4G Modems, Laptops & Accessories Review
For the most recent info, see the 2011 Clear 4G Devices Review
Knowing what device you pick presupposes you’ve got an idea of what Clear 4G plan you’re gonna get.
If you do, there’s 4 types of Clear WiMAX devices to choose from:
Clear spots are great if you’re on the go and you’ve got multiple devices (or even just one device).
Particularly if you’d like to connect without having to plug anything in.
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Clear Spots |
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Full Review |
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Video Review |
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Form Factor |
Mobile Hotspot |
Mobile Hotspot |
Mobile Hotspot |
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Battery Life |
4 hours of continuous use |
3 hours of continous use |
4 hours of continuous use |
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Max Download Speed Potential |
Up to 10 Mbps |
Up to 10 Mbps |
Up to 10 Mbps |
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WiFi Range |
150 feet |
150 feet |
150 feet |
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Network Compatibility |
Clear 4G WiMAX Network |
Clear’s 4G WiMAX Network / Sprint’s 3G Network |
Clear 4G WiMAX Network |
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GPS |
No |
Yes |
No |
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Extra Storage |
No |
Yes |
No |
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Support Info |
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Notes |
Connect up to 8 devices. 4G Only. |
Connect up to 5 devices. Connects to both 3G and 4G networks. |
Basically the Clear Spot but simply designed for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The monthly plan is cheaper. |
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Price |
$99.99 to purchase. $4.99 to lease (per month). | Still trying to find you a deal… for now Clear has it here |
$224.99 to purchase. $5.99 to lease | If you don’t like either option, get it through Sprint. It’ll cost $40 on a 2 year contract and the service is identical. |
$99.99 | Still trying to find you a deal… for now Clear has it here |
Clear Spot battery lives can be much much much less than 3-4 hours if you’re running a bandwidth intensive application like bittorrent. That’ll drink your battery life like a Hummer drinks gas.
4G Modems / Broadband Cards
Most people will end up getting these since they include USB modems that plug into your laptop and traditional modems that broadcast via WiFi or connect via Ethernet. At the time of this review Clear’s got 3 modems to satiate your 4G device appetite:
CLEAR USB Broadband Cards
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Clear USB Broadband Card |
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Full Review |
Clear 4G Mobile USB (PXU 1900) |
Clear 4G USB (Series H) |
Clear 4G+ USB (Series S) |
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Video Review |
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Form Factor |
USB Broadband Card |
USB Broadband Card |
USB Broadband Card |
USB Broadband Card |
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Ways To Improve Signal? |
No |
Yes (via USB Performance Dock) |
Yes (via USB Performance Dock) |
No |
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Max Download Speed Potential |
Up to 10 Mbps |
Up to 10 Mbps |
Up to 10 Mbps |
Up to 10 Mbps |
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OS Compatibility |
Windows® XP (SP2 and Higher)
Vista® (32 & 64 bit) Windows® 7 (32 & 64 bit) Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard & Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard (32 Bit Support only)
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Windows® XP (SP2 and Higher)
Vista® (32 & 64 bit) Windows® 7 (32 & 64 bit) Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard & Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard (32 Bit Support only)
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Windows® XP (SP2 and Higher)
Vista® (32 & 64 bit) Windows® 7 (32 & 64 bit) Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard & Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
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Windows® XP SP2, Vista® (32 & 64 bit), Windows® 7 (32 & 64 bit)
Mac OS X Versions 10.5.x and 10.6.x
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Network Compatibility |
Clear 4G WiMAX Network |
Clear 4G WiMAX Network |
Clear 4G WiMAX Network |
Clear 4G WiMAX Network / Sprint 3G EVDO Rev. A Network |
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GPS |
No |
No |
No |
Yes (in 3G mode) |
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Extra Storage |
No |
No |
No |
No |
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Support Info |
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Notes |
Plug in & go without any bells or whistles. |
The original Clear modem’s successor. Works with a included performance dock for better signal |
Works with a included performance dock for better signal |
Works on Sprint’s 3G network for nationwide coverage when not in a 4G WiMAX area. Subject to a 5 GB data cap when that happens though. |
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Price |
FREE with 2yr contract
Buy for $69.99 + tax with no contract |
FREE with 2yr contract
Buy for $79.99 + tax with no contract |
FREE with 2yr contract
Buy for $79.99 + tax with no contract |
FREE with 2yr contract
Buy for $114.99 + tax with no contract |
Deciding on these modems shouldn’t be too tough. It boils down to whether or not you’re getting the 4G+ Mobile Internet plan or not. Since we beat the ins and outs of that plan to death already, no more brain cells will be lost on it here.
Clear Home Modems
Working much like your regular DSL or cable modem, Clear home modems grab the 4G signal over the airwaves and then run it to your router or computer via an Ethernet port.
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Clear Home Modem |
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Full Review |
Clear Modem – Series M |
Clear Modem – Series M |
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Video Review |
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N/A |
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Form Factor |
Home Modem |
Home Modem |
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Ways To Improve Signal? |
Better internal antenna for improved signal. |
Better internal antenna for improved signal. |
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Max Download Speed Potential |
Up to 10 Mbps |
Up to 10 Mbps |
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Compatibility |
OS: Windows®, Mac & Linux
Browser: IE 6.0 / newer, Firefox 2.0 / newer |
OS: Windows®, Mac & Linux
Browser: IE 6.0 / newer, Firefox 2.0 / newer |
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Network Compatibility |
Clear 4G WiMAX Network |
Clear 4G WiMAX Network |
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GPS |
No |
No |
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Extra Storage |
No |
No |
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Support Info |
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Notes |
Can be moved to other locations in the 4G coverage area. Plug it in and connect it to your computer or router. No cable guy necessary |
Can be moved to other locations in the 4G coverage area. Plug it in and connect it to your computer or router. No cable guy necessary |
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Price |
FREE with 2yr contract
Lease for $4.99 + tax Buy for $84.99 + tax with no contract |
FREE with 2yr contract
Lease for $4.99 + tax Buy for $84.99 + tax with no contract |
4G Laptops & Netbooks
I’m copping out on this section my friend.
Why?
There are over 21 different laptops that have built-in WiMAX available. With that number only set to increase, it wouldn’t be worth my time or yours to detail the simple fact that they can connect to the Clear 4G network. Rather, I highly recommend you read Why Give A Damn About Mobile Broadband Netbooks?
Not only will it answer that question, it’ll then direct you to where you can get not just 3G netbooks, but 4G netbooks as well.
Before we move on, it is important to note that you get a 30 day free Clear 4G trial with any laptop you get. Just be sure to pick the WiFi/WiMAX option when customizing and you’ll be good to go.
Check out what Clear 4G Laptops & Netbooks are currently available.
4G Hookup? Sign Me Up
To wrap up, CLEAR 4G WiMAX gives you an affordable option that can replace not just 3G services but your home cable connection as well for a fraction of their combined prices.
Normally I’d have some kind of get everything free crazy deal but I haven’t procured one just yet. When I do, I’ll be sure to update this section.
For now, you can pick up Clear WiMAX devices directly from their site. If you’ve already got CLEAR, take a moment and share with us your experience. It’d greatly benefit others who are thinking about getting it.
Ron Ablang says:
Thanks for doing this in-depth review. I’d like to see comments or forums on CLEAR’s service before switching from Comcast (which also powers my VOIP connection).
Amy says:
I know that the hotspot’s battery can drain faster depending on what you are doing. Will the USB modem drain my laptop’s battery the same way?
Courtney Clear Rep store# 13352 says:
The USB modem will not drain your battery on your laptop.
Junior says:
For everyone here CLEAR is the shit!!I have it in 2011 and its everywhere i go anywhere i get service and its mad cheap only $35 for UNLIMITED,its the best people believe it.
kannan says:
looks like a good 4g mifi service from reviews, the reason for my posting is for subscribers to ask the sales personon the phone if we need to give so much info to get a quote…
1. They look like a good competitor to Verizon (based on reviews).
2. They sales methodology is so horrible and bad.
3. They have no option on their website to give the cost of the MIFI Gadget , its only the price that made to LURE web visitor to call them
4. Once you call them , you are subjected to go through hell before getting any information from the person who ever comes on the line.
5. I was on the line for close to 10 mts and didnt get any quote!!!
6. He took my phone number address zip code .
7. Still i didnt get a quote
8. I got suspicious when he asked if my home was rented or own
9. Then he wanted to know of the current service provider—Which is not required ….this guys sounded like a nosy / inquisitive / curious or fishing for information on finding out which service provider i am using.
10. I didnt like this because i was already on the phone for so long and he was not interested in giving me a quote.
11. He wanted my SSN to give me a price quote and cost of the MIFI Gadget !!!
Something’s not right here and certainly shouldnt ask for SSN to give a price quote or for the cost of the mifi gadget.
Hope Clear Spot has some good explanation for this and could publish on their website why they are asking for SSN to give a price quote and how the personal information is being handled.
Courtney Clear Rep store# 13352 says:
The reasons for all of the questions is because you called rather then coming into a store to ask questions. We also used to require 2 year contracts. That is no more. We require nothing but you. If you want further information please call my store phone. 1-215-454-2132
RichardBers says:
so my question is can this clear wimax router be hacked to recieve the signal from the sprint unlimited plan? there s got to be some way to do that. I went to the sprint unlimited plan but I don t get great signal at work. ok signal at home. Clear still works for me in both locations. I was planning on doing the hotspot tethering thing but sprint makes you pay extra for that and then it s only limited. what to do. what to do
Shara says:
I want 2 know if a Clear 4g Mobile Device can b used with Android…
say…IF the CORRECT ADAPTER were to be used.
Btw, CLEAR ROCKS!!!!!!!
HaPpY NeW YeAr, Ev1!!!