2010 Verizon AirCard & Broadband Card Reviews
If you're looking for a Verizon AirCard or 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 connections from towers (like your cell phone) & broadcast 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 Verizon Broadband Card or Mobile Hotspot Can I Get?
Like I mentioned before, you've got 4 types of mobile broadband devices from Verizon. Here's a side-by-side comparison of each by category:
Verizon AirCard / Broadband Card |
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|
|
|
Full Review |
Verizon Wireless USB1000 Global USB Modem (coming soon) |
Verizon Wireless UMW190 Global USB Modem (coming soon) |
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Video Review |
N/A |
N/A |
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Form Factor |
USB Broadband Card |
USB Broadband Card |
USB Broadband Card |
USB Broadband Card |
External Antenna Jack |
Yes (External Antenna Conector) |
Yes (External Antenna Conector) |
Yes (External Antenna Conector) |
Yes (External Antenna Conector) |
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 10.4 or higher; Linux |
2000 / XP / Vista; Not compatible with Mac OS |
XP / Vista; Not compatible with Mac OS |
2000 / XP / Vista; Works with Mac OS |
Network Compatibility |
Verizon 3G Network (EVDO Rev. A) |
Verizon 3G Network & everyone internationally
|
Verizon 3G Network & everyone internationally
|
Verizon 3G Network & everyone internationally
|
GPS |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Extra Storage |
microSD (up to 8 GB) |
No |
No |
No |
Support Info |
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Price |
Still trying to find you a deal... for now Verizon has it here |
Still trying to find you a deal... for now Verizon has it here |
Still trying to find you a deal... for now Verizon has it here |
Verizon Mobile Hotspot |
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Full Review |
|
Video Review |
|
Interactive Demo |
(new window) |
External Antenna Jack |
No |
Max Download Speed Potential |
3.1 Mbps |
OS Compatibility |
Anything that works via WiFi (computers, phones, game consoles, etc) |
Network Compatibility |
Verizon 3G Network (EVDO Rev. A) |
GPS |
Yes |
Extra Storage |
No |
Battery Life |
4 Hours (with one device) |
Support Info |
|
Price |
Verizon ExpressCards & PC Cards
Verizon AirCard / Broadband Card |
|
Full Review |
Verizon PC770 2-in-1 Card & ExpressCard (coming soon) |
Video Review |
N/A |
Form Factor |
2-in-1 ExpressCard / PC Card (via an adapter) |
External Antenna Jack |
Yes (External Antenna Connector) |
Max Download Speed Potential |
3.1 Mbps |
OS Compatibility |
2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 7; Mac OS X 10.4.0 or higher |
Network Compatibility |
Verizon 3G Network (1xEV–DO Rev.A/0; 1xRTT; 800, 1900 MHz) |
GPS |
No |
Extra Storage |
No |
Support Info |
|
Price |
Still trying to find you a deal... for now Verizon has it here |
Retired Models
- Kyocera KPC680 Broadband ExpressCard
- Novatel Wireless USB720 USB Broadband Card
- Novatel Ovation U727 USB Broadband Card
- Novatel Merlin V740 ExpressCard
- UTStarcom PC5750 PC Broadband Card
- UTStarcom UM175 USB Broadband Card
- UM150 Broadband Card
- Novatel Merlin V740 ExpressCard
So Does Verizon Mobile Broadband Make The Cut?
Whether Verizon 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 Verizon Mobile Broadband Review:
Verizon Mobile Broadband Plans
With a variety of postpaid and prepaid plans, Verizon mobile broadband has a 3G plan for just about everyone. Just watch those data caps.
Verizon 3G speed is second in line right behind AT&T the "nation's fastest 3G network". However, they're a full 20% more reliable than 'ma bell'.
Verizon 3G Coverage ties with Sprint for the largest mobile broadband network title. One study shows the carriers being within 1 percentage point of each other's reliability.
Verizon AirCards, Broadband Cards & Mobile Hotspots
There's a wide selection of Verizon AirCards, broadband cards and mobile hotspots to choose from. While Sprint has a few more, there's more than enough here to go around.
Get a Verizon Broadband Card or Mobile Hotspot For Free
If you feel like Verizon 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 Verizon makes the cut for you, your best bet falls into one of two options:
1. See how Verizon 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.
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