MacBook Pro 34mm ExpressCard Query

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Level 1

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MacBook Pro 34mm ExpressCard Query

Hi There,

I live in Australia and am just about to purchase a new Mac Book Pro Intel Core 2 Duo. However its essential that i am able to connect to `wireless broadband` for internet

Problem is, that the provider I want to use (Telstra BigPond) mentions the following in the `system requirements` section ( http://my.bigpond.com/internetplans/broadband/wireless/sysreq/) (** The ExpressCard/34 slot and ExpressCard/54 slot are not supported. Customers will require a PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot.)

And I see that the new mac book pro has a 34mm ExpressCard as part of its specs.

Is this a prob or is there a way around this? Will the new MacBook Pro take a `PCMCIA` card?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks,
Ben

iMac, Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Nov 8, 2006 11:21 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Nov 9, 2006 12:23 AM in response to God1

There is no PCMCIA slot on the MBP. As of now there is a limited number of EVDO devices that use the ExpressCard/34 slot. One is made for Verizon. I have no idea if any are available in your neck of the woods. Obviously your ISP does not provide one.

There are some USB devices that provide a PCMCIA slot but I don't know where you will find one nor if they work on MBPs.

If wireless broadband is essential for you, then you should be looking at a different computer or an ISP that supports an EVDO card that is available for the ExpressCard/34 slot. You can check this site for info: http://www.evdoinfo.com/.

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Answer 2

Nov 9, 2006 4:11 AM in response to God1

Hello,

either use the MERLIN XU870 ExpressCard. Vodafone should carry it, so you can buy it there without any contract to go with it. You can then use the Telstra SIM card.

Or get the USB-modem from Vodafone (also without contract):
http://www.vodafone.com.au/business/bussol/vmc/vmc_usbmodem.jsp?gs=business&hd=b ussol&st=laptop&ss=modem

Then you just need the software launch2net ( http://www.launch2net.com) which configures your Mac for the use of mobile data and includes the drivers for the ExpressCard and/or the USB-Modem.

Best regards,

Jan Fuellemann | nova media

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Answer 3

Nov 9, 2006 4:32 AM in response to God1

After reading and re reading your post, I think that something has been missed.

What is Telsra sending you?
Is it a wireless modem/router and a Wireless PCMCIA card for your laptop so that you can link up to the wireless router/modem? If this is the case then you can safeley buy the MacBook as all the technology that will allow you to connect to the wireless router/modem is already in there (so you dont need the PCMCIA card that Telstra are sending you! the word eBay comes to mind!)

If they are sending you something so that you can get access to the internet over the GSM network then you need a PCMCIA slot, which the MacBook doesnt have.

Hope that this helps

N

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Answer 4

God1 Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 9, 2006 6:12 PM in response to Neil Whitten

hi there neil,
thanks for the info. to be honest, i'm a bit out of my depth with this stuff so appreciate the advice.

basically, telstra are telling me that the will send me a:`Wireless Broadband Mobile Card`. its to connect to there new `Next G` network which apparently allows me to connect anywhere throughout Oz (which i need as i'm going travelling soon). the card "slots into your laptop to give you true wireless broadband access"

AND in the Syst requirements section, under `Network device` it says i require: "Spare USB port (Modem) or
Spare PCMCIA slot** (Mobile Card)"

however the small print mentions: ** The ExpressCard/34 slot and ExpressCard/54 slot are not supported. Customers will require a PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot.

more info here:
http://my.bigpond.com/internetplans/broadband/wireless/about/default.jsp

what do you think?

cheers,
ben

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Answer 5

Nov 23, 2006 5:35 AM in response to God1

Sorry for the lax reply, but looking at the links you posted, I have some bad news.

The Next G Card is a PCMCIA Card, and will not fit in any (citation needed) current Mac Notebook, the USB requirement is for the Wireless Broadband Modem.

The differences between the two are that the wireless card works on a 3G signal (like the mobile networks) where as the Wireless Modem works from EV-DO (what ever that is) and looking at the coverage, its mainly heavily populated areas.

https://www.bigpond.com/internet-plans/broadband/availability/default.asp

I must say though that it is really pants that Big Pond have put the requirements for both pieces of kit on the same list, causing probably lots of confusion.

http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/usb/u111.php
http://sewelldirect.com/usb-to-pcmcia-wireless-adapter.asp

However
http://www.evdoinfo.com/Tips/PC5220/Elan_U132_USB_PCMCIA_Adapter_Review20060622770/

But as a way around it (I know it's not free!)
http://www.tabletpc2.com/Review-FranklinWirelessEDVO-USBModem-CDU-550-article901 16.htm

You should be able to find out more on here
http://www.evdoforums.com/forum-20.html

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