For the most recent info, check out the 2010 AT&T AirCard & Broadband Card Review
If you’ve taken the free Mobile Broadband Buyer’s Guide, you already know that an AT&T AirCard or Broadband card can come in 3 forms: USB, ExpressCards and PC Cards. You’ll also know the nitty gritty details on why PC Cards are being phased out.
Netbooks typically don’t have ExpressCard slots. That means you’ll need a USB broadband card.Try this.
Walk into any AT&T store or look up any online retailer. You will hardly see any PC Cards available for purchase. It’s like trying to find a VCR and everyone’s selling DVDs. Sure they’re out there but not really.
Now why is that?
It was actually a mobile-broadband-reviews.com reader that found this one out. Upon going to a retail store, they explained to him that you’ll see mostly USB cards as they try to reach out to the netbook market.
Why USB for netbooks? Well, the whole concept of a netbook is a little portable laptop that does just enough (i.e. hop online or type a couple documents). As such, to conserve on space (and cost), they don’t have ExpressCard slots. In my opinion I think that’s a bummer. The form factor on ExpressCards usually beat USB as they don’t stick out from the laptop as much.
Before we find a specific AT&T AirCard, let’s run through some basic and mid-level questions about getting a AT&T Broadband Card.
A question that comes up enough to make a worthy mention is "will the type of broadband card I get affect my download speed or coverage?". In most situations, no.
Currently, all AT&T broadband cards below can handle the maximum speed available on their network. Even if you happen to be in an area that doesn’t offer 3G speed, then you will most likely get EDGE or dialup speed.
If you do live in a rural area check our mobile broadband fringe area solutions.
‘Flip-up antennas are said to provide better coverage. The verdict’s still out on this one.The only potential performance difference between AT&T ExpressCards and USB broadband cards is coverage (or reception to be more accurate). Some AT&T ExpressCards come with and expandable ‘flip-up’ antenna for ‘better reception’. Do they actually work better? I have not personally tested it myself but it is a fact that external antennas do help reception.
While there are not any significant performance differences, USB broadband cards tend to one or more features than ExpressCards. Typically, newer cards come with a microSD expansion slot that can turn your broadband card into a flash/thumb drive (great for those who like combo devices).
Enough lecturing for now, let’s find an AT&T AirCard or Broadband Card:
(Click on any card for the full review)
AT&T USB Broadband Cards
| AT&T Broadband Card | Compatibility | GPS | Extra Storage | Current Price |
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2000/XP/Vista Mac OS X/Panther/Leopard/Tiger | No | microSD (up to 32 GB) | Check Price |
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Sierra Wireless Mercury USB AirCard
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2000/XP/Vista /Mac OS X | No | microSD | Check Price |
Retired models:
If you’d like to get AT&T, here’s where you can get some good AT&T AirCard deals. We only recommend the best. Also, as I explain in my ethical bribe, it helps the site pay our costs so we can keep providing great content for you.
If you haven’t already, definitely check out the review on AT&T mobile broadband speed as well as the AT&T coverage if you’re serious about getting a broadband card. It’s definite must on your checklist. For now, let’s see what AT&T customer service is like.
At&t has the worst customer service representatives in the planet! it’s amazing how un-professional this people are, they keep you waiting for hours, and they treat customers very rudely, only to solve a simple phone issue! And if that wasn’t enough AT&T’s Customer Service call center are located in San Jose Costa Rica! Exactly in Moravia (I’ve done my research) . Just Great ….a bunch of people who’s english is incomprehensible and spelling is worst! Come on guys !! do not be fooled by this multi millionaire company. Apart from all this crap , AT&T’s signal in United States is incredibly atrocious and painfully inefficient. Save yourselves a lot of trouble , expensive and hidden fees and switch to VERIZON , they do know how to get things done !