Cable vs. DSL

Lee · #1 06-15-2004, 09:09 AM

I need some advice. After years of putting up with my crappy, Compaq, home computer, I got another computer (not a Compaq). I've also decided to stop putting up with dial-up Internet service. So I'm looking into either getting cable or DSL. I'm trying to way the pros & cons, & I just don't know. My cable company wants $45.95 a month which seems a lot to me. I work full-time so investing this much money seems pointless (I don't use it all the much, weekends, a little in the morning, a little at night), but if the service is good, I may consider it. DSL offered, by Verizon, is $29.95 a month with a qualifying package which I have. You pay for the router ($99) but you get that back in a rebate. You just pay about $13 shipping & handling. You install the system yourself (in three steps). My dad has a different cable company than me, & he pays $49.95 for his cable Internet access & just loves it. So he's saying all kinds of bad stuff about DSL, not secure, if you're not near the phone company's substation & you'll get slow service (can't be any slower then my dial-up!). Jeez, I don't know. Any advice?

Thanks,

Lee

hayley · #2 06-15-2004, 09:29 AM

I've had both, but when I had a cable modem it was four or five years ago, when they weren't as standard as they are now. It tended to knock me off quite a bit. I have DSL now, and I'm happy with it- it's very fast, I haven't noticed it being slower than the cable, and it's a better deal for the $$, IMO.

strandinthewind · #3 06-15-2004, 09:35 AM

I recently went through this. I opted for the choice offered by Bellsouth, which was DSL. I have a home line (with Complete Choice which includes call waiting, caller ID, etc.), a DSL line, and a cell phone (Cingular and 800 free minutes a month) - all of which costs $120 per month. I thought that was the best deal out there. For example, to have a sep. cable modem would have been about $50 per month; a sep. phone line would have been $50 a month, and the cell phone would have been $80 a month - so that is about $60 less a month. AND - my Bellsouth DSL is VERY fast. I have had a cable modem before and I cannot tell the difference.

I hope that helps!!!!!!

Carolina Girl · #4 06-15-2004, 10:31 AM

I have cable at home and DSL at the office, and I really can't tell any difference between the two. I actually use the DSL more, just because I'm at work all day using it, and when I get home I don't spend much time in front of the computer. Usually any problems I have are a result of my computer at home, not the cable. If the DSL is cheaper, I'd say go with the DSL.

ryan8472 · #5 06-15-2004, 11:01 AM

I have cable at my house. It's a lot faster than the DSL I used to have, which is strange because DSL is supposed to be pretty fast. I've never had too many problems with the cable myself, so I guess both are good. But if the DSL is cheaper for you than cable, go with the DSL simply because it will be a big improvement from the dialup you have now.

wondergirl9847 · #6 06-15-2004, 11:08 AM

I have cable, which is 39.99 a month. It just went up, from 35.99. Good thing for me, is, with my job, if I do a certain amount of work a month, I get reimbursed for my internet. So, as long as we have plenty of work, it's free for me. LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I have a home line (with Complete Choice which includes call waiting, caller ID, etc.), a DSL line, and a cell phone (Cingular and 800 free minutes a month) - all of which costs $120 per month.

WOW, that is a great deal!!

Anything is better than dial up!! LOL

darklinensuit · #7 06-15-2004, 11:43 AM

We have DSL at work, but I have neither at home. My new computer connects suspiciously fast right now, so at the moment it's not an issue for me.

- Jake

sara1998 · #8 06-16-2004, 08:01 PM

I have DSL at work, and cable at home, and I find myself getting mad at work because I have to wait on it...

I love my cable modem!

Maria

gldstwmn · #9 06-16-2004, 09:39 PM

I've had both. I can't notice a difference between the two. However, I would advise you to stay away from Qwest. They suck.

darklinensuit · #10 06-16-2004, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darklinensuit

We have DSL at work, but I have neither at home. My new computer connects suspiciously fast right now, so at the moment it's not an issue for me.

- Jake

I was mistaken at work we have something called T1, which I'd never heard of before today.

- Jake

DeeGeMe · #11 06-17-2004, 08:25 AM

I have cable through TimeWarner. I pay $54.95 a month (for it and my AOL). It's great--I have no complaints whatsoever, although lightning struck my house last year and fried the modem, along with both of my home office phone lines, and the network card in my PC. It took about two days to get everything hooked back up again. It's super fast and highly reliable.