Why You Can Trust CNET Get a Surfboard SB6141 cable modem for $44.99
From the Cheapskate: Still paying a rental fee for your modem? This top-rated refurb would cost you at least $70 new. And in the long run it'll save you money. Plus: How to get cheap Amazon Prime and a free Google Chromecast!
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Not all reruns are bad. This one, for example, gives you a lower price than last time. And unlike that episode of "Seinfeld" you've seen 18 times, this rerun can actually save you money over time.
See, many folks pay a lease or rental charge for the modem supplied by their cable provider (Comcast, Time Warner and so on). This often runs $6 to $8 per month, which works out to as much as $96 per year. But guess what? Many providers will let you use your own modem instead, meaning you can do away with that monthly fee.
So here's some easy math: today only, and while supplies last, Woot has the refurbished ARRIS SurfBoard SB6141 DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem for $44.99, plus $5 for shipping. Price for a new one: at least $70.
Even if you're paying just $6 per month to rent your existing modem, you'd recoup your investment in about eight months -- then pocket that $6 every month thereafter. It adds up!
Take note, however, that this is just a modem; it's not also a router. If your existing modem is responsible for delivering Wi-Fi throughout your house, you'll need to BYO router to this equation -- and that will require some extra expense and setup. And if your cable provider is also providing your home-phone service, this may be a no-go as well.
Because this is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem, it's capable of delivering lightning-fast data both upstream and downstream. If your current modem is older, it might be a 2.0 model, in which case you're likely to see a huge performance boost.
The SB6141 is certified to work with pretty much every North American cable provider. Better still, the 8,000-plus (!) user reviews on Amazon average out to 4.4 stars (out of 5), which tells the whole story: the modem is fast, easy to set up and reliable.
I bought a cable modem years ago and never looked back. It's crazy to rent one from your cable company, so if that's what you're doing, here's an inexpensive way out. Finally, a chance to actually lower your cable bill!
Bonus deal: Do you love Amazon Prime like I love Amazon Prime? As you might have heard, the company is running a promotion this weekend: $73 for a one-year subscription. That's better than $99, am I right? Alas, it's for new customers only, and the gift-option workaround that was available in the past seems to be a no-go this time. But if you don't already have Prime, I maintain that it's an excellent deal even at $99. At $73, it's a steal.
Bonus deal No. 2: Calling all Android users! Google would really like you to sign up for -- and use -- Android Pay, and they're willing to give you a free Google Chromecast (second-gen) if you make 10 purchases with it. (You'll also qualify for three free Google Play MP3 downloads.) I can't find an actual promo page for this offer, but the terms and conditions are outlined here. Basically, once you use Android Pay 10 times, you'll receive a code good for $35 off a Chromecast -- effectively making it free.