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3 Sticks It To Mobile Broadband
Posted by Nick Broughall at 11:51 AM on May 22, 2008
I've been playing around with the MacBook Air for the past couple of weeks (Verdict: the more I use it, the more I need it) and one of the main problems I've found isn't so much a fault with the Air, but a lack of mobile broadband solutions.
Sure, each of the networks has a USB modem for wireless broadband, but most of them are hideous dongle things that just don't suit the Air's pleasing, minimalist design. Not to mention that they aren't exactly convenient for me working on the train on my way into the office.
So that's probably why I like the look of 3's new USB "Internet Key" for mobile broadband. It plugs straight into a USB slot and away you go.
Sure, each of the networks has a USB modem for wireless broadband, but most of them are hideous dongle things that just don't suit the Air's pleasing, minimalist design. Not to mention that they aren't exactly convenient for me working on the train on my way into the office.
So that's probably why I like the look of 3's new USB "Internet Key" for mobile broadband. It plugs straight into a USB slot and away you go.
It can deliver speeds of up to 1.5Mbps and is HSDPA 7.2 enabled, and works with both PCs and Macs. It's $10 a month, plus data (either $15/month for 1GB, $29/month for 3GB or $49/month for 6GB) on a 24 month plan, or $5 per month for existing 3 customers and people willing to get a bit less bang for their buck ($29/month for 2GB or $49/month for 4GB) over 24 months.
Of course, you need to remember that 3 has some issues with coverage (the price doesn't include data outside of their 3G network), but it looks like this is the price - and product - to beat when it comes to mobile broadband.
[Three]
Tags: au | broadband | data | internet | mobile | networks | online | three | usb
Comments
StevoTheDevo
Posted May 22, 2008 1:22 PM
Of course, it probably wont fit into the restrictive MacBook Air USB port..
Not knocking the Air, just your intro..
Nick Broughall
Posted May 22, 2008 1:39 PM
Your point is valid, and I have a review unit of the 3 stick coming soon to test that very point out. :-)
Cam
Posted May 22, 2008 2:41 PM
If you don't mind committing yourself to a 24 month contract. Hrmmm Optus are supposedly upgrading their network during that time to compete with Telstra.
Jimbo
Posted May 22, 2008 4:02 PM
Can we expect a review of the Air anytime soon? Thoughts and insight into what it's like to use over an extended period of time?
Jon
Posted May 24, 2008 11:44 AM
How can you have posted the above review when you state that you are still waiting on the review unit to test out with the Macbook Air?
Nick Broughall
Posted May 24, 2008 2:54 PM
@Jon: This post isn't a review, it's a news post.