Looking at the Arris Surfboard G34 and the Netgear Nighthawk. Any thoughts on one vs the other from experience? I don’t know much about this stuff.
Also can anyone tell me if there is a difference between these 2 Surfboards linked below? The one is exclusively for Xfinity/Cox, but I could get it cheaper if I have those providers? The netgear one I am looking at is linked last for reference.
One, I would generally not recommend a modem/router combo at all, but instead separate devices.
Two, you only want a cable modem if you are subscribed (or are going to subscribe) to a cable ISP service. A cable modem would be absolutely useless for a fiber or VDSL service. (And if its a DOCSIS compliant modem, it should work with any DOCSIS compliant cable ISP)
So the first step before deciding what (or if) device you want to obtain, is to at least be certain what ISP/service you’re going to subscribe to.
And often, unless you have very specific needs and know exactly what you’re doing in advance, you’re usually better of starting by using whatever device the ISP you subscribe to provides, and THEN consider whether you need something different or additional. And if you’re seeking advice on reddit at that time, you should be sure to give the exact brand and model of the ISP provided device.
All that said, if I was going to buy a cable modem either to replace an ISP device or for a new service, I would probably get something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-SURFboard-SB8200-RB-Approved-Spectrum/dp/B07M8BNVSD/
And I would continue to use my existing wired router and separate wifi AP. I can see it probably making more sense for most end users to get a router with a wifi AP built in (aka “wireless router” to connect to their modem, and then connect both their wired and wireless devices through it.
