Dell throws down the Sprint EV-DO love
By Cyrus Farivar 
posted Nov 20th 2006 8:16PM
posted Nov 20th 2006 8:16PM
Hooo boy, there's nothing we love more than faster internet access available everywhere we go. Dell's just announced a new deal with Sprint to provide integrated EV-DO access on its D420, D620 (pictured), D820, XPS M1210 and M65 lappies. (Of course, Dell has offered EV-DO and HSDPA on the D620 and D820 previously, but this brings it to a few more models.) Alternatively, you can buy a Dell Wireless 5700-S internal mini-card for your existing lappie for $180 (whether Dell will also offer an ExpressCard version for Sprint remains to be seen) -- but in either case, you'll have to pay $60 per month for a two-year unlimited data access contract (if you have a voice plan, otherwise it's $80 a month). This'll give us yet another reason to consider forking over the coinage for serious connectivity; that EDGE stuff is getting real old.
My M1210 is equiped with ED-VO from verizon. Is there a signifantly difference in speed from Verizon and Sprint?
The speeds are comparable if using Sprint's Rev.0, but they launched Rev. A in several cities and will eventually be where ever they have coverage. Revision A is significantly faster especially on the upload side.
I mean EV-DO... (sorry)
What a ripoff! Thats WAAAY too much when you consider other wireless carriers will let you just tether your current cell phone via bluetooth to your laptop for free using your phones internet plan. I do this with T-Mobile & the BB Pearl currently. Yeah, I know its EDGE, but still! Its not THAT slow.
Plus, Sprint is a TERRIBLE company. Ah well, Dell & Sprint. A perfect match I guess.
I work for sprint and i just wanted to inform you that you dont need a voice plan anymore to get the $59.99 unlimited evdo, but you do need to sign for two years, now if you want only one year, than that will cost $79.99 a month.
Ooooooo. That's pretty. Now if we could only do something about the monthly prices for these high-speed networks.
Yea. Dell and Sprint. The titans of customer service. No thanks, I'll spend my time and money somewhere else.
Stop harping on EDGE, it's not that slow. What's the big push for integrated cellular anyway? Sure it's convinient, but you'll get better reception and save yourself some money if you just use bluetooth or usb and a standard phone. Also, laptops don't exactly work well for making cellular calls.
This is such great news. I know people are going to say im stupid for doing this, but i bought a m1210 with the ability to use the card, but wanted to wait for a sprint version of the card. And tethering your phone a lot with BT is a bad idea, the companies will get pissed if you do it too much. Plus BT is a LOT slower than the other methods of connecting.
Sprit's EV-DO service is second to none, including Verizon. I live in San Diego; the first market to experience the new Rev A network, and it is smoking' fast. In fact it is so good I dropped RoadRunner DSL; my only option until now :(
Regardless if you live in San Diego or not, the service is great, and every market will be converted to the new Rev A standard in short order. My advice, make sure you select a AirCard that is forward compatible, meaning it will operate on the new Rev A network. Both the Merlin S720 and the AirCard 595 have this capability; their not free like the PX-500, but they will ensure that you don’t need a costly upgrade a few days after your purchase. www.laptopdsl.com has both at $50 less then Sprint.com, at just $49.99.
Moreover, this post did not define the plan options well... You actually have 4 options:
1. EV-DO only - $79.99
2. EV-DO + Phone - $59.99 + Plan on phone
3. EV-DO only for business customers sign-up with a Tax ID - $59.99
4. EV-DO Phone-as-Modem - $39.99
Each option includes unlimited EV-DO access, any where, any time.
Additional discounts are available to select customers; all discounts are based on your place of employment soo make sure and tell your sales person, It could save you as much as 30% off your monthly rate!
Obviously speed isn’t a necessity for you. Most carriers including Sprint do allow for data access using the phones connection via Bluetooth. Unfortunetly, even if the device’s speeds were faster, it would bottleneck at the Bluetooth connection.
I was almost interested, until I read the word "lappie" not once, but twice. People who use the word "lappie" are dorks...just like the people who call Westinghouse flat screen TVs "Westies".
People who make up affectionate names for gadgets and gear are pretty creepy.