Comcast Xfinity router replacement

[PowerBottom]

 

I haven’t use this app or site before but I was wondering if anyone can recommend Wi-Fi router to buy instead of using Xfinity‘s xb7. In the app you can disable sharing your connection with other customers., they’ve always said it doesn’t slow down your speed or affect you in anyway, but when your router in your apartment, throws out an extra signal, xfinitywifi anyone can connect to that doesn’t seem safe to me, so I disabled it in the app however, I don’t know if it really does it or if they just have that for show. I am pretty text savvy as in everyone I know calls me and comes to me when they have a problem with their computer or phone and honestly the stuff most of the time they ask I don’t know how to do is so easy but many people that I know actually think I’m some hacker because of how smart I am when technically I try to tell them I’m not smart I just know basic stuff that everyone should know lol anyway if I was that smart, I wouldn’t be asking questions like this I would know how to protect my Wi-Fi and my phone I would know what is the best software or app to use to protect my iPhone from malicious use. There are so many out there. I don’t know what to use so I don’t use any I do know the one that comes pre-installed with Verizon wireless called something Protection is bologna and I disable it. I have Google one I pay for and I noticed recently it has a VPN option so I turned it on and when it’s on my phone hardly works apps don’t work correctly everything freezes so that’s pointless.. but anyways give me a router I could buy to use with Xfinity. I only get 100 Mbps a month, but my devices like my cameras and Alexa‘s and speakers and electronics are constantly disconnecting and connecting in my one TV I use will occasionally freeze for a few seconds and then play freeze and then play. There’s no need for that. I don’t have 50 devices connected to the Wi-Fi only approximately 10. Also, if anyone can recommend what application if any they use for their phone or iPhone since that’s what I’m using after being an android user since 2009 when the Motorola droid was released to Verizon wireless, then I pretty much had every single galaxy note and then some I recently even bought the galaxy Z-fold four which I like, but so many applications are not compatible with it yet so it doesn’t work as well as it should and I always have bad luck with android things always freezing and going wrong and I feel like it’s more easily hacked or if I go to a porn website porn hubs that’s it. I’m toast things start acting crazy, even when I’m careful I factory reset my phone every three months sometimes more it would be nice not to have to do it that much but I don’t think there’s any phone protection software out there that can prevent any malicious content getting on my phone except just if I’m going to go to a stupid website or something I know I shouldn’t use one of my other android devices with nothing on it. No saved passwords or anything . I appreciate your help and time.

[Bombastinator]

I understand the move is to get just about anything that can run a third party open source OS.  IIRC there are two different ones.  After that it’s just what features do you need.

[Bitter]

Just buy a Surfboard modem from their approved list, but whatever router is at or near the top of 'best routers of 2023' lists online, then connect everything and call comcast and tell them you've got a new modem to setup.

[Bombastinator]

9 minutes ago, Bitter said:

Just buy a Surfboard modem from their approved list, but whatever router is at or near the top of 'best routers of 2023' lists online, then connect everything and call comcast and tell them you've got a new modem to setup.

That is a point.  It’s best if possible to use a router your isp is used to working with.  There tend to be problems with stuff they’ve never used.  If Comcast is your isp provider (my condolences.  Few people do that if they have a choice) then what they use is what you want to get.

[Donut417]

22 minutes ago, Bombastinator said:

 It’s best if possible to use a router your isp is used to working with.

Yeah if you like spending $15 a month for the privilege. We haven't used Comcast supplied equipment in like 10 years. We have save a ton. But you are right, if you use your own equipment then Comcast cant help you, but honestly most of their "Tech support" cant help you regardless, they are just sales people they put in a "Tech support" position. 

 

2 hours ago, PowerBottom said:

I appreciate your help and time.

Issue you have is the SB7 is two devices. Its a Docsis 3.1 cable modem and a router. So you either have to buy a combo unit and those are generally crappy. Or you have to buy two separate devices. 

 

Further more, if you pay extra for unlimited data instead of paying $25/m it will be $30/m. Also because your in an apartment a better router will likely not help if your having WiFi issues. 

 

2 hours ago, PowerBottom said:

xfinitywifi anyone can connect to that doesn’t seem safe to me, so I disabled it in the app however, I don’t know if it really does it or if they just have that for show

Its a seperate network from yours. Furthermore you have to technically sign in to use it, if your not a customer then you have to pay after x amount of time using it. So if someone did something malicious on it, they would be able to track them down. Also they provide extra bandwidth so that the free WiFi has its own and does not use any of yours. 

[Bombastinator]

2 hours ago, Donut417 said:

Yeah if you like spending $15 a month for the privilege. We haven't used Comcast supplied equipment in like 10 years. We have save a ton. But you are right, if you use your own equipment then Comcast cant help you, but honestly most of their "Tech support" cant help you regardless, they are just sales people they put in a "Tech support" position. 

 

Issue you have is the SB7 is two devices. Its a Docsis 3.1 cable modem and a router. So you either have to buy a combo unit and those are generally crappy. Or you have to buy two separate devices. 

 

Further more, if you pay extra for unlimited data instead of paying $25/m it will be $30/m. Also because your in an apartment a better router will likely not help if your having WiFi issues. 

 

Its a seperate network from yours. Furthermore you have to technically sign in to use it, if your not a customer then you have to pay after x amount of time using it. So if someone did something malicious on it, they would be able to track them down. Also they provide extra bandwidth so that the free WiFi has its own and does not use any of yours. 

I didn’t say rent it.  I said use something they are less likely to screw up.  If you’ve got the same hardware as rental customers they won’t push anything through that messes it up.

Edited May 21, 2023 by Bombastinator

[Donut417]

18 minutes ago, Bombastinator said:

I didn’t say rent it.  I said use something they are less likely to screw up.  If you’ve got the same hardware as rental customers they won’t push anything through that messes it up.

You cant buy the same stuff that Comcast leases out. The XB7 for example is only for ISP's from my understanding. Unlike Verizon which did allow customers to purchase equipment directly Comcast does not do that practice. This is why you purchase the stuff on the supported device list, because Comcast does test firmware and such before they push it. 

[Bitter]

2 hours ago, Donut417 said:

You cant buy the same stuff that Comcast leases out. The XB7 for example is only for ISP's from my understanding. Unlike Verizon which did allow customers to purchase equipment directly Comcast does not do that practice. This is why you purchase the stuff on the supported device list, because Comcast does test firmware and such before they push it. 

Yep, I'm running a Motorola MB8611 which has been rock solid since Jul 2021. Only outages I've had have been either Comcast or my own issues, not had the modem go down once on it's own. It's on the support list and has forward looking capacity for higher speeds, previously I had a SB6121 that I bought in 2015 which was also reliable. Each time I did research and picked carefully to avoid models with known issues like firmware bugs, overheating, etc. I paired the modem with a RT2600AC router which is just an absolute non sarcastic joy to use, best router I've ever owned. 100% stable, UI is super super user friendly and easy to use even for a non-tech person. Documentation is plentiful and clear as well. Price has dropped on the 2600 a lot, you can get them for $150 new on Amazon these days, the 6600AX is out now so they're probably clearing old stock. I don't mind being a step behind on technology, means I can pickup premium products at bargain prices and the bugs have been worked out by the time I get there.

[Bombastinator]

6 hours ago, Donut417 said:

You cant buy the same stuff that Comcast leases out. The XB7 for example is only for ISP's from my understanding. Unlike Verizon which did allow customers to purchase equipment directly Comcast does not do that practice. This is why you purchase the stuff on the supported device list, because Comcast does test firmware and such before they push it. 

I had Comcast for a while.  It was basically impossible to return the thing until I just stopped paying them.  Then it was suddenly easy.  I took the hint and had all Comcast gear removed from my property. 

[Donut417]

4 hours ago, Bombastinator said:

I had Comcast for a while.  It was basically impossible to return the thing until I just stopped paying them.  Then it was suddenly easy.  I took the hint and had all Comcast gear removed from my property. 

What you wrote makes no sense. 

 

My point is, you cant buy the same equipment Comcast uses. So going based on what you said here

 

10 hours ago, Bombastinator said:

If you’ve got the same hardware as rental customers they won’t push anything through that messes it up.

 

Seeing how you cant use the same hardware as a rental customer because Comcast only uses gateway devices that are designed for ISP use, you have to buy something else.