For the most recent info, see the 2011 Sprint 4G Broadband Card & Mobile Hotspot Review.
<< (Page 5 of 5: 2010 Sprint Mobile Broadband Review)
If you’re looking for a Sprint broadband card or you’ve got 4 options:
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:
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).
Where Do Mobile Hotspots Come In?
Mobile hotspots (also called personal hotspots) are the Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Porsches of broadband devices. They’re new, they’re hot, they’re slick and do a bunch of things you Honda Accord won’t do.
Personal hotspots receive mobile broadband connection from towers (like your cell phone) but then broadcasts it via WiFi like a wireless router.
In doing so, suddenly you no longer worry about compatibility and support for netbooks, laptops, linux, windows or Mac. Instead, you’re figuring out how you can connect your WiFi enabled phone, printer, iTouch, camera and even digital photo frames. To stack the cool even more, you might just have GPS thrown in for good measure.
Which Sprint Broadband Card or Mobile Hotspot Can I Get?
Like I mentioned before, you’ve got 4 types of mobile broadband devices from Sprint. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of each by category:
| Sprint Broadband Card |  |
 |
 |
 |
| Full Review | Sierra Wireless 598U Broadband Card | Novatel Ovation U760 USB Broadband Card | U301 3G/4G Modem | U300 3G/4G Modem (coming soon) |
| Video Review | N/A | N/A | ||
| Form Factor | USB Broadband Card | USB Broadband Card | USB Broadband Card | USB Broadband Card |
| External Antenna Jack | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Max Download Speed Potential | 3.1 Mbps | 3.1 Mbps | 3.1 Mbps | 3.1 Mbps |
| OS Compatibility | 2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 7; Mac OS X; Linux | 2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 7; Mac OS X; Linux | XP / Vista / Windows 7. Mac OS X 10.4, 10.5 & 10.6. | 2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 7 (32-bit editons). Incompatible with Mac OS systems |
| Network Compatibility | Sprint 3G Network (EVDO Rev. A) | Sprint 3G Network (EVDO Rev. A) | Sprint 3G / 4G Network (EVDO Rev. A / WiMAX) | Sprint 3G / 4G Network (EVDO Rev. A / WiMAX) |
| GPS | Yes | Yes | Yes (in 3G mode) | Yes (in 3G mode) |
| Extra Storage | microSD (up to 32 GB) | microSD (up to 16 GB) | No | No |
| Support Info | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Free On The Spot | Free On The Spot | Free On The Spot | Still trying to find you a deal… for now Sprint has it here |
| Sprint Mobile Hotspot |  |
 |
| Full Review | Sprint MiFi 2200 | Sprint Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot |
| Video Review | ||
| Form Factor | Personal Hotspot | Personal Hotspot |
| External Antenna Jack | No | No |
| Max Download Speed Potential | 3.1 Mbps | Up to 10 Mbps via WiMAX / Up to 3.1 Mbps via 3G |
| OS Compatibility | Anything that works via WiFi (computers, phones, game consoles, etc) | Anything that works via WiFi (computers, phones, game consoles, etc) |
| Network Compatibility | Sprint 3G Network (EVDO Rev. A) | Sprint 3G / 4G Network (EVDO Rev. A / WiMAX) |
| GPS | Yes | Yes (when in 3G mode) |
| Extra Storage | No | microSD (up to 16 GB) & is shared via WiFi with any connected device |
| Battery Life | 4 Hours (with one device) | 3 Hours (36 Hours on Standby) |
| Support Info | No | Yes |
| Price | Free On The Spot | $40 on the spot |
| Sprint Broadband Card |  |
 |
 |
| Full Review | Sierra Wireless AirCard 402 | Novatel Merlin C777 | Novatel S720 PC Broadband Card |
| Video Review | |||
| Form Factor | 2-in-1 ExpressCard / PC Card (via an adapter) | 2-in-1 ExpressCard / PC Card (via an adapter) | PC Card (PCMCIA) |
| External Antenna Jack | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Download Speed Potential | 3.1 Mbps | 3.1 Mbps | 3.1 Mbps |
| OS Compatibility | 2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 7; Mac OS X; Linux | 2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 7; Mac OS X | 2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 7; Mac OS X |
| Network Compatibility | Sprint 3G Network (EVDO Rev. A) | Sprint 3G Network (EVDO Rev. A) | Sprint 3G Network (EVDO Rev. A) |
| GPS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Extra Storage | No | No | No |
| Support Info | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Free On The Spot | Still trying to find you a deal… for now Sprint has it here | Free On The Spot |
Retired Models:
- Novatel Ovation U727 USB Broadband Card
- Sierra Wireless AC597E ExpressCard
- Novatel EX720 ExpressCard
- Franklin Wireless U680 USB Broadband Card
- Sierra Wireless Compass 597 USB AirCard
So Does Sprint Mobile Broadband Make The Cut?
Whether Sprint makes the cut has just as much to do with broadband cards as it does mobile broadband plans, 3G speed & 3G coverage. Here’s a brief recap of what we’ve covered in this 2010 Sprint Mobile Broadband Review:
While there are 2 listed Sprint plans, only 1 makes sense. For $60 you can get a 5 GB of 3G service and unlimited 4G service. If you’re in the right coverage area, it could replace your cable, DSL or satellite broadband.
Sprint mobile broadband’s advertised 3G & 4G speeds hold up in multiple independent tests. However, not everyone’s happy.
Sprint coverage for its 3G network got ranked as the most reliable. Unfortunately, 4G coverage is still scattered. It all boils down to what’s available in your backyard.
Sprint Broadband Cards & Personal Hotspots
Sprint has the widest selection of 3G / 4G broadband cards and mobile hotspots to choose from. Which you choose will have a lot more to do with the functionality you’re trying to get out of it.
Get a Sprint Broadband Card or Mobile Hotspot For Free
If you feel like Sprint 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 Sprint makes the cut for you, your best bet falls into one of two options:
1. See how Sprint mobile broadband 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.
<<PREVIOUS PAGE | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
