Extended broadband devices

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › Extended broadband devices

quickymart

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#41242 11-Sep-2009 22:24

Thought I should make a new thread as the WCDMA 900 one was getting a bit long.

I found out tonight my laptop has an ExpressCard|34 slot on it. While I could get a Vodem and use USB, it would be nice to use this ExpressCard slot, as otherwise it's unused, and I don't have a great deal of USB slots on my laptops.

I want something that supports all the speeds/frequencies of the K7315 but in an ExpressCard, and it *must* support Extended Broadband (HSUPA?).

I was looking at this:

http://www.option.com/en/products/products/wireless-data-cards/gt-express-421-vf-e3730/

(Might be a question for John): would this work?

Otherwise, can anyone suggest a suitable device?

Edit: how does one enter a URL/link??

johnr

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#255104 11-Sep-2009 22:32

Yep that will work fine on the 3G extended network

quickymart

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#255106 11-Sep-2009 22:47

Any experience with ExpressCard devices like that John? Do they give better throughput than USB?

johnr

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#255107 11-Sep-2009 22:54

No it will not offer faster throughput will be the same as USB

John

quickymart

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#255189 12-Sep-2009 14:40

Would one of those get the same signal (strength-wise) as a Vodem though? I notice that ExpressCard device has an extendable aerial - does it make any difference?

Also. Are VF going to offer an ExpressCard device that works with Extended 3G, or is the Vodem it? I'd prefer to get a device direct from VF, if I could...

johnr

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#255190 12-Sep-2009 14:42

Express card is coming for 900/2100 3G

You can't put an express card on the end of a USB lead which is one advantage for low coverage areas

John

richms

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#255205 12-Sep-2009 16:09

There are expresscard to USB adaptors since that's all that slow expresscard devices use internally.

IMO untill they make a mobile internet card that doesnt stick out there is still minimal benifit over a USB device as you still have to remove it to put the laptop in your bag.

Richard rich.ms

Behodar

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#255245 12-Sep-2009 20:00

There's still the benefit of it not eating up a USB port, which are often in short supply on laptops.

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quickymart

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#255268 12-Sep-2009 22:08

That's what I was thinking :)
Although I've been caught out with that sort of thing before. Way back in 2006, I purchased a PCMCIA Aircard 580 to use on Telecom's CDMA network; at the time, it was the fastest mobile broadband available. Fast forward to early 2008, laptop completely dies, not worth fixing at all, and it turns out I can't buy a laptop with a PCMCIA slot anymore (not an HP one, anyway). Telecom are turning off their CDMA network in a few years, so I ended up selling it at a loss.

That's a pretty significant downside to having a card that only works in a dedicated slot like that, which is why I'm a little wary that it may get difficult in the future to buy a machine with an ExpressCard slot. Yet USB has been around for ages, and every laptop sold today (that I've seen) comes with at least two slots, but I agree; you generally get a greater number of slots on a desktop.

Then again, it would be nice to use this ExpressCard slot for a modem...hmmm...decisions, decisions...

John, can you tell me what brand/model number the VF-offered ExpressCard will be? Any idea of price? ie, same as a Vodem, or more?

Thanks for your help on this. by the way :)

johnr

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#255271 12-Sep-2009 22:14

Not sure on model numbers will see if I can check it out next week

John

quickymart

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#255955 15-Sep-2009 21:04

How did you get on John? Any idea of a release date? :)

johnr

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#255960 15-Sep-2009 21:12

quickymart: How did you get on John? Any idea of a release date? :)

Sorry need a reminder during business hours

John

quickymart

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#256224 16-Sep-2009 17:25

Sorry John I can't post during the day :( but did you find anything out yet? :)

quickymart

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#256908 18-Sep-2009 18:23

Bump: any joy John? :)

coffeebaron

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#263874 14-Oct-2009 14:26

johnr:
quickymart: How did you get on John? Any idea of a release date? :)

Sorry need a reminder during business hours

John

is it business hours yet? :)

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quickymart

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#263962 14-Oct-2009 22:00

Never mind, I bought a Vodem at their new price in the end :)