3G Internet Cards

[shidobu]

Anybody uses these regularly? And are there any good Data plans out there worth looking at? I just recently bought a laptop, and there arent any networks i can "leech" while at work. So im looking to maybe buy one of these? Or something better if people can point me in the right direction! Thx in advance

Amazon.com: Option Wireless GT Ultra Express Wireless 3G Internet Card - PC/Mac Compatible, EDGE Class 12, 3G, UMTS (AT&T Branded): Electronics

[The Stig]

What do you intend to do?

When I had my 1gb limit FFXI would use up 10-15mb per night (3-4 hours play) in average traffic areas.

Over a month this amounts to less than 500mb, leaving the other 500mb for casual web usage (no streaming vids or anything, just msn/forum browsing).

[shidobu]

^ that that sounds about right. I dont watch much youtube and wont be an idiot and trying to download anything on it. So yea u basicly sumed up my useage @ work.

[virusiidx]

I was looking into these a while back, but the plans are just too expensive for the time being. When I was Tokyo last January, their mobile plans from softbank and docomo were dirt cheap, and with a higher mbps than the normal here. Guess we won't see that for a while, until then, I don't think it's worth it as much.

In for more answers though, I would still like to see some data plan comparisons.

[Jotaru]

Works fast, stupid expensive- and the best part is, it costs the companies a fraction of what they charge to provide the service. Guess that's the way it works in the US though, so you can't do much to change that.

Protip: If you use a major wireless provider, try there first, with a lot of phones you can use them as a wireless modem using the 3G network, and its usually cheaper... i.e., a 3G modem might cost you $60 a month, but you can get it on top of a data plan on a phone for $30 extra; if you already have internet on your phone (or would consider using it) its more cost effective to do it that way.

[guartz]

If you are gonna sign a 2 year contract anyway, why not get the 1 year warranty at&t provides with all their products by buying it at the store?

[antihero]

I tether my iPhone to my laptop when I'm out anywhere since 3G is pretty much everywhere, works for me and you get unlimited data with the iPhone plan anyways.

[The Stig]

The prices have slumped since I first used it back in 2006-2007 when I was constantly on the move (so perma connection to a wall was not an option, nor was reliable wifi spots)

Given that, with the packages I see nowadays, basic ones seem to be 3gb a month while the middle tier packages seem to be 5 or 10gb a month. If you can stray away from viewing high bandwidth stuff (music, video, porn) then it will pretty much last you a long time.

Even with 5gb, it's possible to pick out vids you'll want to watch off youtube and "download" them so you can keep an eye on your bandwidth, but what I used to do was to use up my limit before the month is over if I have about 500mb left, just look for stuff I wanted but haven't been able to download.

[shidobu]

k now we just need to compare some plans lol price wise ill try to find some when i get home. Work pc doesnt like AT&T website