Which modem for my Mac ?

[dunkyd]

Need to buy a modem/contract for emails on my Mac laptop during Zuma hour ? maybe 10 emails an hour for 4 hours when load shedded….. Little bit of product surfing.
No gaming or videos at all.
1GB should do but which contract ? E3531, E5220 E392 ???WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
Thanks

…or should I just tether my S3 to the mac and get FNB data top up? Phone on a business contract with just 100Mb data.

 

[Lord Flacko]

ZTE branded modems don't work with OS X Yosemite. Any Huawei modem should work.

 

[D tj]

Huawei E5776 with Telkom LTE is what I'm using, and happy as it has a larger battery than some of the other Huawei models...check battery specs> mA

 

[dunkyd]

ZTE branded modems don't work with OS X Yosemite. Any Huawei modem should work.

Thanks. Have not upgraded to Yos yet. Kids tell me to wait. Are those E numbers Huawei ? What do different numbers mean?

 

[Hamish McPanji]

Thanks. Have not upgraded to Yos yet. Kids tell me to wait. Are those E numbers Huawei ? What do different numbers mean?

I would suggest a mifi device like a huawei e5331.

Advantages :

1. Has its own battery, so will run without power...think loadshedding. If its battery goes flat, you can charge it on your laptop
2. Uses WiFi, so no compatibility
3. Can be moved to location with best signal strength, so you don't have to relocate your working area.
4. Cost difference on contract is not huge considering the convenience.
5. WiFi hotspot in your car!!!!

Disadvantages:

1. Once you get used to it you won't be able to live without it.

 

[Rickster]

Why not a 3g ADSL router with a 12V battery.

 

[slvR]

Why not a 3g ADSL router with a 12V battery.

because carrying rocks with your hands when you could use a backpack is easier

 

[dunkyd]

Thanks guys . So you've worked out that I'm a bit slow..
That E5331 seems the way to go ?
Buy it where?
Get contract fron MTN .Say 2GB @ R99 (Use own device)?
Leave it between our 2 Mac laptops and connect both at the same time? Hers for FB, mine for emails?
Ta

 

[bwana]

Need to buy a modem/contract for emails on my Mac laptop during Zuma hour ? maybe 10 emails an hour for 4 hours when load shedded….. Little bit of product surfing.
No gaming or videos at all.
1GB should do but which contract ? E3531, E5220 E392 ???WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
Thanks

…or should I just tether my S3 to the mac and get FNB data top up? Phone on a business contract with just 100Mb data.

Why not get a UPS for your ADSL modem and stick with that?

 

[Hamish McPanji]

Thanks guys . So you've worked out that I'm a bit slow..
That E5331 seems the way to go ?
Buy it where?
Get contract fron MTN .Say 2GB @ R99 (Use own device)?
Leave it between our 2 Mac laptops and connect both at the same time? Hers for FB, mine for emails?
Ta

Telkom Mobile have some deals on some mifi as well. And you can always try axxess and afrihost that also operate on the Mtn network and sell/contract it too

 

[ponder]

Why not get a UPS for your ADSL modem and stick with that?

That would be the cheapest & simplest solution, people don't like that

 

[Hamish McPanji]

That would be the cheapest & simplest solution, people don't like that

Because a lot of exchanges go down shortly after a power cut.

 

[dunkyd]

Problem seems to where to get the modem……..Cell companies have no stock and looking on Price check all are online purchases.

Where, near Krugersdorp can I walk in and buy it ? Then walk to MTN and get the 1Gb simcard.

 

[dunkyd]

Because a lot of exchanges go down shortly after a power cut.

Mine takes sometimes 30 minutes to get back up.

 

[bwana]

Mine takes sometimes 30 minutes to get back up.

Have a look at your modem's logs - you might find that delay is due to authentication issues… which wouldn't be a problem if you never disconnected. Mine took 27 minutes the other day so now it's living on a [makeshift] UPS on blackout days.

 

[dunkyd]

Thanks all. Bought an E5330 from Afrihost now must decide where to buy data. Via my FNB account when needed or a 500 mb deal with the main players.....I have 2 sims ricaed doing nothing mtn and vc ? Any difference between them?

 

[Hamish McPanji]

Thanks all. Bought an E5330 from Afrihost now must decide where to buy data. Via my FNB account when needed or a 500 mb deal with the main players.....I have 2 sims ricaed doing nothing mtn and vc ? Any difference between them?

You should use Afrihost or Axxess. They both use MTN and are month to month

 

[dunkyd]

You should use Afrihost or Axxess. They both use MTN and are month to month

Good tip. Let me investigate.

 

[dunkyd]

Thanks all. Used my Vodacom sim. Bought data through my FNB a/c. All worked seamlessly !!! Both laptops and 3 phones connected without any hassles. Amazing speed of downloads. Setup usage shortcut on laptop. Damn happy that there were no snags at all.
Does happy dance and pretends to be an expert……..
Must say Afrihost were tops……bought Monday night and was delivered Wednesday early morning !!
Thanks all !!