Novatel X620 EV-DO ExpressCard gets real
If you've got a snazzy new laptop that includes an ExpressCard slot but no legacy PCMCIA slots, you've probably been suffering a little for your commitment to the cutting edge: there are still far more cards available that meet the old standard than the new one, especially for things like wireless communication (which, let's face it, is the main reason to still have one of these slots, unless you use it to stash extra cash). Fortunately, that shortage is rapidly being remedied, and Gearlog managed to score a hot little number: a prototype of Novatel's X620 EV-DO ExpressCard. The card, for use with Verizon's EV-DO network, should work with any Windows laptop -- and to prove it, Gearlog hooked one up to a MacBookPro running Boot Camp. Novatel expects Apple to ship Mac drivers soon as well, so if you've picked up a MacBook Pro and want a native way to cruise on down the highway, you shouldn't have to wait all that long.
Filed under: Laptops, Peripherals, Wireless
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andy @ Apr 17th 2006 9:26AM
I use bluetooth and my mobile phone to get on the internet, via GPRS. It's also possible with 3G with the right handset and modem script (easily found via google) - why would anyone need a card?
Eric @ Apr 17th 2006 9:30AM
..Because this is EV-DO, not GPRS, and some people don't like buying a cellphone to go on the internet (Assuming they use a voice chat program as a replacement of the phone).
thomas_h @ Apr 17th 2006 9:40AM
What i would like to see is an expresscard that works for mbp that reads SD cards, and maybe XD and MS too. i think its strange that i cant find any expresscards here in norway. mbp has been out for 2 months now and still no card available.
BT @ Apr 17th 2006 10:42AM
Andy - this is EVDO, it does up to 2mbps, normal is around 400-500kbps - which is faster than Bluetooth can do. So you either need to use a USB cable to a phone or have a card if you want the full speed.
thomas_h - people have them... just not for sale it seems. google expresscard media reader. Macally and YEdata have them
jared @ Apr 17th 2006 11:47AM
@1:
a) 'the right' EVDO handset tends to be a lot more expensive (and harder to share) than 'a perfectly workable' EVDO data card
b) many people have mobile data (and not mobile voice) paid for by their employer
c) all the things you don't have to wonder about when you have two devices, like: can I talk on my EVDO handset while exploiting its broadband capability? is that a network feature, a phone feature, a modem script feature, a plan feature? does it matter what city i'm in?
Manatee @ Apr 17th 2006 12:04PM
This is exactly what I've been waiting for. :-)
My MacBook Pro, with all my favorite OS X apps, and Windows apps running under Parallels virtualization software, will soon be complete.
Luro @ Apr 17th 2006 1:41PM
Good summup jared !
I have a PCCard with unlimited data and it's more cumfortable than anything.
Using a cellphone for that would first require i buy a 3G cell phone !
Then i wouldn't be able to talk with my phone at the same time ... or i'll need to have two phones ... and many other small things that make it less cumfortabe (such as using the battery of my phone ...)
Only problem with data only bundles here in France is the price when roaming ! You have to know one thing : DON'T USE IT ON ROAMING. Personnallly when i go outside of France, i don't take it !
So my questions :
- when will it be available ?
- in France ?
- Will it work with Orange France 3G SIM Cards ?
Does anyone knows about this ?
Roland
Lcd @ Apr 19th 2006 3:37AM
Definitely good news! I was worried that there wouldn't be one anytime soon, and I'm glad to see that they've come to market so quickly with an EV-DO card. My mobile browsing dreams come true!