How long do your cable modems or routers last?

rj144

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I'm just curious. I use my own routers and modems instead of the cable company's POS routers and modems. For some reason, both last about 1.5 to 2 years. I'm just wondering if anyone else uses a modem that lasts a long time. It seems to be a fairly common problem with them.

(During the short period I used the cable company's modem and router, they only lasted 6 months or less.)
 
I've had mine for 4 years and it was an older model that I bought used online. That goes for both the modem and wireless router. Although lately I've had issues with the wireless router but I'm not 100% sure it's the wireless router.
 
So when they start putting these things in our heads in the not so distant future,

What will the life expectancy be? And will be have to get them replaced by surgery every few years?

And what happens when they start exploding like vape pens...
 
So when they start putting these things in our heads in the not so distant future,

What will the life expectancy be? And will be have to get them replaced by surgery every few years?

And what happens when they start exploding like vape pens...

<Kpop01>
 
So when they start putting these things in our heads in the not so distant future,

What will the life expectancy be? And will be have to get them replaced by surgery every few years?

Usually you just have to update the firmware every now and then
 
been using the same Netgear for a good 4-5 years now
still works great
 
Post super high qualify high res pics of router
 
Usually you just have to update the firmware every now and then

But what about when the chips or the actual device becomes outdated?

I mean if Apple makes these things that means everyone will be needing to get surgery every 6 months ...
 
Forever. I had an old wireless N router from 2006 and just got rid of it in 2016 because I didnt realize it was only using 1/3 of the internet speed my modem was sending to it. Routers are eternal.
 
Netgear nighthawk x4s 2600 and netgear cm 1000 have been good for like 5 years.
 
Had one modem for 4 years and it was still working fine when i upgraded to a better one for 100gb/s. The newer one is at 2 years now and going strong.
 
So when they start putting these things in our heads in the not so distant future,

What will the life expectancy be? And will be have to get them replaced by surgery every few years?

And what happens when they start exploding like vape pens...
That's only possible if you upgrade from the disc drive
 
I use the Spectrum-provided modem and take it back every couple years to upgrade. They will let it rot in your house if you don't force the issue of upgrading. My router is my old Apple Time Capsule. Apple no longer supports it with firmware upgrades, but it's fine for now. I'll upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 once I've upgraded to devices with that capability.
 
I bought my modem and router and 2013, they both still work fine. Previously I’ve had routers go every 3-4 years, with modems lasting longer. My cable company charges $10 a month for a modem, so I’ve always bought my own.
 
Hmm... my don't last that long, like I said. Maybe there's an airflow problem. Although, they are out in the open pretty much.
 
I had one that was at least 6+ years old and only stopped using it once I moved. I didnt even know it was common for them to fail. Never experienced that
 
I think I bought my cable modem before 2013. A guy who worked for the cable company told me which one to buy instead of paying the cable company rent on one. It was around $30 at that time and it's a Zoom. Now I see the new model sells for almost $200. I bought Netgear 76 router at the same time. I thought they might have the date on them but they don't. I haven't had any problems. I have everything plugged into Cyberpower UPS systems. My cable is supplied underground and I think it's over a fiberoptic network so no lightning strikes.
 
I'm fairly certain my modem is the same one that was installed when I moved into my house 14 years ago. I just tried changing it out today, because of them upping the price, but they reverted me back to my old price and it continues to keep on ticking.

My router is an Apple (at least 4 years old), and to date has been the best performing and longest lived router I've owned. Netflix and Asus always seemed to die on me within a year or two no matter how often I updated the firmware.
 
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