SupraFAXModem 14400
Encyclopedia
The SupraFAXModem 14400 was one of the first truly affordable v.32bis modem
s to come to market. Launched in January 1991 at a $399 price point, the 14,400 bit/s model was less expensive than most 9600 bit/s models, supported many additional features, and was housed in an attractive case. The SupraFAX is an example of a disruptive technology
; although it arrived into an existing modem market, its price/performance ratio
was so great compared to any other model available that its introduction drove modem prices sharply downward. Whereas a 9600 bit/s model was perhaps $599 only a month before its introduction, by the end of the year $250 models were not uncommon.
Supra, Inc.
had been a small player in the computer market through the mid-to-late 1980s, known originally for their external hard drives for the Atari ST
and a variety of follow-on products. During 1991, Rockwell International
's chip-making arm developed a new model driver chipset that included all of the latest standards that were then under development. Supra, never having been known as a "player" in the modem world, designed a modem based on the new chipset, and arranged a short-term exclusivity agreement. Not content with being the first consumer v.32bis modem on the market, Supra chose to introduce a new display on the front, a two-digit green electroluminescent display
that showed the speed of connection and other information such as "RI" for ring indication and "CD" for carrier detect. Later models such as the LC shown in the photos used individual lamps that were a common feature of external modems.The case itself was about half the size of a "normal" modem, the standard having been set with the Hayes Smartmodem
in 1981 and copied by the vast majority of modems since then.
In addition to the basic modem, Supra also introduced software to make better use of all the features of the modem. In particular, Supra re-packaged FAXstf as FAXCilitate
, a Macintosh
fax
application that allowed any application that supported printing to send the output as a fax instead. They later introduced Supra VoiceMail, another Mac application written by STF Technologies that turned the computer into a digital answering machine with caller id
routing and similar features.
The SupraFAXModem was by no means a perfect product. Continued high-speed use caused the driver chipset to heat up, and as the case lacked any airflow the modems would eventually get hot enough to lose the ability to connect stably, dropping calls. Another minor issue was that the status display codes in the alphanumeric display rotated through several different indications, and important information, like CD, would only be displayed every few seconds. Both of these issues make them unsuitable for "host side" use on a bulletin board system
or internet service provider
, but on the client end these issues were simply not important.
Supra also released a v.32 version at the same time, but it seems to have been fairly uncommon. They followed up the 14400 with the SupraFAXModem 288, the first consumer v.34 modem, and then a series of various versions with different features. The SupraExpress was a low-cost series that scaled to lower price points.
Modem
A modem is a device that modulates an analog carrier signal to encode digital information, and also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information. The goal is to produce a signal that can be transmitted easily and decoded to reproduce the original digital data...
s to come to market. Launched in January 1991 at a $399 price point, the 14,400 bit/s model was less expensive than most 9600 bit/s models, supported many additional features, and was housed in an attractive case. The SupraFAX is an example of a disruptive technology
Disruptive technology
A disruptive technology or disruptive innovation is an innovation that helps create a new market and value network, and eventually goes on to disrupt an existing market and value network , displacing an earlier technology there...
; although it arrived into an existing modem market, its price/performance ratio
Price/performance ratio
In economics and engineering, the price/performance ratio refers to a product's ability to deliver performance, of any sort, for its price. Generally speaking, products with a higher price/performance ratio are more desirable, excluding other factors....
was so great compared to any other model available that its introduction drove modem prices sharply downward. Whereas a 9600 bit/s model was perhaps $599 only a month before its introduction, by the end of the year $250 models were not uncommon.
Supra, Inc.
Supra, Inc.
Supra, Inc., previously known as Supra Corporation, were best known as manufacturers of modems for personal computers, but also produced a range of hardware for the Amiga, including SCSI controllers, memory boards, and processor accelerators....
had been a small player in the computer market through the mid-to-late 1980s, known originally for their external hard drives for the Atari ST
Atari ST
The Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals...
and a variety of follow-on products. During 1991, Rockwell International
Rockwell International
Rockwell International was a major American manufacturing conglomerate in the latter half of the 20th century, involved in aircraft, the space industry, both defense-oriented and commercial electronics, automotive and truck components, printing presses, valves and meters, and industrial automation....
's chip-making arm developed a new model driver chipset that included all of the latest standards that were then under development. Supra, never having been known as a "player" in the modem world, designed a modem based on the new chipset, and arranged a short-term exclusivity agreement. Not content with being the first consumer v.32bis modem on the market, Supra chose to introduce a new display on the front, a two-digit green electroluminescent display
Electroluminescent display
Electroluminescent Displays are a type of Flat panel display created by sandwiching a layer of electroluminescent material such as GaAs between two layers of conductors. When current flows, the layer of material emits radiation in the form of visible light...
that showed the speed of connection and other information such as "RI" for ring indication and "CD" for carrier detect. Later models such as the LC shown in the photos used individual lamps that were a common feature of external modems.The case itself was about half the size of a "normal" modem, the standard having been set with the Hayes Smartmodem
Hayes Microcomputer Products
Hayes Microcomputer Products was a U.S.-based manufacturer of modems. They are particularly well known for their Smartmodem, which is introduced the ability to control the modem through commands sent in the data stream itself. The "smart modem" approach dramatically simplified operation, making...
in 1981 and copied by the vast majority of modems since then.
In addition to the basic modem, Supra also introduced software to make better use of all the features of the modem. In particular, Supra re-packaged FAXstf as FAXCilitate
FAXCilitate
FAXCilitate was a Macintosh computer program that was bundled with PSI modems. PSI bought the rights to FaxSTF and bundled it with their ComStation and PowerModem hardware. Supra, Inc. later bought PSI...
, a Macintosh
Macintosh
The Macintosh , or Mac, is a series of several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The first Macintosh was introduced by Apple's then-chairman Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a...
fax
Fax
Fax , sometimes called telecopying, is the telephonic transmission of scanned printed material , normally to a telephone number connected to a printer or other output device...
application that allowed any application that supported printing to send the output as a fax instead. They later introduced Supra VoiceMail, another Mac application written by STF Technologies that turned the computer into a digital answering machine with caller id
Caller ID
Caller ID , also called calling line identification or calling number identification or Calling Line Identification Presentation , is a telephone service, available in analog and digital phone systems and most Voice over Internet Protocol applications, that transmits a caller's number to...
routing and similar features.
The SupraFAXModem was by no means a perfect product. Continued high-speed use caused the driver chipset to heat up, and as the case lacked any airflow the modems would eventually get hot enough to lose the ability to connect stably, dropping calls. Another minor issue was that the status display codes in the alphanumeric display rotated through several different indications, and important information, like CD, would only be displayed every few seconds. Both of these issues make them unsuitable for "host side" use on a bulletin board system
Bulletin board system
A Bulletin Board System, or BBS, is a computer system running software that allows users to connect and log in to the system using a terminal program. Once logged in, a user can perform functions such as uploading and downloading software and data, reading news and bulletins, and exchanging...
or internet service provider
Internet service provider
An Internet service provider is a company that provides access to the Internet. Access ISPs directly connect customers to the Internet using copper wires, wireless or fiber-optic connections. Hosting ISPs lease server space for smaller businesses and host other people servers...
, but on the client end these issues were simply not important.
Supra also released a v.32 version at the same time, but it seems to have been fairly uncommon. They followed up the 14400 with the SupraFAXModem 288, the first consumer v.34 modem, and then a series of various versions with different features. The SupraExpress was a low-cost series that scaled to lower price points.