Mobile Broadband Cards

uodux09,

There are a few ways to get mobile broadband using a Macbook Pro. First, there are Expresscard-34 "connection cards" that are provided for use with the various cell phone service providers. Also, there are phones and "smart devices" that will operate as a broadband modem. Those that also have Bluetooth connectivity can be "paired" with your Macbook Pro wirelessly, then used to connect to the internet. This type of connection tends to be a bit slower than the standard USB connection method, however.

Your first step should be to investigate the pros and cons of the various service providers in your area, pick the one that will provide the best connections and bandwidth for you, then decide which type of phone or card will best suit your needs.

The wireless (Wi-Fi) cards in all Macs, while called "Airport" by Apple, use the standard 802.11x protocol. In other words, they will find and connect to any wireless routers.

Scott

I have a Verizon Wireless broadband card that I've had great success with. I have the v640 but there is a newer card out now that supports Rev. A which is faster. Using the Express/34 slot is a snap and I can even use it with Parallels if needed. Hope this helps.

For the most information on mobile broadband, including Macs, check out http://www.evdoinfo.com/

I've been using the HSDPA Express Card from Cingular and love it. The one that works best with Windows and Mac (thinking of Bootcamp) is the Option GT Max 3.6 Express. I have been impressed with the speed and coverage of the broadband connection with Cingular.

Best of Luck.