( Mobile ) - Most modems are boring boxes with a couple of antennas sticking out the back. Not these bad boys, though. Motorola has taken a decidedly unique approach to their CPEi300 and CPEi800 WiMax modems. The former, with its chrome dome appearance, reminds me of a certain droid from a galaxy far, far away, whereas the latter looks like a daunting obelisk without the pointy thing on top.
The CPEi300 -- that's the R2-D2 unit -- is a desktop WiMAX modem based on Intel's 2250 Rosedale 2 chipset. Compatible with the 802.16e-2005 standard, this modem will work on 2.3, 2.5, and 3.5GHz freqencies or WiMAX mobile. The $200 unit is scheduled to hit Tatooine in the fourth quarter of this year.
If you like glossy black, then you may prefer the CPEi800 with its WiFi, quad ethernet ports, dual analog line jacks, and external antenna jacks. Oh, and it does WiMAX too. No word on the pricing for this modem, but it'll probably cost more than its robot cousin when it ships in the second half of 2008.