I'm thinking that buying a stand alone mobile router and having the option of plugging ANY service into it.... is better than buying Sprint-only Mifi 2200.
Anyone have experience with both and can agree and confirm?
I'm thinking that buying a stand alone mobile router and having the option of plugging ANY service into it.... is better than buying Sprint-only Mifi 2200.
Anyone have experience with both and can agree and confirm?
I believe that Verizon and AT&T also have a MiFi or equivalent available, although it may not be possible to change companies.
I have a Cradlepoint wireless router that works with my Verizon USB modem. It also has four LAN Ethernet ports. I connect one to an HP printer for wireless printing. It would also work with a computer that has Ethernet but not WiFi. Does the MiFi have LAN ports?
I prefer the Cradlepoint approach because I can still use the USB modem by itself with my laptop when away from home. Can the MiFi be used as a USB modem, or does it only work where AC power is available.?
Fred
I'm thinking the Cradle Point approach is best as well...for the exact same reasons you say above that one can use the dongle alone when needed!
As far as I can tell the MiFi does not have the utility that you mention above....plus would be "locked" into just that one service provider you buy it from (i.e. Verizon, etc)..... agree?
I agree. But the same is true for the Dongle, as far as I know.
Fred
True
But you can buy a dongle cheaper than a MiFi.... and plug ANY dongle into the Cradle Point yes?
Before you commit, go to the CradlePoint web site and verify that specific dongle is compatible. It was necessary to update the firmware in my MBR 900, to make it compatible with the Verizon Pantech UMW190VW USB modem.
At least with Verizon, the USB modem would have been "free" if I had committed to a long contract. I chose to purchase it outright, in order to have a shorter contract. The monthly service charge is about $60 per month for up to 5GB of data. The MiFi may cost more if you purchase it outright, but maybe not with the longer contract.
Fred
Yes, the MiFi can be tethered and used as a USB modem and also has a battery to allow for maybe 4 hours of operation as an AP without external power.
There are 2 types of MiFi, the cardless ones that are locked either to Verizon or Sprint and the ones that accept GSM cards for use on ATT or T-Mobile or much and much of the rest of the world. The card-using MiFi's can come locked to one service provider or unlocked. And even the locked ones can become unlocked by the people and companies that do that kind of thing.
The cardless one is the MiFi 2200 and the card-using types are 2352 and 2372.
Tony
Meanwhile, at the alt.internet.wireless Job Justification Hearings, snipped-for-privacy@privacy.net chose the tried and tested strategy of:
Do the dongles require different drivers, or are they generic 'class' devices like Mass Storage?
That I don't know
Meanwhile, at the alt.internet.wireless Job Justification Hearings, snipped-for-privacy@privacy.net chose the tried and tested strategy of:
I think that's what the whole question hinges on.
Alex-
My Verizon dongle is supported by the Macintosh operating system. The Macintosh Network System Preference has a list of drivers to choose from, just as if you were setting up a dial-up telephone modem. I found two or three that worked by trial and error. The one I'm using now is "Generic CDMA". I expect other carriers' modems would also be supported, but have no experience with them.
Verizon has a program you can download. In addition to managing network connections, it can communicate with Verizon and let you know how much data you have used since the monthly reset date.
Fred
Correct
It is the essence of my question I suppose!!
gee, I was thinking the essence of the question is what *IS* a dongle? (IMO the term "dongle" refers to generic devices from many different manufacturers, that all do specific things, the propietary things IMO aren't dongles)
you just answered your own question, is it "generic" or proprietary?
sorry, neither verizon att etc make wifi, they buy em from novatel wireless registered trademark of novatel....
see the cradlepoint website
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