|
|
|
By James E. Powell
At first, its light weight worried me. But the Sportster Voice 28.8 Faxmodem with Personal Voice Mail turned out to be another high-quality modem from U.S. Robotics.
The Sportster Voice 28.8 is available in internal and external versions. I tested the external model, which was enhanced to boost V.34 transmission speed to 33.6Kbps. It supports key standards for error control (V.42/MNP2-4) and data compression (V.42bis and MNP5 for throughput up to 115.2Kbps and V.32bis at 14.4Kbps).
I installed the modem in minutes under Windows 95. In all my tests, I connected-and stayed connected-to a variety of services without a hitch.
QuickLink Message Center software is included for fax and telephony chores, such as voice mail. The QuickLink software is a reliable, popular choice for modem vendors to bundle with their products.
You can connect a telephone handset to the Sportster to record your outgoing messages. For message playback, plug speakers into the modem, connect it to your sound card or use your phone's handset. With speakers attached, the modem can function as a full-duplex speakerphone. The QuickLink software and the modem both support Caller ID.
QuickLink's fax features are very easy to use, whether you're faxing immediately or queuing faxes for later delivery.
U.S. Robotics tosses in a useful CD-ROM with demos and trial versions of a variety of programs, including Internet applications, and software for America Online and CompuServe. There's also a handy book that describes browsing the Web using SPRY Mosaic.
U.S. Robotics backs the Sportster Voice 28.8 modem with a five-year limited warranty. Based on my tests, however, I doubt you'll need it.
-- Info File --
U.S. Robotics Sportster Voice 28.8 Faxmodem with Personal Voice
Mail
Price: Internal, $239; external, $279
Pros: Reliability; performance; software
Platforms: Windows 95, 3.1x
U.S. Robotics
800-DIALUSR, 708-676-7010
WinMag Box Score 5.0
|
|
|