General Hardware and Software

[sgjunior]

I currently own a Motorola Surfboard 900 modem-router combo.  Does anybody know if I can improve my connection speed by investing in a new modem-router?  

I'm currently at Performance tier.

Estimating capacity:
Upstream: 4246 Kbps.
Downstream: 9246 Kbps.

Checking for traffic shapers:

Upstream: Burst size: 4221-4293 KB; Shaping rate: 2109 Kbps.

Downstream: No shaper detected.
Median received rate: 8754 Kbps.

[EG]

If the "Performance Tier" is 8/2 in your area it looks like you are getting what you pay for.

[BruceW]

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sgjunior wrote: I currently own a Motorola Surfboard 900 modem-router combo. ...

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That device has been in "End of Life" status for nearly 3 years (see http://mydeviceinfo.comcast.net/device.php?devid=69). Time to consider an upgrade to something current.

[sgjunior]

Thanks.  How do I know what is available in my area.  When I search the Comcast site for what's available it looks like I am in a D3 area.

[BruceW · Accepted solution]

The Motorola SB6120/SB6121 and the Zoom 5341J are D3 modems which are often recommended. 

[sgjunior]

Thanks again.  I'm purchasing one now.

[sgjunior]

You don't happen to have any sage advice on wireless routers, do you?

I live in an average-sized apartment and have four devices that can connect wirelessly:  

a ps3,

a 2011 macbook air,

an iPhone 4, and

a 2011 panasonic tv

[BruceW]

I don't, no, but networking expert Baric recommends the Linksys E3200, Netgear WNDR3700, Apple Airport Extreme/Time Capsule as good quality routers. See http://forums.comcast.com/t5/Home-Networking-and-Router-Help/Best-amp-and-easiest-to-use-Modem-Route...

[EG]

Here is an excellent site for all things router;

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/router-charts/view

[sgjunior]

Thanks again.

[Baric]

Since you seem to be a Mac person, you might also consider the Apple Airport Extreme or Time Capsule models.  I use a 1TB Time Capsule here, works like a champ.  It also works just fine with Windows systems (my network is mixed Mac, Windows, PS3, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, HP network printer, Toshiba TV, etc).

The Netgear WNDR3700 is also getting a little long in the tooth, the WNDR4000 and 4500 are its successors.

[sgjunior]

Thanks, Baric.  I'll look into the Airport.

[philscom]

Comcast intially installed an older Motorola rental modem in my house.  I bought the Zoom 5341 (Bestbuy $80) and my download speed went from 9.5 mbp to around 24 mpbs.  Upload speeds nearly doubled to 3.8 mbps.

Huge improvement.

Also:  I upgraded my wireless modem to the Cisco E4200 v.2 (about $150 at MicroCenter).  It cooks!

My connections and download speeds are flying now.

[philscom]

upload speed corrected previous.