Novatel U727 Aircard Review

This card no longer available. Try checking out other broadband card reviews.

Let’s cut through the flubber.

You’re interested in the Novatel U727 or you wouldn’t be here.

Most likely, you’ve got some questions like:

Will I have excellent coverage where I am and when I travel?
How does it look like?
Will it be fast enough for sufing the web and my downloading?
How does it work?
Will it work with my laptop without major hassles?
Who’s got the best deal?

I understand where you’re coming from. These questions are completely normal for anyone shopping to get a broadband card. We’ll cover those bases and other insider information here. 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. 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

What’s Good:
The Novatel U727 has a built in microSD slot for extra flash drive-like storage. It also has built-in GPS for Sprint’s location based services. (Like google mapping the nearest Starbucks or Gas Station).

What’s Bad:
The USB drive doesn’t swivel like other USB aircards. Recipe for disaster and damage. Big minus.

Price:
Out of Production

Provider:

Reviewed on: 12/04/08

Bottom-Line:

While this card has some nifty features, you could get them in a friendlier format. Unless you’re particular to the Novatel U727 check out the Franklin U680. You’ll get the same features without the spear sticking out the side of your laptop.

As you’ve probably gathered by now, form factor is important (biased opinion of a guy whose damaged his USB aircard). The Novatel U727 sticks out horizontally in the USB drive you plug it into. A friend actually told me that people would ask him if he had a terabyte of flash drive storage. He’d always get a kick out of it and then explain it was an aircard, not a thumb drive (hand drive in this case).

It comes with an installation CD so you can use the Sprint Connection manager to hop online. You could go through the tedious work of setting it up yourself without the CD but I advise against it. Save yourself the trouble and keep the CD in the event you need to reinstall stuff on your computer. Take it from someone who’s ran their computer into the ground 7 times.

Also packed into this guy here is EVDO Rev. A technology for speeds up to 3.1 Mbps on the downlink and 1.8 on the uplink. I’ve personally never gotten 1.8 uploading and I don’t know anyone who has. Typical speeds look like this.

It is important to mention that the speed you get is directly tied to the coverage in your area.

Quote The Sprint coverage area for mobile broadband is the largest. With good signal on most interstates, it’s definitely a staple for road warriors.

For the full details, definitely check out the review on Sprint Mobile Broadband Coverage.
For now, let’s get back to some nifty features. Our friend the Novatel U727 has a microSD slot.

U727 microSD card

It is recommended that you completely exit the Sprint Mobile Broadband software and remove the device from your computer before inserting the microSD card. You’ll avoid any funny business.

More shots of the Novatel U727 below:
3.

Novatel Ovation U727 USB Broadband Card

The Novatel U727 PC/Mac USB Broadband Card for Sprint lets you connect your PC, Mac or Linux machine to the Internet nationwide on the Sprint PCS network. With data download speed bursts to 3.1 Mbps and upload speed bursts to 1.8 Mbps, you can get more done faster. And, the Novatel Ovation U727 broadband card offers a first for Sprint – a built in microSD memory card slot for portable file storage! Plus, there’s a built-in GPS receiver for your location-based services software.

5.
From the Manufacturer

Download Manual in PDF

6.
From the Manufacturer

Dimensions – 2.8 in x 1.0 in x 0.5 in
Weight – 1.5 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
Compatible Carrier – Sprint PCS
Network Compatibility – CDMA 800, 1900
3G Data Speeds – Yes
Expandable Memory Capacity – Yes, microSD Card Format Slot Turns Broadband Card Into A USB Thumb Drive

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 Sprint will pay you $50 to get the Novatel U727.

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.

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.

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