[max51]

if he only paid 100$ for a modem and it was brand new, it likely wasn't an all-in-one station like what large ISPs are trying to push. Cheaper/dumber modems severely limit the amount of control Comcast have and how much they can fuck up your network with a bad update. They can't mess up your wifi settings if the box they control doesn't even have a wireless radio on it.

"dumb" modems are a lot more reliable simply because there is nothing for them to patch inside. It doesn't have a complex OS running a wide range of services that need regular updates (managing a TV, wifi, file sharing, etc.).

[matthew-wegner]

simply because there is nothing for them to patch inside

Cable ISPs still regularly push firmware to compatible modems on their network, standalone or combo modem/router, rented or owned

If it runs on their network, they have the ability to flash it (and they do)

It's a lot less control than your wifi/router settings, obviously, but it's still a thing

[sveiss]

Yeah, if it’s just a modem with a separate router that’s fine, but I think you can get an entry level all in one for around $100 now?

I see at least one on Amazon, but it’s hard to tell if it’s refurbished, which most at that price point are.