Mac Daniel's Advice

Is a 2400 bps Modem Worth Keeping?

Manuel Mejia Jr - 2000.10.03

Q: I have an early PowerBook 1xx series or an early Performa series Mac with a 2400 bps modem. Is it worth keeping this modem in this age of 56K and higher ?

A: It depends on your computer usage and your ISP. The 2400 bps rate was state of the art in 1989 - that was the speed that it took for text files to display on the screen without a noticable delay. In 1989, there was no graphical World Wide Web that required Java script or even images to be sent. In fact, many of the computers that were in the workplace were still using green or amber screens connected to DOS (or sometimes Windows) computers. Color images, like the then-new Compuserve Graphic Interface Format (GIF), were simply unviewable using such machines.

Starting with the introduction of the Mac II in 1987, color images became a reality in the Mac world. Using Compuserve's GIF format, Mac II users could download clip art and other images. Mac IITo speed up the download rate, the 9600 bps modem became the device of choice. A standard 2400 downloads a 12 K file in about 60 seconds. A 9600 bps modem can download a 48 K file in the same 60 seconds. The increased speed proved to be quite useful to those paying long distance telephone charges.

When the Web became commercially available in 1994, the 14,400 bps modem was the minimum needed to use the Web efficiently. The 2400 bps and 9600 bps modems became effectively obsolete as far as the Web goes.

Many Freenet type ISPs still keep 2400 bps modems in use for those using very old computers. For the PowerBooks, like the 100, 140, and 170, the 2400 bps modem was installed as standard equipment. For early Performas, like the 200 and the 400 (a Classic II and an LC II respectively) the 2400 bps modem that was provided was made to draw power off the computer keyboard rather than through a separate power supply. Those Perfoma modems are quite elegant devices. They were even able to send faxes at 9600 bps with the proper software.

If you are a classic Mac user who just reads plain text, a 2400 bps modem will work fine. After all, yours truly is linked to LEM via a 2400 bps modem, and my files arrive in great shape. The meek 2400 bps modem still has like as the century turns.

Manuel Mejia Jr is familiar with Mac IIs, LCs, and older PowerBooks. He uses his Mac LC, PowerBook 145B, and PB 100 with System 7.1 on a regular basis and recently added a Mac Plus running System 6 to his collection. He's quite familiar with both System 6 and System 7. He also owns the Pina books on repairing compact Macs from 128k through the SE. You can read more about Manuel's computers in Manuel Mejia Jr's Four Old Macs.

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