Should you buy a cable modem router combo or buy them separately?
The old Office Internet Setup
Hello everyone, thank you for stopping by the blog, “Should you buy a cable modem router combo or buy them separately? Over in the photo to your right is our Office Internet Setup. We put this setup together back in 2017 and have had it until now 2024.
So, why am I telling you this? What makes this so important?
Because it’s old and our internet has been dragging the last year. Yet, we never stopped to think about our internet setup. Never even thought, oh we think we need to upgrade. We have just been working and loading devices. See, we are 100% human like you. Little things like this can be overlooked, not even realizing this could lead to an even bigger problem and it’s called buffering.
We get very busy loading and testing devices, day in and day out. But it’s only been recently things feel like they are slowing down. No one can really pinpoint when it started to happen. We just noticed it’s been happening too much.
As you can see in the photo, we have an old cable modem and internet router from Spectrum. It needs to be upgraded, ASAP. I plan on going to Spectrum for a few reasons. One, our internet is mad slow, I'm talking 300 Mbps or lower. And yet we are paying $80 a month for it.
We've been stuck with Spectrum for a while so I'm going to ask, if we keep paying the $80, can we get the 1GB speed for the next two years deal they have for offer?
In the contract, it says new customers yes, but it doesn't say anything about customers upgrading and not being able to lock in that deal. So why not just ask? At the same time, I’m taking in the old cable modem and internet router we’ve been paying $5 a month for and upgrading it to the cable modem and internet router to the $7 a month one until I get my hands on my own cable modem and internet router we have agreed on in this office.
You see their new cable modem and internet router gives you DOCIS 3.1. What does that mean? It’s the latest security so no one can cyber break into your home or office internet system. On top of that, I did wonder about the cables themselves.
Like the ethernet cable and the HDMI cable. Yes, everything but the Plume Pod mesh network system needs to be upgraded. The Plume Pods are amazing to have and a must-have if you ask me. They are great in price and you only buy what you need. There is an app, and when we used it, it was great but it’s not needed. We don’t have people over like that anymore.
The good news, the stuff we are replacing it with is good for the next 7 years or longer. I see the internet routers are now coming out with Wi-Fi 7, smart. I read someone saying, they are future-proofing their internet router.
The newest Apple TV 2022 we offer here has Wi-Fi 6 which is great. But the device best performs plugged into the ethernet mesh network system. On top of that better internet speeds would help.
Here is the kicker, VPNs are now available on Apple TVs. At first, you needed a DNS or SmartDNS which some called it. Most people still use the DNS because it’s free but I've noticed, which is sad for me to say that the VPN works faster when starting up the streaming.
This is crazy since the IPAs for the Apple TVs are now coming with their own DNS option in the settings of the IPA. This way you will not need a VPN nor need to go into your settings to change your Apple TV’s DNS. Yattee, buddy, I'm waiting for you. If you don’t know, Yattee is an ad-free YouTube IPA.
What is the Difference Between a Modem and a Router, and Do I Need Both?
Modem and Router from Spectrum, upgrade to this.
Are you in the market to buy new internet equipment and if so what do you buy? Do you buy the modem, router, both, or a combo of the two? Most people don’t notice when your internet is set up for you at your home by a pro you are sometimes given two different boxes.
One box is the modem and the other box is called the router and if you think you are lucky, you get one box which is the combo but still, you know nothing about it. Below we are going to give you more information about the two.
Modem vs Router
The cable modem is the original name of the modem. It is what the cable wire is hooked up to, to give you access to the cable provider’s network. Whether it’s for your cable TV, internet, or sometimes both.
The internet router is just that. The router is your Wi-Fi. Not like back in the day to get online you needed a phone landline. Now, you need a router.
What about Modem Router combos?
Yes, you will need both the modem and router to gain access to the internet for you to use Wi-Fi. If this is the case why not just get the combo version?
In theory, it sounds amazing but when tested, not so good. One system working to do two totally separate things is hard, I can only imagine how long it will last. It’s like me trying to cook with one hand and fold clothes with the other. Two completely different things.
You want these devices separated so the systems can focus on that one thing they do so well. As people like to think we are great at multitasking, it has been scientifically proven over and over again no one can multitask. So why would you want your one box to stress and do the same? I know we think we can multitask but we can’t. Don’t believe me?
Try walking down the street and drinking something, the key is you can’t stop moving. Your brain is trying to do two completely separate things at once physically. With the motion of movement, it makes it very hard to drink. You are thinking I’m trying to drink and your body’s first response is to stop and stay still.
Now, if you can pull this off, drinking and walking please make a video and send it to us.
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The best way to find the Right Modem and Router for your Internet Provider
Best Cable Modem of 2024
You can do this two ways, you can visit your internet provider’s website. They have a list of the cable modems and internet routers listed. I’m pretty sure this list is not always up to date. Why?
As I told you before, you want DOCIS 3.1, well on Spectrum's website, they are still promoting DOCIS 3.0. This says to me you may be on your own looking up information like this sometimes.
Well, the second way is the best way to look. On the products themselves, on the box they let you know what companies they work with. But, double-check with your internet provider if you have your eye on a cable modem.
We are looking at the NETGEAR Nighthawk Multi-Gig Cable Modem (CM2000), compatible with Spectrum, Cox, and Xfinity. To be clear I will be taking this into Spectrum to make sure this cable modem works on their network.
So why this one, it’s for plans up to 2.5Gbps and has DOCSIS 3.1. I would have to test all of this information out. Now at $299.99 that is pretty good for a cable modem we plan to have for the next ten years, that is $30 a year.
This Modem is NOT compatible with broadband services like Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink, DSL providers, DirecTV, DISH, and any bundled voice service.
Great Internet Router for your budget
When it comes to the internet router we are looking to future-proof our setup and not be surprised by Wi-Fi 7 when it starts to roll out within the next few years.
Which internet router is offering this? Nighthawk BE19000 router coming in at $699.99. Clearly, there are cheaper internet routers in the world but I would love to test this one out.
A better option is the older model the NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400, which offers WiFi 6 Router (RAX50) up to 6 streams. Then if your budget is tighter you can never go wrong with the NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6 Router (RAX30) 5-Stream Dual-Band Gigabit Router.
On top of all this, I would only recommend looking at Amazon to cross-check stores like B&H, Best Buy, and Micro Center to pick up a lot of these models. With Amazon, you don’t know if you are getting it brand new, used, or even refurbished sometimes. When it comes to high-ticket items, get them in person at a creditable store.
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Do I need to hook my streaming device up directly to my router?
Yes, you need to hook up your premium streaming device directly to your router if you want amazing speeds without buffering. A few things people don’t know is that WiFi 5, 6, and 6E don’t travel very far, yet along travel through walls well.
When your cable is hooked up, a copper cable is hooked up to the back of the box and then the box is hooked up to your TV. You must do the same with WiFi, don’t rely on it to do the hard work of a cable. WiFi is a signal that can’t be seen by the eye, it can also be easily dropped and interfered with just from other household items like anything in your kitchen.
So to avoid buffering and all the headaches it can come with, plug in your ethernet cable. Do you need to get a high-quality cable? We let you know about that more down below.
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Do you need high-quality cables for this set up or can you use anything?
Not all cables and cords are equal. This is due to the material that is used inside the wires.
Fast I want to talk about ethernet cables and HDMI cords. Someone made a comment that flat ethernet cables worked better, and then I saw comments about getting a CAT6 ethernet cable. You want to look for high-quality ethernet cables and HDMI cables.
We haven’t decided which cables to get just yet but when we do, we will update this blog on the topic.
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Will I need a Router Switch with my new Internet Setup?
The face you are making right now was me a few hours ago. What in the world is a router switch? The worst part for me was the person just said I needed a switch as if I was in his mind seeing what it was he was seeing.
I’m thinking, well what kind of switch, like a kill switch for your car? When talking it’s best to use the full name of the item so people can go look it up and know what you are talking about. You can even show them the photo so they know.
When buying an internet router, if your router doesn’t come with enough plug-ins you are going to need a switch for sure. Here is the twist, below is the sure reason why you are going to need a router switch.
But what brand for a router switch? Good question, what brand do you feel good with?
For us, we like the Netgear Nighthawk S8000 Advanced 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch, we know it’s high quality plus we are building a Dolby Vision, Atmos, and gaming system for the new office.
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Will I need a Mesh Network System with my new Internet Setup?
Everyone needs a mesh network system. It doesn’t matter if it’s for your home or office, they are amazing and do all the work for your internet router. We only recommend Plume Pods, and no they are NOT a sponsor. I don’t care, I rock with them all day.
The mesh network system, for those who don’t know, is like little satellites around your home equally pushing out the Wi-Fi. What makes Plume Pods stand out is the crazy app. Do you need the app for the system to work?
You don’t need the paid version of the app but the app itself, yes. The paid version is all these other cool things like making special passwords for people to use the internet without them knowing your real password.
And you can kick whoever off the internet, this goes for kids and guests. It’s so much, I posted the video here for you to watch.
I just watched the video and now I’m thinking do I even need an internet router? Can the Plume Pods act as the internet router for us this whole time? I have opened up a can of worms with even more questions. I’m going to test this out later today and create an update on this blog to tell you my results.
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Put us to the test and get free Spotify Premium with our help
If you are one of the lucky ones with an Android phone this will work for you, super easy. Go ahead and sign up for our newsletter and you can download Spotify to your phone or tablet for free once you confirm the email.
This is not free Spotify for Android TV. We have it but it’s only available on our Jailbroken Nvidia Shield Pro.
Apple has lied to iPhone users by trapping them in a box with that phone. The iPhone is limiting your ability to access paid content for free. Well, how do we know that?
It’s not called “Jailbreak iPhone” for no reason. Your phones are locked in their ecosystem sucking money out of your pocket month by month on a device that is not even that smart.
On an Android phone, you can access anything and I promise you I mean anything you can think of even when you don’t know where to look first. You wouldn’t have that same freedom with an iPhone.
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In Conclusion
Look around at what you are using. How old are some of the things like your modem? Did you get it from your internet provider or did you buy it yourself? When upgrading, don’t go into debt, take your time and save up for the items.
Until you get the money to buy your own, go to your internet provider and get the newest models of cable modems and internet routers. Use their stuff until you are ready to make the switch over. Then with this, you can tell if the internet provider equipment is good or is what you just picked up is better.
I will say, that the mesh networking system is a game changer if you have a big home.
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Related Post: Jailbroken Nvidia Shield Pro: Unlock Endless TV Entertainment
