USB modem vs router

cyberstar

Is a USB modem more energy efficient than using a router? Because unlike a router it doesn't use a power adapter.

Browntoa

but then again USB draws more current from the motherboard, slows the Pc down so it works harder, hence it uses more electricity

think it cancels the saving out

christopher

And (on a more technical side of things) you'll never be able to get more speedwise than the USB bus can support, so if it's a USB 1 device you'll only get a handful of mbps when you might have a 10, 20Mbps line - just not worth the miniscule power saving really. USB connections also cause problems with computers when regular Cat5 connections to the same device work flawlessly. If you're that concerned about power usage, you could always splice into the computer's 5v or 12v rail and power the modem that way...