NIC Card Knowledge

The U301 doesn’t come with many features, it lacks a microSD slot so you still have to carry an USB flash drive if you want portable storage, but what it does it does well. If you need better speeds you will likely go with 4G, while most networks don’t have nowhere near nation-wide coverage that will change in the years to come so this card is a keeper.

When compared to other air cards, the U301 is a bit bulky but having 3G/4G access at the same time is well worth it, it measures 3.5″ length and 1.7″ width so it is about the length of a credit card and around half its width, it weighs 1.25 ounces.

The card is compatible with all the newest operating systems: Windows XP, Vista, 7 as well as Mac OS 10.5 and 10.6 (Snow Leopard).

One feature we’re glad to see in the U301 is the “swivel” USB connector, because of its bulkiness this card is going to be susceptible to breaking if used with laptops or netbooks, with the swivel you can turn it vertically instead of horizontally which should prevent most damage.

Probably the most important feature of an air card is the speed, as previously mentioned the U301 supports 3G as well as 4G networks, the maximal speed on 3G networks is 3.1mbps and 10mbps on 4G networks.

When it comes to extra features this air card doesn’t have a microSD port like other cards we reviewed so you will have to carry an extra device with you but it does come with integrated GPS which can be used as a navigation system thought we wouldn’t recommend using it as your main GPS device, rather as a backup.

This air card might be most attractive to people who need a high speed network but don’t have access to DSL, as well as businesspeople who have to stay connected on the road.

If you’re looking to use wireless broadband for the years to come this card is definitely something you want, getting a 3G card now is OK, but you will probably have to get a new one in a year or two. Getting the U301 will give you the best of both worlds, you can still use the widespread 3G network and will have access to 4G as well.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, January 6th, 2011 at 6:27 am and is filed under Air Card Review, Air Cards, CDMA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.