I read reviews on Zoom modems, some no names and opted for the USR5637 USB modem, US Robotics. I ordered one yesterday through Amazon for under $50 (new not used), and with the SuperSaver 5-9 bus. day shipping it cost me nothing for the shipping. I could have had it faster, but with the economy I can afford to wait, more than I can wait to afford.
See here for pricing:
http://www.amazon.com/56K-USB-Modem-Windows-Linux/dp/B0013FDLM0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1253496535&sr=8-1

Hope this helps. :apple:

Steve

[cordroosen]

hey,

as i was searching for a cheaper alternative to the apple usb modem as well i will share my experience with a bluetooth analog dialup modem with you.

i shot it on ebay - new for 17 €

its a real neat small device which comes in a small neoprene travel bag.
it weights nothing , size is comparable to a pack of cigarettes. included power adapter is light and small as well.


TYPHOON BLUETOOTH 56K WIRELESS MODEM KIT V.90 - 955660

http://www.google.de/search?um=1&hl=de&q=TYPHOON%20BLUETOOTH%2056K%20WIRELESS%20MODEM%20KIT%20V.90%20-%20955660&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=iw


i unpacked it an dumped the included usb stick in the trash since my macbook pro has bluetooth already.

the macbook pro 2010 model A1286 - snow leopard - found the modem via bluetooth instantly -
i did not install any software! - bluetooth pin was 1111 - it was written on the underside of the modem. i was able to dial in the internet on the first attempt.


so now i can wirelessly connect per dialup when i travel. it works perfect and the range is like 25 meters.

much much more convenient - wireless - with the macbook compared to the wired apple usb modem.

ciao

Cord

[spidennis]

while this is an old thread, the problem still exists, and now it's even worse .... no apple stock ...... at least in the US.

this bluetooth wireless modem looks cool .....
but not to be found in the US?
TYPHOON BLUETOOTH 56K WIRELESS MODEM KIT V.90 - 955660
http://www.google.de/search?um=1&hl=...-8&sa=N&tab=iw

so I dug up an old airport (the round one) ...
it's got a phone jack on the back ...
could I, can I use this?

[rkuntze]

while this is an old thread, the problem still exists, and now it's even worse .... no apple stock ...... at least in the US.

this bluetooth wireless modem looks cool .....
but not to be found in the US?
TYPHOON BLUETOOTH 56K WIRELESS MODEM KIT V.90 - 955660
http://www.google.de/search?um=1&hl=...-8&sa=N&tab=iw

so I dug up an old airport (the round one) ...
it's got a phone jack on the back ...
could I, can I use this?

Yes, you can. I sold mine on Ebay last year--used it for years. Currently use the Apple USB modem for faxes.

[velocityg4]

This Zoom 3095-00-00G (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250661936328&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=%3F*F%3F&GUID=289513d81280a0b58400c890fff63fdd&itemid=250661936328&ff4=263602_263622) claims Mac compatible.

If you search Mac USB modem (http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=mac+usb+modem) on eBay there are many 56K modems listed on eBay for about $10 shipped.

Are there not any cell data plans in your area. You could get a Tmobile compatible RAZR and unlock it then use it to tether your computer with their $10 basic unlimited cell data plan (none 3G) which should beat 56K speeds.

[AimeeLarry]

Other options: type mac USB modem (http://www.modem3g.com/) at modem3g.com's search box, you can find there are many mac supported USB modems be listed, then select the best one that meets your need. :)

[animatedude]

can i use the apple modem as a DSL modem? lol