Mobile Broadband

Hi There,

I have a m1530 on its way and I would like to know what Mobile Broadband options are available, apart from the usb adapters?

This is probably a silly question but I'm easily confused :confused2:

Any info would be great.

Thanks.

 

Depending On Where You Live , You Might have the Option of Using EVDO cards or Try a PC Express Based DATA Card.

 

i ordered my dell with a built in card, works brilliantly

 

What WWAN carrier do you have? You are best off with an Express card but you may be able to get an internal mini-pci card from ebay or the like that would be the same as if Dell installed it from the factory.

If you don't have a contract for WWAN service right now, you'd be better off researching your options and buying a data card with the 2yr contract. You'll probably get a datacard for free or $50, better than signing a 2yr contract and getting nothing if you just activate the built-in WWAN that you paid full price for. I recommend Sprint or Verizon.

 

i'm currently using a pay as you go tmobile sim, didnt want a vodafone contract.

 

Absolutely, 100%, INcorrect. Verizon, for example, has been offering a rebate all year for anyone who signs up for service after having Dell install the WWAN card at the factory. Dell charges $150 for the card, and the Verizon rebate from Jan - March was $150. Right now, for this quarter (Apr - June) the rebate is $100. I purchased an XPS M1530 last month using a 10% coupon on top of my 12% EPP discount, so the WWAN card only cost me $18 total after the discount and the rebate. So for $18, I get superior reception plus not having to have an ugly card protruding from the side of my notebook.

No question, having the WWAN installed at the factory is definitely the way to go.

 

Absolutely agree but this only works if you know what service you want to use ahead of time. Since the OP already purchased the system, I can say that you can still buy the WWAN card for the service provider you choose. Just order it from Dell Spare Parts. Also remember that your XPS already has the wiring for WWAN even though you didn't order the cord. So all you need to do is insert the card into the correct slot and connect the appropriate wires.

 

In defense of those ugly cards sticking out the side of laptops

While you can get better reception with an internal card, in most instances, you're stuck with that provider for however long you keep that service. The only exception I've seen to this is HP's latest line of laptops featuring Gobi. It's a radio that lets go on either GSM or EVDO networks worldwide.

I pray that you don't get stuck with Sprint who pulled the rug from under customers and changed from unlimited plans to 5GB plans. If you've got an ugly aircard, then you can call em up and cancel cuz they broke the contract. If you're stuck with a built-in option, they can shaft you. Repeatedly. The only way out is a whole new laptop. $50 - free aircard vs $1000 laptop? Aircard wins.

Besides, with 3 kinds of aircards to choose from, it doesn't have to stick out like a spear that'll impale you on your next flight from NY to California.