M1330 - built in wifi better reception or just use the wifi card?

I am planning to subscribe to Verizon's cellular wifi network. You can buy a Verizon wifi card for about $150, which I assume has a small antenna built into the card. Is the reception better if I order the M1330 with wifi built in?

Also, if I order the Verizon wifi option, but later switch to Cingular, am I screwed?

 

Sorry, I meant to use the words "mobile broadband" rather than "wifi."

 

I can help you out with your second question....

It's actually not called <service name> Wifi. It's actually called WWAN. Unfortunately, Verizon uses CDMA technology and is not compatible with Cingular/AT&T's GSM technology. However, if you do switch from VZW to AT&T, all you have to do is replace the WWAN module underneath the laptop (the manual shows how to do this). The mini-card is about $150 i think (off the top of my head) from Dell and supports Revision A EVDO (which gives you faster uploads then Revision 0) / HSPDA for Cingular/AT&T.

As for your first question, its just a matter of convenience I believe. If you want to use the service on other laptops, get the express card/PCMCIA card/USB version. If you want to use it on just THAT laptop, then buy the module and install it yourself (or you can buy it pre-built).

Just becareful... Verizon HATES streaming!!! So don't do too much streaming/VoIP or they will perm. BAN you from their service (stupid -- I know).

 

I would assume that the internal solution would provide better reception because of the 2 built-in antennas. As far as switching provider, the only problem you will encounter is the contract agreement that they make you sign. As far as the hardware is concerned, whether you go internal or external does not matter because they are both swappable and your extra card woulf probably fetch a decent price on Ebay.

 

you can switch to Cingular/ Atnt with out having to do a contract

 

OK - for the $150 Dell will charge (for whichever service), does the M1330 automatically come with 2 built in antennas, or is this what the $150 pays for?

If the internal antennas automatically come with the M1330, will these antennas be utilized automatically, rather than the tiny one in the PC card?


Blahdude84- thanks for the note on streaming and getting banned.. I wasn't planning on streaming, but I had never heard of getting banned.

 

been getting some PMs about the no contract thing . All you need to do is bring your own equipment and find the right rep that can get you started

 

I am almost certain that it comes with the 2-built in antennas, but I am not 100% sure (you might want to call sales). I know in the m1200's ... you needed to buy the camera version for the antennas to be built in.

The $150 pays for the internal card you will install.

... and the streaming is a huge issue on most VZW EVDO forums. They also seem to have a "limit" on their unlimited plans (usually 5 GB). If you go over that imaginary limit, you will get banned as well.

I have a Sprint data plan so I avoid that stuff... but they recently canceled service to 1000 customers for calling CS too much!!! *sigh*

 

blahdude, what does cingular/at&t have to do with the ops question?
The majority of at&ts network is still on edge which is dog slow. If you'd like a real unlimited mobile broadband solution it be best to go with sprint.

The prices are reasonable and the speed in great. Verizons speed is great too but they do whine if you use too much bandwidth.

The notebook is going to come with the antennas built in so all you need to do is add the wwan mini pci-e card later. Also if you want the wwan mini pci-e card on the cheap all you have to do is crack open a sprint u720 or verizon usb 720.

It has a mini pci-e card inside and you can get those a lot cheaper than $150. You do lose your warranty on it though if you get it that way.

 

I'm just saying that they use different technology... so he has to get a new card if he wants to switch from VZW to Cingular/AT&T. I agree though, most of AT&T's network is still on EDGE (like the iPhone) and its slooooooowwwwwww.... I would kill myself if I had that.

 

Verizion has a 5gig limit per month

Edge isn't that bad

 

It sucks if you are trying to do certain things...

 

wow..didnt know that!

 

How could you add an external antenna to that ?

 

If your getting one of the new dells with the wwan option available then the antennas are already in your notebook.

All you have to do is take it out of the u720 and put it in here.