2010 AT&T AirCard & Broadband Card Review

<< (Page 5 of 5: 2010 AT&T Wireless Broadband Review) >>

If you're looking for an AT&T AirCard or broadband card you've got 1 option:

USB Broadband Cards

But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Here's why:

If you've read "How To Pick The Best Broadband Card" from the Mobile Broadband Buyer's Guide, you already know that ExpressCards and PC Cards (the oldest of the bunch) are being phased out in favor of USB broadband cards.

The proof is in the pudding:

Card Types Compared
Where does it go?

In short, USB Broadband cards take up less space and are compatible with practically any computer (PC, Laptops, MacBooks & Netbooks) & operating system (Windows XP, Vista, 7, Mac OS X, Linux, etc).

Which AT&T AirCard or Broadband Card Can I Get?

There's been a bunch of shelved AT&T AirCards & broadband cards (see them here). As it stands, there are only 3 current models available (& they're all USB broadband cards).

Here's the side-by-side matchup (newest cards listed to the left):

AT&T Broadband Card
Full Review	Option USBConnect Velocity	LG USBConnect Turbo	Sierra USBConnect Lightning 305 Review	Quicksilver USBConnect Review
Video Review	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Form Factor	USB Broadband Card	USB Broadband Card	USB Broadband Card	USB Broadband Card
Interactive Guide / Tutorial	(new window)	(new window)	(new window)	(new window)
Max Download Speed Potential	7.2 Mbps	7.2 Mbps	7.2 Mbps	3.6 Mbps
OS Compatibility	2000/XP/Vista/7 & Mac OS X (no Windows NT)	2000/XP/Vista/7 & Mac OS X (no Windows NT)	2000/XP/Vista/7 & Mac OS X (no Windows NT)	2000/XP/Vista/7 & Mac OS X (no Windows NT)
Network Compatibility	HSPDA, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS & GSM Networks Worldwide	HSPDA, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS & GSM Networks Worldwide	HSPDA, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS & GSM Networks Worldwide	HSPDA, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS & GSM Networks Worldwide
GPS	Yes	No	No	No
Extra Storage	microSD (up to 32 GB)	microSD (up to 16 GB)	microSD (up to 32 GB)	microSD (up to 32 GB)
What Makes It Different?	1st AT&T Broadband Card to have GPS	Looks nice & shiny	Unique Omni-Directional Swivel USB port	Interesting design
Price	Free On The Spot	Free On The Spot	Free On The Spot	Free On The Spot

There's not a huge difference between the hardware performance capabilities of each broadband card. They all hop on AT&T 3G network, go about the same speed, work with the same operating systems and cost about the same.

For most, it'll boil down to the aesthetic look & feel of the AirCard in question.

Retired models:

So Does AT&T Mobile Broadband Make The Cut?

Question

Whether good ole' ma' bell makes the cut has just as much to do with broadband cards as it does mobile broadband plans, 3G speed & 3G coverage. In this 2010 AT&T Wireless Broadband review we've covered each & found the following:

AT&T Wireless Broadband Plans

AT&T mobile broadband plans match industry standards of a 5 GB cap for $60 and a lower tier for around half that amount. Nothing spectacular to report. Depending on your usage, 5 GB may or may not be enough.

AT&T 3G Speed

AT&T is the "nation's fastest 3G network" and independent studies back up that claim. Reliability, however, is not their strong suit.

AT&T Coverage

AT&T 3G Coverage is good for urban areas and some interstates. It works best if you live in a city. However, when outside major markets, their mobile broadband coverage comes up severely lacking in comparison to Sprint & Verizon who rank highest for the best 3G coverage.

AT&T AirCard & Broadband Card Choices

AT&T only offers USB broadband cards at this time. While refurbished PC Cards and ExpressCards are available from their website, support is being phased out & you definitely don't wanna be stuck with obsolete technology.

Get an AT&T AirCard or Broadband Card For Free

If you feel like AT&T mobile broadband makes the cut, pick up a broadband card for free and start enjoying the internet without wires.

The beauty of it is that you can test it out for a week, cancel and get a full refund (if you even paid anything) it's not working out for you.

If you decide to get mobile broadband through one of the links above, I do make some money. Just some full disclosure. Besides, every broadband card is free or puts money in your pocket. Talk about win-win.

Still Not Sure?

If you've got doubts on whether AT&T makes the cut for you, your best bet falls into one of two options:

1. See how AT&T compares to the competition in the Wireless Broadband Service Comparison

2. Learn everything you need to know before, during and after buying mobile broadband in the Mobile Broadband Buyer's Guide.

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