EVDO or HSPDA solutions for MBA

Wait why cant the air not fit a usb cell modem?

i would just connect it to my phone via bluetooth.

Use a very small extender cable and be done with it. Why be a drama queen ?


Nearly all the 3G modems the mobile companies in the Ireland & UK are all based on the Huewaii E220 USB modem and all use usb cable to attach the dongle and will work no problem.

Tramjaw said:

i would just connect it to my phone via bluetooth.

Click to expand...

Hardly a solution if you need EVDO/HSPDA speed. Plus I don't think tethering is even permitted in the ATT TOS.

Chupa Chupa said:

Hardly a solution if you need EVDO/HSPDA speed. Plus I don't think tethering is even permitted in the ATT TOS.

Click to expand...

well, bluetooth 2.0 is pretty close to most of the 3g networks in america.. and i'm pretty sure (Link) it is permitted.

There are plenty of 3G phones that have bluetooth modem capabilities. My Samsung Blackjack is one of those. On the EVDO side with Sprint in the USA, they are very tethering friendly.

did not know that. New question,

WHY on earth would you connect that directly to a usb port? thats just asking for something to apply light pressure to it and break a usb port.

Fearless Leader said:

did not know that. New question,

WHY on earth would you connect that directly to a usb port? thats just asking for something to apply light pressure to it and break a usb port.

Click to expand...

No joke--- I lost one of the USB ports on my 12" PB when some woman next to me in an airport waiting area picked up a screaming toddler and the kid's heels side-swiped my modem sticking out of the left side.

I always use a short extender cable.

JT

Just about any USB adaptor will work, in fact most of them include a usb extension cable and I've even seen some that are designed to hang on the top of the back of the display.

Who really wants that thing hanging out the side of the laptop anyways?

All the cards work with an extension cable, which is probably a better way to go, even on a normal laptop... huge inflexible dongle coming out of your machine = asking for snap, crackle and pop. I broke the USB port on a Dell once (my cousin's) cause I left a USB flash drive in it, then forgot, and picked it up funny.

I ordered this extension from Belkin.

I'm hoping this will allow me to turn the modem (my U727) back parallel to the edge of the MBA. Check out the video of on that page of how it works with an MBP.

I think that looks better than it sticking out perpendicular anyway. I'll take a picture on the MBA if I can get my hands on an MBA!


I'm also going to see how this works in my bag. Hopefully when we travel I can just keep it in my bag or near the hotel window so my wife can share the connection as well.

I like the UM150 USB EVDO Rev A modem

I was offered a UM150 free as a replacement for my USB720 USB EVDO Rev A modem. The UM150 has a articulating USB connector. Not only does it save your USB port from being "torqued" but it allows you to have the modem sitting vertically instead of sticking out horizontally where it can get bumped.

It also comes with an chrome antenna that extends out like a car's radio antenna. I not only use it on Mac laptops, but it also works on Mac desktops.

eddietr said:

I ordered this extension from Belkin.

I'm hoping this will allow me to turn the modem (my U727) back parallel to the edge of the MBA. Check out the video of on that page of how it works with an MBP.

I think that looks better than it sticking out perpendicular anyway. I'll take a picture on the MBA if I can get my hands on an MBA!


I'm also going to see how this works in my bag. Hopefully when we travel I can just keep it in my bag or near the hotel window so my wife can share the connection as well.

Click to expand...

I have a handful of those Belkin connectors. The modem is heavy enough to cause some of them to flop around a little left and right. I still like em though.

I have a verizon USB720 EDVO card. I should have my MBA by Tuesday and will try it out. I'm certain a little USB extension cable will work.

I use an extension cable because I do not like the thing sticking out...

I do wish apple would have offered an intergrated solution for this awhile ago.

As dumb as it sounds, the main thing that keeps me away from this computer...

profiteor said:

I have a handful of those Belkin connectors. The modem is heavy enough to cause some of them to flop around a little left and right. I still like em though.

Click to expand...

Someone else told me that today, too. Which modem do you have?

eddietr said:

Someone else told me that today, too. Which modem do you have?

Click to expand...

Novatel U720 I think it is.

AT&T USBConnect 881 fits and works perfectly.

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-ph.../?device=AT&T+USBConnect+881&q_sku=sku1120017

bitty417 said:

AT&T USBConnect 881 fits and works perfectly.

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-ph.../?device=AT&T+USBConnect+881&q_sku=sku1120017

Click to expand...

Do you know how much a plan is for this and is it unlimited? Thanks

Anyone got 'Back to my Mac' working on mobile broadband?

eddietr said:

I ordered this extension from Belkin.

I'm hoping this will allow me to turn the modem (my U727) back parallel to the edge of the MBA. Check out the video of on that page of how it works with an MBP.

I think that looks better than it sticking out perpendicular anyway. I'll take a picture on the MBA if I can get my hands on an MBA!


I'm also going to see how this works in my bag. Hopefully when we travel I can just keep it in my bag or near the hotel window so my wife can share the connection as well.

Click to expand...

The router solution looks interesting. The one question I have for everyone here is whether anyone can tell me whether back to my mac works over the EVDO network. I have found the Back to my Mac is a little temperamental at best, I can use it when I'm in a 'clean' environment such as someone else's house, but it doesn't work when I'm at my client's office even though they claim they are not stopping any ports on the 'guest' network I use. Since I don't know what it is that prevents it from working I was wondering if anyone who uses mobile broadband and leopard has confirmed this feature works or not.

Thanks in advance

I have it too and it fits fine!

bitty417 said:

AT&T USBConnect 881 fits and works perfectly.

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-ph.../?device=AT&T+USBConnect+881&q_sku=sku1120017

Click to expand...

profiteor said:

Novatel U720 I think it is.

Click to expand...

I have one. We tried it on a friends MacBook Air and it worked just as good as it does on my MBP. Leopard already has support built in so you just plug in the card and click connect. The card is already programmed so no need to type in any info.