Sierra Wireless AirCard 402 plays PC Card and ExpressCard roles

We can't say there are an awful lot of folks out there looking for a single mobile broadband card that'll play nice in both PC Card and ExpressCard slots, but for that niche that's intently paying attention, have a look at this. The Sierra Wireless AirCard 402 is the company's first to offer such 2-in-1 functionality, and it's designed to operate on EV-DO Rev. A networks handling speeds of up to 3.1Mbps (downlink) / 1.8Mbps (uplink). Users can also bank on the company's TRU-Locate GPS service to "quickly and accurately establish location for local searches and navigation." There's no mention of a price or release date, but it should be on hand for us to peer at during CTIA this week.

[Via ExpressCard-Info]

[Shank @ Mar 30th 2009 3:50PM]

tight

[Xenoterranos @ Mar 30th 2009 3:58PM]

huzzah! Mixed laptop environment + sporadic and unplanned traveling = tech hell. Our IT department needs to order about 20 of these stat!

[Sebastian @ Mar 30th 2009 3:59PM]

There is one thing I'm looking for here in the US: Affordable 3G!

Gee, the US was light years ahead of the rest of the world with regards to affordable GPRS data a few years back but today 3G data here is just ridiculously overpriced in comparison to pretty much all other countries I know.

The cheapest 3G flatrate in Sweden is a mere 12 USD per month and in Germany you have daily flatrates which are ideal for your weekend trips or your 3G-when you need it.

That's what I want. A 3G pay as you go option, that is actually usable...

[happeaflyer @ Mar 30th 2009 5:30PM]

that's a pretty cool pattern on the card port, even though it isnt normally visible

[Guy @ Mar 30th 2009 6:15PM]

This card probably would have been useful back when ExpressCard was first coming out... I suppose this works well for those who are hoping to upgrade laptops soon. Then again, the new laptops will most likely have built-in 3G...

[robm @ Mar 31st 2009 11:32AM]

is engadget that dumb or am i missing something? the company doesn't offer pc card and express card options for a niche that wants both, it's for those that might have a pc card legacy laptop that won't have an outdated gadget if they upgrade to a new laptop with express card. one product can be sold to both markets. duh!

[nak @ Mar 30th 2009 7:52PM]

Since the expresscard spec has pins for both pcie and usb2, it would stand to reason that the adapter is simply cardbus -> usb2.

[Lenny @ Apr 2nd 2009 3:10AM]

I agree with nak's assessment.

Folks with PC CardBus slots on their older laptops could also use this adapter:

ExpressAdapt PCMCIA PC CardBus to USB Mode ExpressCard Adapter, Synchrotech
http://www.synchrotech.com/products-expc/pcmcia-pc_cardbus-usb-expresscard-adapter-expressadapt.html

though Sierra Wireless' solution is prettier if less general.

[darkstar @ Mar 30th 2009 8:01PM]

USB ftw!
i have no idea why they would work on this. their USB model is great! it works on the laptop or desktop

[tom @ Mar 30th 2009 10:49PM]

Finally someone gets it right! I have some laptops with a PC Card slot and no ExpressCard slot and vice-versa. The card modems are better than USB IMO because they stay plugged in and can't get lost. Can't wait to get one of these.

[H4MM3R @ Mar 31st 2009 12:14AM]

This style of card is great. I only have so many USB ports and it seems like they are almost always in use. While PCMCIA and Express card slots are always empty. +1 on tom's comment, too. I've seen other companies shipping these with an USB-to-Express adapter,making it a 3-1. Allowing it to be used on a desktop unit if need be.

[Breaking News @ Mar 31st 2009 12:22AM]

Sierra Wireless newest AirCard will be RS-232 only. It will be named the AirCard 404.

[Ultatryon @ Apr 21st 2009 5:00PM]

... Wait.. why is this news? Because it comes with a PCMCIA to Expresscard adapter? Because its "only" $100?

Sprint has had the Merlin EX720 for quite a while now, which also comes with a PCMCIA adapter. It can be had for free after the mentioned $50 MIR too..

http://nextelonline.nextel.com/NASApp/onlinestore/en/Action/DisplayPhones?phoneSKU=NVEX720DRA