Header banner
Revain logoHome Page
motorola surfboard sb5101 docsis 2.0 cable modem - non-retail packaging (brown box): high-speed internet access solution logo

Motorola SURFboard SB5101 DOCSIS 2.0 Cable Modem - Non-Retail Packaging (Brown Box): High-Speed Internet Access Solution Review

8

·

Very good

Revainrating 4.5 out of 5  
Rating 
4.4
📶 Modems, 📶 Networking Products

View on AmazonView on ЯM

Media

(4)
img 1 attached to Motorola SURFboard SB5101 DOCSIS 2.0 Cable Modem - Non-Retail Packaging (Brown Box): High-Speed Internet Access Solution
img 2 attached to Motorola SURFboard SB5101 DOCSIS 2.0 Cable Modem - Non-Retail Packaging (Brown Box): High-Speed Internet Access Solution
img 3 attached to Motorola SURFboard SB5101 DOCSIS 2.0 Cable Modem - Non-Retail Packaging (Brown Box): High-Speed Internet Access Solution
img 4 attached to Motorola SURFboard SB5101 DOCSIS 2.0 Cable Modem - Non-Retail Packaging (Brown Box): High-Speed Internet Access Solution

Details

BrandMotorola
Connectivity TechnologyWired
Item Dimensions LxWxH6 x 2.3 x 6.2 inches
ColorBlack
Number of Ports1

Description of Motorola SURFboard SB5101 DOCSIS 2.0 Cable Modem - Non-Retail Packaging (Brown Box): High-Speed Internet Access Solution

When connected to a DOCSIS 2.0 or 3.0 cable network, capable of up to 38Mbps down and 30Mbps upstream Internet speeds. Specially designed architecture-allows for future upgrades. Requires Cable Internet Service. Compatible with major U.S. Cable Providers. Contact your ISP to verify compatibility. Front-panel LEDs indicate status and simplify troubleshooting. 10/100 Ethernet port to connect with router or computer.

Reviews

Global ratings 8
  • 5
    4
  • 4
    3
  • 3
    1
  • 2
    0
  • 1
    0

Type of review

Last week I switched to Time Warners Lite Internet with ATT dsl. TWC forgot to tell me I was renting the modem and I was told the monthly rent was $4.99 when I got it. Luckily they gave me a list of approved modems, I looked them all up on Amazon and chose this one because 1. it had the best reviews for the price, 2. I have "lightweight" internet so I didn't need anything Heavy , 3. This thing will pay for itself in 10 months and 4. I'm not a techie and it seemed to me that this would be the…

Pros
  • Very good value for money
Cons
  • Little maintainability

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Cheap and easy for modems

I needed a cable modem after TimeWarner increased my rent for the second time in a year. I bought it refurbished for less than $18 to my door. I was a little worried because this one uses older technology than the new ones, but that only matters at speeds over 20Mbps. I have 15Mbps in and 1Mbps in and my speed tests are actually oh so much faster. Cable modems are hardware that pretty much sits on tables or shelves and people forget about them. This makes refurbs even more attractive. I…

Pros
  • Lots of positive vibes
Cons
  • Piggy bank price

Revainrating 4 out of 5

Great modem, easy to install, good price

I have Comcast cable internet service and rented a cable modem for $5 a month. When Comcast informed me this month (March 2011) that they were increasing their modem rental to $7 a month, or 40%, I decided to buy a cable modem and refund the rent. The rental was Motorola SURFboard SB4200. I chose this Motorola SB5101 model because it was basically the same modem but a newer model. First, this modem was delivered FAST - even though I chose free shipping, it only took 2-3 days. connected via a…

Pros
  • GOLS certified
Cons
  • Makes me nervous

Revainrating 5 out of 5

In the end it worked, but with difficulty.

I bought this for a friend who wanted to save $8 a month on his cable TV bill. It was hooked up to the cable line and all the lights were on, but when we called Comcast they couldn't see it on their system. After a little troubleshooting in the phone, there was nothing left but to connect the old modem. Curious if I could somehow get it to work on my own, I hooked it up to the cable line and then straight to the laptop. Even though all the lights were on, my laptop got a private IP address of…

Pros
  • New to my collection
Cons
  • Too long to wait

Revainrating 4 out of 5

Simple cable solution for 2015

After moving there was cable internet but no cable modem. I already had a collection of wireless routers and modems with either ethernet or phone wire ports, but I was in desperate need of a modem. This little model is just the ticket. It turns the cable signal from the black round coaxial wire in the wall into an Ethernet cable. This cable can be plugged directly into a computer or into a wireless router that will broadcast the signal throughout the home. my laptop and was redirected to the…

Pros
  • Finally bought
Cons
  • I'm worried

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Old model cheaper

This model is about a year old and DOCSYS 2. I bought a used version of this modem for only 1/3 the new price so not worth it either. It comes with a CAT 5 installation cable but no service CD, but then nothing is really needed to install the cable modem. All your ISP needs is the MAC address listed on the device. There's no power switch per se, meaning you'll have a more or less static IP address unless you turn it off, share Addy's IP through Windows, or your ISP changes it. What you have is…

Pros
  • Perfect for outdoor activities
Cons
  • Only available in black

Revainrating 4 out of 5

Seamless replacement for Time Warner San Diego Rental Device

Updated Review 1/24/15: TWC recently upgraded my service's upload/download speed by 1 Mbps from 3 Mbps to 6 Mbps 2 increased. The modem used to work fine and continues to work even after TWC's bandwidth increase. I am very satisfied with this device. Initial Review 1/20/13: I decided to purchase a used unit as the Motorola unit I replaced had served me perfectly for 10 years. This device is currently (January 2012) listed as an eligible device for Time Warner San Diego. Please note that I am…

Pros
  • Keeping Fists
Cons
  • For Old

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Modem problems

When Comcast increased the rent on our cable modem, we decided to buy one of our own. This was inexpensive (used) and was on Comcast's approved model list. This is the DOCIS 2.0 model. Comcast is rumored to be offering DOCIS 3.0 service soon if you have a DOCIS 3.0 modem. But I figured the possibility of wanting a newer standard later wasn't worth the huge price difference now. (DOCIS 2.0 modems will continue to work after DOCIS 3.0 service has started, but not at faster speeds.) Documentation…

Pros
  • Large selection
Cons
  • No insurance