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REVIEW: ZONET ZFM5600-CF 56K PCMCIA MODEM

The Zonet ZFM5600-CF is a V.92 56k modem card which can be installed in a portable computer's PCMCIA slot (Type II). It is a hardware modem, which means that it puts less demand on the computer's CPU and it will work under most operating systems. As of 2009, it matches or exceeds the features and capabilities of just about any other internal modem.

The tested Zonet ZFM5600CF is being used to replace the V.90 56k internal software-based modem in a laptop with Windows 98. It improved upon the old modem's speed significantly; previous speeds were about 28-33kbps, with the Zonet it usually connects at 36-46kbps. The initial connection/login to the Internet is also faster. However, it now loses the connection more frequently.

If you have a ZFM5600CF without a telephone connection cord, an inexpensive (but somewhat hard to find) generic 4-pin laptop modem cord will work. The ZFM5600CF comes with a "Quick Installation Guide" and a 3.5" driver disk, which is convenient for older laptops that don't have a CD-ROM drive.

The Zonet ZFM-5600CF was easy to install (after disabling the old built-in modem in Device Manager). Here are some more details paraphrased from the original box:

Operating system: NDIS, Windows 9x/2000/ME/NT/XP+, Linux
Fax: Up to 14.4kbps send and receive, Data: Up to 56kbps
Features: Digital Line Safeguard, low-power standby mode

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