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Let’s cut to the chase. You’re interested in the Huawei EC228 or you wouldn’t be here. Most likely, you’ve got some questions like:
- Will I have good coverage where I am and when I travel?
- What does it look like?
- Is it going to be fast enough for my web browsing and download needs?
- How does it work?
- Will it work with my computer without major hassles?
- Where can I get the best deal on this?
I understand where you’re coming from. I had these questions too when I shopped for my broadband card. I’m gonna cover these and other insider information. After you’re armed to the teeth, you’ll know if this is the card for you.
If I don’t cover all the bases, don’t get the card from here. Instead, do me a favor. Drop me a line at the end of the page and let me know why you didn’t. That way I can make it better.
Let’s get to it.
Contents
- Summary
- Details
- Image Gallery
- Manufacturer's Description
- Manual
- Product Specifications
- Where To Get It
1. Summary
What’s Good:
Got a white laptop? Then you just found a new friend
named Huawei EC228 that plays
nice with Macs and PCs. Without the USB connection, its about the size of a
credit card.
It's also up-to-date on the latest speeds (EVDO Rev A.)
Also, at the
price we found it for, it's a ridiculous give-away…seriously.
What’s Bad:
Even with the 3 USB connections you get, it may not end up working out for
confined spaces. An ExpressCard or
PC Card may work out better as it inserts quite snug
into the laptop.
Price:
Out of Production
Provider:
Reviewed on: 12/01/08
Bottom-Line:
The Huawei EC228 is a good USB card if that's what you're looking for.
If you have an ExpressCard or PC Card slot, check out another card instead. The form factor is better. Performance wise though, there's not much of
a difference. It'll treat you right, Mac and PC alike.
2.
At a glance,
the Huawei EC228 looks like a one button Apple mouse. When you whip
out the USB connection, it resembles it even more.
Yeah, I know it's an broadband card but its hard to ignore that. It's a pretty
distinct look that could look refined almost with the right laptop.
For some, it'd stick out like a black eye.
Like most USB cards, they play nice with Windows® XP, Vista (32 and 64 bit), Mac OS X 10.4 and higher.
It's on Alltel's network so it's EVDO based technology. Revision A to be exact
for download speeds up to 3.1 Mbps. In the past you may not have gotten that
fast but Alltel is stepping their
game up to meet Verizon merger
standards.
On the box they tell you it comes with 3 connectors. It's simply 3 different USB connections for your convenience. If you
check out the image gallery you'll see what I'm talking about.
One makes it look like a flash drive. The second connection extends it more like
a mouse for increased flexibility. That will probably come in handy when trying to reach USB slots at
the back of your laptop. Better yet, the luxurious room you get in a packed
airport before you're flight. The third is just a longer version of the second.
Coverage
If you’re interested in what coverage will look like for the Huawei EC228, then check out Alltel’s Wireless Broadband Coverage for the full details:
Alltel’s coverage area is
limited by itself. However, in the places they do have coverage, it’s good and will be
getting better with their EVDO Revision A upgrades being made. In addition to this, they’re merging with Verizon and have a current roaming agreement with Sprint.
Official System Requirements
| Item | Required Configuration |
| USB interface | USB 2.0 Full Speed |
| CPU | 866 MHz Pentium or above |
| Memory | 128 MB or above |
| Free space on the hard disk | 100 MB or above |
| Operating system | Windows XP, Windows 2000 or Window Vista |
| Screen resolution | 1024 X 768 is recommended |
You’d be really hard pressed to find a computer that didn’t meet the above requirements. Unless you’ve got a PC that still has one of those Y2K compliant stickers, you should be good.
Installing the Huawei EC228 on Windows XP
Note: Make sure your computer is on before connecting the Huawei EC228. Otherwise, the normal installation of the EC228 can be affected.
1. Plug the mini-universal series bus (USB) connector into the EC228.
2. Plug the connectors of the main USB data cable and the auxiliary USB data cable into the USB interfaces of the computer.
3. Connect the EC228 with the computer.
4. The OS auto detects and recognizes new hardware and starts the installation wizard.
Note: If the auto-run program does not respond, go to the driver path. Find and double-click the AutoRun.exe, and then the program will run.
5. Follow the prompts of the installation wizard.
6. After the program is installed, the shortcut icon for management program is displayed on the desktop.
Removing the EC228
Follow these steps strictly to remove the Huawei EC228 from your PC. Otherwise, your system may be damaged, even if it is in the standby mode.
Note: Before removing the EC228, you need to log out of the management program first.
- Double-click The Safely Remove Hardware interface is displayed.
- Select Huawei Device (actual name based on the name displayed in this menu – "Huawei Mobile Connect – 3G Modem" for example) in the Hardware devices list, and click Stop. The "Stop a Hardware device" interface is displayed.
- Click OK.
- When the Safe To Remove Hardware prompt is displayed, click OK and remove the EC228.
The Huawei EC228 offers high speed Wireless Internet access on the Alltel nationwide EVDO data network. The Huawei EC228 supports wireless downloading at a speed as fast as 3.1 Mbps and uploading at speeds as high as 1.8 Mbps. It is a best choice for business users to access the Internet any time from anywhere within the Alltel network. The Huawei EC228 offers higher speed, more reliable performance and easier operation – all to improve the user experience.
5. Manual
Alltel
From the Manufacturer
- Dimensions – 4.7 in x 2.1 in x 0.4 in
- Weight – 0.8 oz
- Data Download Speed – EV-DO rev A (Up to 3.1 Mbps Down/1.8 Mbps Up),
EV-DO rev 0 (2.4 Mbps Down/153 Kbps Up), 1xRTT
- Download Protocol – CDMA 800, 1900
- Compatible Carrier – Alltel
- Network Compatibility – CDMA 800, 1900
- 3G Data Speeds – Yes
There are two kinds of people that visit this page.
The 1st person that knows that this is the card they want and they’re doing their due diligence. If that’s you, I hope I’ve done that for you. If I have, then you can get Alltel to pay you $100 to take it from them (at the
time of this review). Isn't that grand? Here's
where you can find that steal Huawei EC228 deal.
If I haven’t covered everything, let me know what’s missing.
The 2nd person that reads this page is considering this card but has not made up their mind yet. If that’s you, there are two things you need to do:
I. Sign up for the free "Mobile Broadband Buyer’s Guide"
It’s like your pre-marital counselor and prenuptial agreement all in one. It’ll save you from any future heartache and checkbook punches that might come your way.
It’s been designed to explain in four short, detailed lessons what most people don’t know about Mobile Broadband. It’s a must read before signing a 2 year contract.
II. Check out the Broadband Card Comparison
You’ll get a good feel for what to look for in a Broadband Card. It’s designed to compliment the Wireless Broadband Exposed course so that you’ve got the right card and the right plan at the right price without any fear.
Related Reading:
Mobile Broadband Buyer’s Guide (The Free Online E-Course)
The Top 4 Places
to Get An Aircard
2010 Broadband Card Comparison
Wireless Broadband Service Comparison
What is Mobile Broadband? Tech Talk Demystified
Wireless Broadband – AT&T Tops the Chart
Need more info? Check out the rest of the mobile broadband reviews.