I was a happy user of a cable card (M-Card) from Comcast until just recently. I just switched to Verizon FIOS and am using their cable cards now. No problems installing with either company so yes, they are offering them. Neither knows what an M-Card (multistream cable card) is when you call although Comcast installers had them.

This doesn't address the point here though as both providers require you to rent the cable cards. Even if you already own one, you cannot use it with their network unless you are renting it from them. Ok, so the cards rent at a lesser fee, neither company here will sell it to me. A card is just a smaller box in this regard.

I used an old shuttle box (running XP) for my parent's machine. This way when things go south as they tend to do about once a year, they unplug the color-coded wires and bring me just the box. I even gave them a padded carry case for the flight.

They live out of state and their connection prevents remote-desktop. This is the next best thing while still being cheaper than a laptop. They travel here several times a year anyway.

Once in hand, I can clean up/defrag/check all updates/etc., and refresh the acronis image.

Still, switching over to Linux is an option I am seriously considering.