New laptop, Internet aircard don't fit!

[nrvsreck]

I bought a new laptop to take on the road that has the new Expresscard slot instead of the old Type 2. I wanted to sign up for the unlimited Internet service with Cingular, my cell provider, but was told Cingular's aircards (Sierra 875) are Type 2 only. I did a little research, but there doesn't seem to be an inexpensive solution to make the Type 2 work with the Express thingy. Am I just stuck with Wi-Fi until Sierra makes an Express version of their card or is there something else out there I can try? Perhaps another 'net provider? Thanks.

[hstern]

here is a little info...

http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/...ic.php?t=23811

[btinc]

There is a adapter out there that will work, there has been some issues with them. Verizon has a express card out right now, Sprint has a express card that will come out this month, and they have U720 that is a usb modem device that works very well.

[vavega]

either wait for cingular to come out with one as referenced here or switch to verizon and buy a v640 and a verizon plan. check the coverage map carefully!

[merrick4]

A bit off topic but once you get the aircard running, you might have problems with the Cingular Communication manager.The connection was freezing up and other problems. I called up and they had me download something called 3G Watcher directly from Sierra's website. They walked me through configuring it and it works much much better than Cingular's communication manager (3G watcher will be used instead of Communication manager)

[nrvsreck]

That Verizon plan looks pretty good. Only problem is paying more since I don't have a cell plan with them. That other thingy in the PC Magazine article looks promising, but is way too expensive. Saw it listed on one site for $400! :shock:

The adapters are a piece of junk. I have one. I ended up going with Verizon and the Express card and it works awesome.

[nrvsreck]

The adapters are a piece of junk. I have one. I ended up going with Verizon and the Express card and it works awesome.

Yeah, I've read that the adaptors tend to tie up the USB bus so much that it freezes the whole system while it's trying to get it's [****] straightened out. I'll probably just go with Verizon.

[btinc]

The sprint modem is a true usb modem which has been great, not a adapter.

[Sealord]

Wifi wasn't embedded in your new laptop from the get-go? BOL

[Trubbledog]

For what it's worth, Mickey D's has wi-fi. I, however know nothing about it.

Built in WIFI only works when there is a local transmitter in the area like a truckstop. If you want to be be connected to the internet wherever you are you need a special card like Verizon or Sprint. It uses cell phone technology to connect to the net.

[nrvsreck]

Wifi wasn't embedded in your new laptop from the get-go? BOL

Huh? Yes, it has Wi-Fi, but I don't want to be limited to Wi-Fi hotspots. Often, I'm out in no-man's land and want to be able to connect. Even at dial-up speeds since mostly I just browse forums and such.

[Catman]

I thought if you connected with a wi-fi spot it was free or pretty darn cheap, whereas if you connect with a cell fone out in the middle of nowhere, you paid cell fone rates, which can get pretty high? Is this not true? I need to get a new cell fone and laptop and there are soooo many choices to think about, it makes me dizzy.
Any suggestions?

[Skywalker]

There are laptops out there that still take the type 2 PCMCIA wireless card.

I recently bought a Compaq V2000 and Acer makes several models that still use the type 2 card.

I have the T-Mobile EDGE/GPRS/Wi-Fi enabled Sony/Erricson GC89 card which is a type 2....so I needed to get a laptop that would fit the card. My old laptop bit the dust, and the repair cost was almost as much as this new laptop... :shock:

Oddly enough I found the Compaq V2000 at a Super Wal-mart and they also had the Acers in stock at competitive prices. My V2000 is technically "obsolete" since it was manufactured last June, and I got their last one in that store....but I also got an extra 10% knocked off the price.

One other poster mentioned getting the "Unlimited" plan for an aircard. He was 100% correct on that. I had a friend who went against that advice and when she got her first bill....it was about $400.00. She and her husband thoroughly freaked out..... :? :?

My T-Mobile when its on EDGE/GPRS isn't the fastest, but its faster than dial-up, and I have free access to all of their hotspots...and the service is $49.99 a month unlimited usage. I've had their service for several years now, and can't complain.

Ok, here's how it works.

My laptop has a built in wifi card and I have a verizon wireless internet plug in card. The built in wifi card can get me on the net when I'm close to someone transmitting a signal like a truck stop but you have to pay like $4.95 for a 24 hour period unless you can find someone with an open signal like Starbucks but that doesn't happen to often when your in a truck. Right now at home there are 5 open networks around me that I could use. Most are peoples homes that don't know any better and have no security.

I use Verizon wireless at a cost of $89 per month. I can get on the net pretty much anyplace. I've been out in the middle of nowhere and I get a signal.

Verizon has 2 plans. National and Broadband. National is like $59 and Broadband is $89. If your National your download speed at best is no more than 150kps. If your broadband the sky is the limit if your in a hotspot like I am at home. If I get out of that area I revert to National but at least I still get on. Right now I'm at home and a little over 2mps download speed.

Hope this helps a little.

[Rev.Vassago]

I use Verizon wireless at a cost of $89 per month.

:shock:


I've got Broadband through Verizon, and it is only costing me $59 a month.

[devildice]

I use Verizon wireless at a cost of $89 per month.

:shock:


I've got Broadband through Verizon, and it is only costing me $59 a month.

Same here, only $59 a month for unlimited

[Catman]

OK, sounds good, thanks! Understand it a lot better now.
I got Cingular, so I'll see what they got. I'll probably go broadband, so I can use GPS and 'streets and maps' type stuff too. later...

[Jackrabbit379]

I got Cingular, so I'll see what they got. I'll probably go broadband, so I can use GPS and 'streets and maps' type stuff too. later...

I use Cingular for my cell phone. I have had AT&T for my cell phone,ever since I got my phone,and then switched to Cingular. Cingular stunk so bad at first,but now,I dont have a lick of trouble. I dont know anything about wireless internet service. Never had any type of wireless internet service,so I dont know who is best for that. I work for SYSCO,and they have a national account with Sprint. I would get discounts on Sprint,since I work for them,but I wouldnt own a Sprint phone if it saved my life. I hear that Sprint has the best wireless internet service,though. Our sales guys use Sprint for their lap tops that they use for work. The only thing that I have heard about wireless internet,is that I talked to one of our sales guys that had Cingular for his lap top. He told me that his Cingular never lost a connection,but compared to the Sprint,it was slower than Christmas. I also heard that Verizon is wonderful,too.