Need mobile wireless for R400

What are the best choices here? I really dont know anything about this yet, trying to learn. I stopped by altel and at&t today and they were both 60/month. Are there any other options?

Also, altel only had usb units. this would stick out and get broken off no doubt. any disadvantage in going with a pc card slot one over a USB?

Any opinions and help much appreciated!

 

Alltel, AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint all tend to be the same price point ($60 per month, 5GB monthly transfer cap, 2 year service agreement).

The biggest question is who gives you the best speed/coverage where you need it (ask your LOCAL friends), and can you get any discounts (bundle with Cell contract, through work, etc.) as this may tip the scales. I have used Sprint's WWAN service in the past and was generally satisfied with it (pretty consistent 1 mbps/300 kbps throughout the midwest).

The best option from a usability standpoint is to have the WWAN card built into the laptop (I have an AT&T card w/o an activated SIM in my x200 Tablet). However, the Ericsson F3507G card is much more expensive as an aftermarket add on than if you got it with you notebook (this is why I configured mine with the WWAN card).

PCMCIA/Expresscard solutions are generally more usable as a laptop solution (less sticks out, and less chance of breaking it). However, the PCMCIA/ExpressCard modems tend to cost more than the USB ones (not sure why). One other advantage of the USB modems is that they are universally accepted. You can use it any notebook (all have USB, but most old ones don't have ExpressCard and most new ones don't have PCMCIA) or even a desktop in a pinch.

Additionally, a fair number of home routers (e.g. my D-Link DIR-655) can use a USB cell modem as a WAN device and share it with all the computers in your network. This is decent alternative to DSL/Cable Modem if you can live with the speeds and don't need more than 5GB of data transfer in a month (I transfer much more than that so I need uncapped DSL at home). Conversely, only a few very specialized routers (e.g. the Cradlepoint CTR500) support PCMCIA or ExpressCard modems.

 

thanks but this laptop cant even get online. having same problems as my last one which i returned. i friggen hate laptops. ive ordered about 10 of them. most never arrived or got stolen in the mail. the rest wont get online. screw these stupid things.

 

Great explanation jonlumpkin... I want to ask you is those PCMCIA/ExpressCard are sold only by the cellphone companies, or can I buy it from a e-tailer and talk with the cellphone company if they carry the cards with the plans?

 

You should be able to get an unlocked PCMCIA/ExpressCard for either AT&T or Alltell (and also T-Mobile). These companies use SIM cards for authentication and as long as you have an activated WWAN SIM (or a smartphone SIM with a tethering option [$10-15 more per month if available]) you can pop it in your PCMCIA/ExpressCard (or internal GSM WWAN card) and get online just fine. However, I don't know if you'll be able to avoid getting a contract if you go this route (logically you should, but I doubt AT&T would offer it to you).

Conversely, Verizon/Sprint authenticate on the device level. You cannot transfer plans using a SIM or other method (you have to get them to reactivate your new device for extra $$$). Therefore, I doubt you would have any better luck buying your own WWAN card for Sprint/Verizon than just getting the one they provide.

Additionally, the Cell companies tend to subsidize the price of the WWAN modems. The basic USB one tends to be free with a 2 year conract, but the PCMCIA/ExpressCard ones often cost $50-$200 for some reason.