Sams Teach Yourself Internet and Web Basics All in One

Modems—Wherein the Lack of Speed Kills

There are ways to connect to the Internet without a modem, which you'll discover more fully in Chapter 3, “Getting Connected to the Internet.” But odds are that you will start out with a modem and phone line for your Internet connection, so you must consider the capabilities of your modem in choosing or upgrading your computer for Internet access.

A modem is a device that enables two computers to communicate with one another through phone lines. Using a modem (installed inside, or connected to, your computer), you can communicate through a regular phone line with the modem at your Internet provider. That's ...