Not all areas of the country have DSL or cable yet, especially far from metro areas. We have them available here, but they were both more expensive than sticking with cheesy AOL and getting a 2nd phone line. We only pay $9.00 a month for the second line with Ameritech (the local phone company around here). We got it so we wouldn't tie up the phone while we're online - we still only have one computer. I am interested in maybe getting a 2nd notebook-style computer though, to take to work, or on road trips.