<< (Page 4 of 4: WiFiRents Mobile Broadband Rental Review)
WiFiRents offers 5 kinds of broadband devices:
Display “What’s The Difference Between The 3 Kinds of Broadband Cards & Mobile Hotspots”
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.
WiFiRents USB Broadband Cards & Mobile Hotspot
|
WiFi Rents Broadband Cards |
|
|
|
|
|
Full Review |
Sierra Wireless Mercury Review
|
|||
|
Video Review |
||||
|
Form Factor |
USB Broadband Card |
USB Broadband Card |
Personal Hotspot |
3G Netbook |
|
External Antenna Jack |
Yes |
No |
No |
N/A |
|
Max Download Speed Potential |
3.6 Mbps |
3.1 Mbps |
3.1 Mbps |
3.1 Mbps |
|
OS Support |
2000/XP/Vista/7 & Mac OS X (no Windows NT) |
2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 7; Mac OS X |
Anything that works via WiFi (computers, phones, game consoles, etc) |
Windows XP |
|
Network |
AT&T 3G Network (GPRS, EDGE, HSPA) |
Verizon 3G Network (EVDO Rev. A) |
Verizon 3G Network (EVDO Rev. A) |
Verizon 3G Network (EVDO Rev. A) |
|
GPS |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Extra Storage |
microSD (up to 32 GB) |
No |
No |
80 GB Hard Drive |
|
Support Info |
No |
|||
|
Price |
Included in AirCard Rental Fee |
Included in AirCard Rental Fee |
$259 | 1 Week Rental |
WiFiRents ExpressCards & PC Cards
|
WiFi Rents Broadband Cards |
|
|
|
|
|
Full Review |
Verizon 5750 PC Card |
|||
|
Video Review |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Form Factor |
ExpressCard |
ExpressCard |
PC Card (PCMCIA) |
PC Card (PCMCIA) |
|
External Antenna Jack |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Max Download Speed Potential |
3.6 Mbps |
3.1 Mbps |
3.6 Mbps |
3.1 Mbps |
|
OS Support |
2000/XP/Vista/7 & Mac OS X |
2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 7; Mac OS X |
2000 / XP / Vista / WIndows 7 & Mac OS X |
2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 7 / Mac OS |
|
Network |
AT&T 3G Network (GPRS, EDGE, HSPA) |
Verizon 3G Network (EVDO Rev. A) |
AT&T 3G Network (GPRS, EDGE, HSPA) |
Verizon 3G Network (EVDO Rev. A) |
|
GPS |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
Extra Storage |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
Support Info |
No |
No |
||
|
Price |
Included in AirCard Rental Fee |
Included in Rental Fee |
Included in AirCard Rental Fee |
Included in AirCard Rental Fee |
WiFiRents has a good selection of broadband cards in addition to mobile hotspots. Whether you have an older laptop that works with only PC Cards or simply want to keep USB slots free while using an ExpressCard, there’s device for use with AT&T or Verizon.
Not sure which provider to choose?
The quick and dirty way is to think of AT&T as having the fastest 3G network while Verizon has the most 3G coverage (and reliability). Your choice then becomes one of quality vs. speed.
Before making a final decision, check out how they stack up against the competition in the Mobile Broadband Rental Comparison.
Otherwise, you can pick up WiFiRents Broadband Cards or Mobile Hotspots here.
<<Previous Page | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Related Reviews:
2010 Wireless Broadband Comparison
2010 Prepaid Mobile Broadband Comparison