PC Cards
What exactly are the PC cards used for? I have noticed the Sierra Wireless Aircard 775, a Sony Ericsson GC83 and an Open Globetrotter on Cingular's website. I am sure that is for connectivity for your laptop (or pretty sure at least). Is that any different than tethering it to your phone? Is it supposed to be faster than tethering? If using those cards, I would presume your phone is not involved in the operation of getting online...?? And how much are the data plans associated with this??
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I would say it's quite a bit faster than tethering. The wireless air cards occupy the PCMCIA ports that most laptops have... And no the aircards have nothing to do with your phone, it only accesses the same network (data) your phone (carrier) does...
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Ok, thank you. Since I am with Cingular, I am thinking of buying one of those cards. The Sony is free after mail in rebate, the Globetrotter is $25 and the Sierra is $50. Which is better, and what is it that makes it better, in your opinion? And how much are the data plans associated with it? I have the unlimited media net on my account, but I am sure I would need some sort of other data plan.
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The only real difference between the cards is that the Globetrotter has wi-fi while the other two are just quad-band gsm/gprs/edge. I've gotten the Sierra in at my store and was not too impressed with the packaging compared to the sony. I've typically had the best luck with the sony card. Since you have voice service as well, unlimited data on one of these would only be 59.99...without a voice plan unlimited is 79.99. I know for a fact that the ericsson is free after rebate only if you do that unlimited data plan. Looks like that is the case with the sierra card as well.
Personaly, I would wait until the umts and hspda cards come out...
Hope that helps.
Personaly, I would wait until the umts and hspda cards come out...
Hope that helps.
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Thanks much. I am presuming those new cards will be much faster (as well as much more expensive lol). Don't really have a need for it, so I am fine waiting. Thanks again.
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Nobody really has any pricing they can give on the UMTS/HSPDA cards for cingular. They will not be any more expensive than the 3g cards for Verizon.
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And how much are they at Verizon? I refuse to let my wonderful computer go to any site that is associated with Verizon, it may become infected with nastiness.
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...and if the aircard has on-board WiFI (802.11) on top of GPRS/EDGE/WHATEVER that's a plus if your laptop has no wireless card installed or built-in... If your laptop has wireless (WiFi) installed there may be price points in (saving money) with getting the aircard that only has EDGE/GPRS... Also, I like the ideas about waiting for the HSDPA cards...
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Yes my laptop has built in wi-fi. It's a Dell XPS M-140. I had them put me in a bluetooth modem (I had a BT dongle on my desktop) and this works much better than the dongle.
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Then don't worry about WiFi on the card and read Ralph's post below. Go with whichever has the price points.
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Ok, I got ya. But something else is, are they just like phones in the sense one may have better reception than the other? I'm sure they all may work great in the city, but how about the "fringe" areas??
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"external whip antenna" In the case of reception, size does matter. I almost always buy replacement external antennas which attach to my laptop and nearly triple the length. People may think the black wire that follows the frame of my laptop may look funny, but I'm getting better reception than anyone else near me.
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Most have an external antenna, some have an internal. I suggest buying one with an external antenna, then buy a better one to replace the stock antenna. The antennas can be plugged in and unplugged repeatedly.
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Ok, I appreciate yours and everyone else's help in answering all my questions..
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We sell the antenna adapter and a 3db gain mag mount antenna kit for $79.99 in store. Great for rural areas.
Only works for SE GC83. Haven't seen one for the Sierra Card(s).
Only works for SE GC83. Haven't seen one for the Sierra Card(s).
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dca said:
I like the ideas about waiting for the HSDPA cards...
They're out. When the HSPDA network is up the current UMTS air cards will work with it.
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They are already out.
$149 - $99 after $100 MIR depending on market and rate plan. I am selling them for the $149.
$149 - $99 after $100 MIR depending on market and rate plan. I am selling them for the $149.
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The Sierra 860 UMTS data card is already out in some markets, including mine. It retails for $199.99 on a two year contract, and you get a $100 mail-in rebate if you sign up on the unlimited data plan.
Also, in Dallas, if you sign up on the unlimited data plan before the end of the year and already have a line in service you can get it for $59.99 a month instead of the usual $79.99.
Also, in Dallas, if you sign up on the unlimited data plan before the end of the year and already have a line in service you can get it for $59.99 a month instead of the usual $79.99.
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400-700 kbps average download speed with 1Mbps max. The upload speed is slower, but I don't have those numbers in front of me. I'm also not worried about upload speed since everything I ever upload from a laptop is text. If you were going to play an MMORPG, I wouldn't use an aircard.
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