USB or Express card ?

[Luke7777]

In completely unknown waters here, but I need some pointers. Wife wants to go mobile, has decided to go Vodacom, and asked me which of the 2 (USB or Express card) she should get. Seeing the blank look on my face, she asked "Why don't you go ask that group you always talk about ?" Any pros / cons will be appreciated, Usage will be mainly Jhb based

I don't have the strength to wade thru the thousands of posts just to make up my own mind

 

[ic]

If your wife doesn't mind an upload speed of 384kbits/s, then the Huawei E220 HSDPA USB modem will be fine and the download speed can be firmware upgraded to 7.2Mbits/s, but not the upload speed.

If your wife is willing to wait a few months, the Huawei E272 HSUPA USB will be available, which should have a potential upload speed of ~2Mbits/s and download speed of 7.2Mbits/s.

Otherwise, if her notebook has an Express Card slot, then an Express Card HSUPA modem should be fine, there are also ExpressCard->PCMCIA adapters if her notebook only has PCMCIA.

 

[Luke7777]

OK. so either USB modems can do 7.2 down. Not too fussed about upload, and as time is important, the E220 wins.

Laptop has an Express slot (hence my thread topic ) , so any reason to go for card over usb ?

 

[ic]

OK. so either USB modems can do 7.2 down. Not too fussed about upload, and as time is important, the E220 wins.

Laptop has an Express slot (hence my thread topic ) , so any reason to go for card over usb ?

The E220 doesn't have a connector for a fixed external outdoors antenna, but if the modem is going to be used on the move, then an external antenna is not really important, besides coverage in & around Jhb as well as many other parts of the country is generally very good.

It is still possible to get an antenna coupling device for the E220 from Poynting, it all depends on coverage and signal strength & signal quality in the areas where the modem would be used.

Probably an idea to rent an E220 for a few days to get an idea as to what coverage is like, and obviously check Vodacom's 3G coverage map as well.

 

[AirWolf]

A cheapie signal strength improvement option on the E220 is a longer usb cable so you can get the modem higher up

 

[Yotch]

The Chinese may have an interesting option for you!

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Mac-PC-Lapto...oryZ3708QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PC-Mac-USB-2...ihZ010QQcategoryZ3710QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

If this device is compatible you could either use the ExpressCard in a laptop or as a USB device and the ExpressCard would presumably also have an external aerial connector. If you're interested just e-mail the seller and ask whether your particular ExpressCard would be compatible or not. Delivery from HK usually only takes a few days.

Information about compatibility for a similar device
http://www.synchrotech.com/product-usb/usb20_to_usb20_expresscards_host_adapter.html
Something similar for sale on myADSL
http://mybroadband.co.za/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=3110
Option GT Max 3.6 ExpressCard on Bidorbuy
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/jsp/item/Item.jsp?Trade_TradeId=6475843