When I refer to to winmodem, I mean any modem that requires the Windows operating system to operate even though the name Winmodem is a registered trademark of 3 Com. 3 Com is not the only company that makes this type of modem, there are many.

A  winmodem:

     1. Requires Windows 95 or above. (Some work is being done to make drivers
        for other operating systems.)
     2. Relies on a fast CPU to do some of the work of the modem - puts greater
        load on the computer.
     3. Relies on more computer memory - puts greater load on the computer.
     4. Is simpler to build - costs much less, usually.(Not always, see below)
     5. Can potentially slow down computer when in use because of 2 and 3 above.
     6. Will not work in DOS, Linux, etc., only works in Windows 95 or above,
        (without drivers as mentioned in 1 above).
        
  A winmodem works only with Windows 95 or above, unless enough of the information 
  about how that winmodem operates is found out to write a driver for it on another 
  operating system. The operating system does more of the modem's work through the 
  computer so the modem can do less, cost less, and be less. (I have found some 
  hardware modems, that's a non-winmodem, a complete modem, that work with Linux and 
  DOS, as well as Windows, that cost about the same as some winmodems.)

    There is some discussion about making Linux drivers to allow a winmodem to be used under Linux. The chipset in a winmodem should be able to be controlled with Linux just as it is with Windows. See the link below for more information.

http://www.linmodems.org

    For a listing of modems that are complete modems(hardware modems), not winmodems and will work with Linux see the next link.

http://www.atmos.umd.edu/~stone/19991027a.html

It has been my experience that it is better to buy a fully multi - operating system compatible modem, usually referred to as a hardware modem, instead of a winmodem.

    The offering of modems that only operate under certain operating systems is a trend that furthers the limitation of the PC. The PC has, for a long time, been unlimited as to operating system as has most of its hardware. The success of the PC, as compared to the Mac, appears  to be, in large part, due to this open design. Apple Macs have had superior graphics and a window like GUI (graphical user interface) for years, yet the PC surpasses, and has for years surpassed the Mac in number of units sold.

    In spite of my views against winmodems, I can tell you that 3 Com makes some of the best fully compatible hardware modems.
 
 

jv