Current best 3g modem to purchase ?

S

surfs-up

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Hi

I will be looking at purchasing a new Vodacom 3g contract this week, and wonder what the current best modem is that I should select ? I need to take into consideration that it must:

1. work on both windows and mac osx
2. fastest speed for future network upgrades
3. sensitivity - be able to reach distant 3g/hsdpa networks
4. preferably - have an external antenna socket - so a high gain external yagi can be connected for when I am far from a 3g tower
5. overall reliability and performance

I currently have a slipstream 3g/hsdpa, great modem, but it does not work on mac

Basically...if you were to renew and get a new contract....what modem would you go for ?

Thanks
 
E272, if you can still find one. It's USB, can connect to an external antenna and I believe will work on mac.
 
Yotch said:
Some Asian websites claim that the E172 will be capable of HSDPA speeds of 14.4mbps and HSUPA speeds of 5.76mbps with a future firmware upgrade. Other websites claim that it uses the same chipset as the E272, the Qualcomm MSM7200. Maybe you could investigate whether or not this is the case and then decide. Just search on Google for E172 and 14.4Mbps HSDPA.

http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/674135
http://www.mobilebroadbandrocks.com/hardware/huawei-e170-e172-usb-stick
Click to expand...

I was also under the impression the 172 and 272 are hardware identical.
 
1. Why on earth do you want to get a contract? PPDBs are more reliable than Vodacom's billing. Look at all the issues around 3G billing on Hellopeter.
2. Try eBay (.com or .co.uk) or even BidorBuy for an unlocked E272, it is a great modem. Combined with an external antenna you can't go wrong!
 
Antonf said:
1. Why on earth do you want to get a contract? PPDBs are more reliable than Vodacom's billing.
Click to expand...
Convenience, loading airtime and converting to a data bundle is a bit of a hassle, and you have to time it just right.
The "free" modem, well actually you get to spread the cost of your modem over two years, and it comes with a warranty.
Vodacom have launched a new data service which is supposed to combine the convenience of a contract and the reliability of pre-paid billing.
 
Antonf said:
1. Why on earth do you want to get a contract? PPDBs are more reliable than Vodacom's billing. Look at all the issues around 3G billing on Hellopeter.
2. Try eBay (.com or .co.uk) or even BidorBuy for an unlocked E272, it is a great modem. Combined with an external antenna you can't go wrong!
Click to expand...

+1
 
I can also mention that I have found the E272 to be the best option.

I have tested it on XP SP2,3 and Vista and it works fine. It also works on Mac as far as I know.

The most important part, in my case, was the fact that it has an external connector plug that you can use with an external antenna.

It is also capable of 7.2 DPA and 1.4 UPA (HSDPA/HSUPA).
 
ginggs said:
Convenience, loading airtime and converting to a data bundle is a bit of a hassle, and you have to time it just right.
The "free" modem, well actually you get to spread the cost of your modem over two years, and it comes with a warranty.
Vodacom have launched a new data service which is supposed to combine the convenience of a contract and the reliability of pre-paid billing.
Click to expand...

You don't have to convert the data bundle. Only initial activation. Then just buy 500MB, 1GB or 2GB or whatever and Bobs your uncle!
I've got a Novatel M950D. Its not bad. You can get an adapter for an arial as well.
 
PythonFSi said:
You don't have to convert the data bundle. Only initial activation. Then just buy 500MB, 1GB or 2GB or whatever and Bobs your uncle!
Click to expand...
With pre-paid you first have to load the airtime and then only can you purchase a data bundle with said airtime.
 
Just feel like I should report back.

Thanks for all the advice, I ended up getting an E-272, and have been very happy with the way it plays on windows and also Mac OSX. I paid cash - R1699.00 from Game, and have decided to continue with pre-paid - it seems to offer more flexibility, at the same price as a contract.

Thanks again  
 
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