Mac Specs: 8GB iPhone, MacBook Pro (15",2.33 C2D), MacBook (2.0 C2D), 4 iPods (20GB, Mini, Nano, Shuffle)
USB EV-DO Modem from Sprint
Just found this on Engadget, thought folks might be interested:
Quote:
Although there have been inklings in the past that Sprint was working on a USB EV-DO modem with Novatel Wireless, recent FCC approval documents have confirmed its existence and given us a first glimpse at what the modem actually looks like. In comparison to its peers, the U720 is visually appealing, although the single shot of the device doesn't provide a very good idea of its size thanks to the USB port being out of sight. Not that the style of the modem matters: we know people (read: MacBook owners) that would kill to see a USB EV-DO modem come to the States -- it's probably a good thing that the FCC approved the device then, eh?
Mac Specs: Mac Pro, 3.2 GHz 8 Core, 8 GB RAM, 2*750 GB Disk, nVidia 8800 GT
Actually, they are likely both pretty bad from a speed perspective. I used an EV-DO PCMCIA card in my laptop a week or so ago when all else failed, and never got about 80 Kbps, despite Verizon's claims that it could reach into the mega bps. Granted, this is just one example, but as a modem, I would say that EV-DO is not quite up to what it claims.
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My Macs: Mac Pro, 3.2 GHz 8 Core, MacBook Pro, 2.2 GHz C2D
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I was on the Mac-Forums honor roll for September 2007
Mac Specs: MB (white uni) 2.26GHz, 4GB RAM, 250GB; Mac mini 2.0 C2D, 2GB RAM, 120GB HD; iPod Touch 32GB(2G)
I surmise the speed you had is due to it being on the Verizon network. Having been a Verizon user, and now a Sprint user, Sprint's EVDO service using their wireless card is EXTREMELY faster, in my opinion of course.
Mac Specs: 8GB iPhone, MacBook Pro (15",2.33 C2D), MacBook (2.0 C2D), 4 iPods (20GB, Mini, Nano, Shuffle)
On the most recent MacBreak Weekly podcast (which is episode 14, 11/8/2006), one of Leo Laporte's gang mentioned that he uses the Verizon card in his MacBook Pro and was very happy with the speed. Could Verizon be getting better?
Mac Specs: Powerbook AL G4 15", MacBook Pro 15", Dual G4 1.25, Wallstreet 292, Cube DualG4 1.4
I'll answer a few questions with this post.
The Sprint USB u720 has missed 3 launch dates, and is now expected sometime in december (but don't hold your breath). Several were accidentally sold in early november, and one Mac user has reported it does not work with any Mac that he's tried it with.
As to the difference between using a data-only EVDO device, versus an EVDO enabled phone with data-service... Cell phones don't have the processor power to compete with laptops, and the latter will see higher top speeds. for casual users, EVDO phones work fine, keeping in mind that you can't talk and surf at the same time. roadwarriors who need the best speeds, and who must be able to talk on a phone at the same time, tend to get the dedicated evdo devices for data-only.
Between the two major EVDO carriers, Verizon is far more Mac-friendly than Sprint is. Verizon contracted Smith-Micro to write their VZAccess Manager and it simplifies getting connected.
Conversely, Sprint seems not to care about Mac-users as nothing they currently ship is Mac-compatible, and no Mac software exists at all. Read this blog post for more: Sprint EVDO and Macs November, 2006
FYI, I work for EVDOinfo.com, where most of us are die-hard Mac-users who spend our days answering sales and support calls from Mac users everywhere, who want to get their EVDO groove going as fast as possible.
Whenever any of you Mac users have any EVDO questions, feel free to find us on iChat as 'BoosterAntenna', and we'll take good care of you!
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For the best EVDO deals, hook up with the Mac/EVDO Experts at EVDOinfo.com
If you have EVDO questions, find us on iChat as BoosterAntenna
