what is the modem used for on a PC is it for dial up
i'm buying a dell online and there is an option for a modem
right now we have broadband and wireless
help lol
2006-08-03 20:18:48 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
It is most likely that the Modem Dell are offering is the standard 56K dial up modem.
If you have broadband you should not need this to connect to the Internet.
However this modem will only add a very small amount to the cost of your computer. Should you ever need to fax a document such a modem will be useful.
Also if you should change your Broadband ISP in future you may find that there will be a period between giving up the old ISP and starting with the new one. A modem and a pay as you go dial up ISP would be useful during this interim period for checking emails etc.
However if you do get a modem only connect your computer to the phone line when you are actually using a dial up service or are faxing a document. This way you can avoid the possibility of accidentally downloading a rogue dialler that will try to connect you to a premium rate number.
2006-08-03 20:56:00 · answer #1 · answered by John H 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"modem" used to always mean dialup. But when they invented broadband they used the recycled the word "modem" to refer to the thing that connects to the broadband as well.
Knowing Dell, they are talking about a dialup modem, not any other sort. Is it a laptop, to be used for work by someone who travels a lot? get the modem; they are still surprisingly handy, say when you're in a hotel and are desperate for some data. Otherwise, you'll probably never use it. Make sure you get the wireless card though.
2006-08-04 03:31:58 · answer #2 · answered by wild_eep 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are likely to use a dial up connection (which is much older and slower internet browsing) or even if you want to be able to send fax via your pc then opt in for the modem but if you are not bothered with either dial up connection because you will be subscribing to a broadband or already have one, and not likely to use your pc for sending out fax. then forget about modem and save the money to buy a wireless modem instead to use it with broadband. good luck
2006-08-05 07:49:58 · answer #3 · answered by one_faithful_mo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey i do A level computing and this question came in my exam lol! ... anyway a modem (a portmanteau constructed from modulate and demodulate) is a device that modulates an analog carrier signal to encode digital information, and also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information. The goal is to produce a signal that can be transmitted easily and decoded to reproduce the original digital data. Modems can be used over any means of transmitting analog signals, from driven diodes to radio.
Dial-up access is a form of Internet access through which the client uses a modem connected to a computer and a telephone line to dial into an Internet service provider's (ISP) node to establish a modem-to-modem link, which is then routed to the Internet.
2006-08-04 11:38:22 · answer #4 · answered by bunnyBoo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
modem stands for MOdulator/DEModulator. it converts (demodulates) the 0's and 1's a computer understands into audio tones, sends these tones down a phone-line to your modem, then the modem turns (modulates) these tones back into 0's and 1's so that your computer can understand it.
You need a dialup modem when your internet comes through the telephone line. however if you are using broadband or cable, you may need another type of modem.
If you have broadband already, i assume you already have the modem you need. So dont choose the option of getting another!
2006-08-06 00:41:08 · answer #5 · answered by Staxix 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the modem used for to dial up your Internet service providers (ISPs) as you have broadband and wireless you dont need to use your 56k dial up modem take time off the internet and go back to pc school
2006-08-04 03:29:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you have a wireless router, then thats your modem. but you do need a wireless network card in you pc/laptop to be able to connect to it. if your pc has a wireless network card in it then you dont need a separate modem or a built in modem. if it doesnt then you will have to have a modem to be able to connect you your household broadband. its about an extra £30 i think for a wireless network card to be built into your pc so in my opinion it would be better to go with that.
2006-08-04 03:54:23 · answer #7 · answered by paulamathers 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is 2 kinds of modem. 1 is external and 2nd is internal. internal modem is like any other card in your pc that you have to put into a slot inside. the external modem is for outside connection. its up to you what modem suites you. but consider the speed.... the Kbps or Mbps.... the higher the Mbps the better
2006-08-04 03:28:44 · answer #8 · answered by kryptonboy22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never used a modem for dial up. I just got a modem because I switched to dsl. Dsl is way better then dial up. It was very easy to hook up also.
2006-08-04 03:24:59 · answer #9 · answered by allyson 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you already have a broadband modem then you wont need the modem with the pc but i have a dell and have mine installed anyways.
2006-08-04 03:22:17 · answer #10 · answered by Regal_lady3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋