HP Netbook with SIM slot

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PSLog

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Master Geek

# 42008 28-Sep-2009 09:30

Not sure if this is the most appropriate form for this..... but here goes.
I want to buy a laptop computer to access the internet from a mobile home, typically from remote areas (certainly not cities).
I have found an HP Mini 1000 that has a slot for a SIM card in the base. The salesman said the slot was for the 900 MHz band - but there is one coming out shortly that is dual-band 900 and 1800 MHz (I think). Naturally the dual-band one is more expensive.
From what I can understand of my reading of the Vodafone site, if I am going to be using the device just in NZ and principally in remote areas, the 900MHz band is the one I want anyway: the 1800 only of use in cities and overseas.
Is my understanding of this correct?
ALSO
Am I limited to using Vodafone cards or can I use any SIM card that operates on the Vodafone network?
I assume Telecom cards will not work?

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BDFL - Memuneh
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# 258892 28-Sep-2009 09:46

AFAIK the only HP with bult-in mobile WCDMA in New Zealand is the HP 5101 and that's a 850/2100 MHz data card (100% coverage on Telecom XT everywhere, 70% on Vodafone only in main centres).

PSLog

236 posts

Master Geek

# 258893 28-Sep-2009 09:50

Hi Maurice
They have a brand new one. It had just arrived at Harvey Norman when I saw it on Saturday. One of those Mini ones, with a 10.1 in screen.

freitasm

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# 258894 28-Sep-2009 09:51

PSLog: From what I can understand of my reading of the Vodafone site, if I am going to be using the device just in NZ and principally in remote areas, the 900MHz band is the one I want anyway: the 1800 only of use in cities and overseas.

You actually need a 900/2100 MHz device to have 100% Vodafone coverage. Most mobile modems are either 900/2100 MHz or 850/2100 MHz.

PSLog

236 posts

Master Geek

# 258898 28-Sep-2009 09:57

Can you explain how I can find the coverage provided by 900MHz and what is provided by 2100Mhz? Is that easy to see on one of their coverage maps?

Aaroona

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# 258899 28-Sep-2009 10:02

PSLog: Can you explain how I can find the coverage provided by 900MHz and what is provided by 2100Mhz? Is that easy to see on one of their coverage maps?

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/coverage/

3G Extended is 900Mhz

3G is 2100Mhz

PSLog

236 posts

Master Geek

# 258903 28-Sep-2009 10:11

OK. So that looks like 900Mhz will give me coverage everywhere that 2100Mhz will (but, I guess, at a slower speed).
The next question is: will the device step down to 2G or 2.5G where "Extended 3G" is not available?
If the answer to that is "Yes", then, for my purposes, it seems that 900MHz will do just fine and there is no need to have access to 2100MHz.
Or have I overlooked something else?

Aaroona

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# 258909 28-Sep-2009 10:16

PSLog: OK. So that looks like 900Mhz will give me coverage everywhere that 2100Mhz will (but, I guess, at a slower speed).
The next question is: will the device step down to 2G or 2.5G where "Extended 3G" is not available?
If the answer to that is "Yes", then, for my purposes, it seems that 900MHz will do just fine and there is no need to have access to 2100MHz.
Or have I overlooked something else?

I would say yes, however, you would haveto double check the specs on the device to make sure it has 2g/GSM bands built in as well.

If I was you, I would get a 900/2100 device, just simply because there will probably be times you are in 2100 space, and surfing on dialup speeds are not fun.

just my 2c

PSLog

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Master Geek

# 258912 28-Sep-2009 10:25

Thanks Aaroona. I can see from your Speedtest results why you would advise the Dual-band :-)
But, believe me, for our use we will be actively avoiding areas where there is 3G coverage. Much more likely to be trying to send an email from Lake Waikaremoana than trying to download a movie parked up in Auchland.
Thanks very much for your advice - it's bee a great help. (Now to ask the question of the salesman regarding 2G)

freitasm

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# 258914 28-Sep-2009 10:26

I think you will find that all devices do 2100 MHz. The variable part is 900 or 850.

Aaroona

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# 258915 28-Sep-2009 10:30

PSLog: Thanks Aaroona. I can see from your Speedtest results why you would advise the Dual-band :-)
But, believe me, for our use we will be actively avoiding areas where there is 3G coverage. Much more likely to be trying to send an email from Lake Waikaremoana than trying to download a movie parked up in Auchland.
Thanks very much for your advice - it's bee a great help. (Now to ask the question of the salesman regarding 2G)

haha, dont worry, that actaully is a 900mhz extended test that you are looking at.

Its terrible. And it never gets any better despite our local sites being upgraded.

nitrotech

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# 259141 28-Sep-2009 21:06

I have a HP Mini 1110tu netbook with inbuilt mobile broadband module, the HP's use a gobi 1000 module branded the HP un2400, this device supports 850/2100 so vodafone extended is out.

Also worth noting that this module at this stage doesn't work correctly with the XT network.

The netbook itself is great and not having to worry about the dongle is a good thing too, but as you say if you're outside the cities then this may not be the device for you.

I understand that the aspire one netbook through vodafone has inbuilt 900/2100 so might be the go.

quickymart

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# 259150 28-Sep-2009 21:31

900MHz 3G Extended worked great when I used it on the Coast last month. Just saving up for a Vodem now :)

PSLog

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Master Geek

# 259157 28-Sep-2009 21:50

nitrotech: I have a HP Mini 1110tu netbook with inbuilt mobile broadband module, the HP's use a gobi 1000 module branded the HP un2400, this device supports 850/2100 so vodafone extended is out.

Different model. The mini1000 is def 900MHz for the Vodafone network.
I'm awaiting a clear response from Vodafone and will post result.

johnr

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# 259161 28-Sep-2009 22:12

Aaroona:
PSLog: Thanks Aaroona. I can see from your Speedtest results why you would advise the Dual-band :-)
But, believe me, for our use we will be actively avoiding areas where there is 3G coverage. Much more likely to be trying to send an email from Lake Waikaremoana than trying to download a movie parked up in Auchland.
Thanks very much for your advice - it's bee a great help. (Now to ask the question of the salesman regarding 2G)

haha, dont worry, that actaully is a 900mhz extended test that you are looking at.

Its terrible. And it never gets any better despite our local sites being upgraded.

Your local sites are 2100

John

Aaroona

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# 259193 28-Sep-2009 23:17

johnr:
Aaroona:
PSLog: Thanks Aaroona. I can see from your Speedtest results why you would advise the Dual-band :-)
But, believe me, for our use we will be actively avoiding areas where there is 3G coverage. Much more likely to be trying to send an email from Lake Waikaremoana than trying to download a movie parked up in Auchland.
Thanks very much for your advice - it's bee a great help. (Now to ask the question of the salesman regarding 2G)

haha, dont worry, that actaully is a 900mhz extended test that you are looking at.

Its terrible. And it never gets any better despite our local sites being upgraded.

Your local sites are 2100

John

yes you're right John, but that speedtest was done out in Waiwera, which I'm pretty sure is 900Mhz

Could be wrong though.

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