Review: Global Village TelePort 56K/V.92 Model 6250 serial modem

Reviewed By: Bill Stiteler

Review Date: April 27, 2001

Product: Serial modem

Developer: Global Village

Minimum Requirements : Any Macintosh or compatible with 68020 processor or later, one available serial port, Mac OS version 7.6.1 for use of GlobalFax software, 4MB RAM, 8MB hard disk space, standard analog phone line

Retail Price: $98

Availability: Out now

Back in the day, Global Village was one of the companies that kept the Mac alive by designing fantastic, elegant products that always worked, and worked the way you wanted them to. Their modems were so good, in fact, that Apple included them as the standard model on their computers, bundling the nifty software that not only let a GV modem do its internet thang, but also included little extras like a connection gauge in the menu bar that let you know if the modem was sending/receiving and how fast, as well as fax software that let you fax from any application that could print.

For a long time, I thought Global Village was an Apple subsidiary--their product simply worked so seamlessly I couldn't believe they were separate companies. Then, however, another company bought out GV, and while I have no idea what the modems were like (I was still plugging along with the 28.8 internal in my 5200), their video editing software, to put the matter lightly, sucked like two black holes. Now, however, GV has been purchased again, this time by Zoom Technologies, who have released the latest in the TelePort line of modems, which is also the first v.92 modem for the Mac.

The news is good.

First off, the new TelePort kicks it old school by using the serial port connector. I've got nothing against USB, but it's not the venue for data-intensive transfers. And while Mac users have a variety of modems available to them, it's nice that those of us who use pre-G Macs have a great modem with fantastic Mac integration as an option.

The best news is that the TelePort still features the GlobalFax software. Fax from any application by setting up a hot key (command-control+p instead of simply command+p, for example). The GlobalFax software makes it simple to set up contacts, cover sheets, and even dialing options like using calling cards, or dialing overseas. The only place I've found problems is in dialing to different area codes that aren't long distance--a relatively new problem for telephony, I think. But otherwise, GlobalFax is a dream, with the connection gauge telling you how many pages are left to transmit. Having used some terrible fax software in the past (and paying a premium process), I can tell you that the GlobalFax software is one of those great programs that has the simple feel of shareware, but power that exceeds some commercial packages.

The TelePort also works on the new v.92 standard for modems, which, if your ISP supports that, gives you some nifty benefits including notification of call waiting, and "call-waiting-on-hold." Provided, of course, your telephone service supports it as well. My ISP hasn't migrated yet, and I don't have call waiting. For those who don't want or can't get a phone-free broadband solution, though, this might be a selling point. One thing I will recommend is that you make sure your ISP is on at least the v.90 standard. My old connection was on the v.34 standard, and connections would take up to half a minute and would be slow and unreliable. I switched to a different dial-in on the v.90, however, and connections went through very quickly with little to no disconnect during use.

I'm also informed that "...the Model 6250 incorporates an on-board controller and DSP (Digital Signal Processor). That means there's no performance compromise since the Model 6250 does not rely on your computer's CPU to perform the complex, multiple, real-time computing tasks required for high-speed communications." It's at this point that I blink and say something like "My cat's breath smells like cat food." They could tell me that it contained more magic elves than ever to speed up my web surfing, and I'd believe them.

If you're putting off broadband or simply don't need it and own a serial Mac, then this is the modem for you. The new owners of the Global Village moniker have restored some prestige to one of the greatest Macintosh peripherals ever.

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