Difference between 3g card and usb modem

I want broadband on my laptop to be able to use any where
Would anybody be able to tell me the difference between using a 3g card or a USB modem to connect.

Comments

  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    joffy wrote: »
    I want broadband on my laptop to be able to use any where
    Would anybody be able to tell me the difference between using a 3g card or a USB modem to connect.

    Mobile operators commonly supplied PCMCIA data cards but now USB modems are often supplied.
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
  • buglawton
    buglawton Posts: 9,240 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Data card slides into a slot, usb modem hangs off a usb socket like a dongle. Benefit is that you could at a pinch use the usb device on a desktop computer.
  • joffy
    joffy Posts: 343 Forumite
    Thanks for replies
    But is one way actually better than the other in terms of better connection speeds or more stable connection .etc
  • Tim_Deegan
    Tim_Deegan Posts: 6,027 Forumite
    One thing you need to check is the type of card slot in your laptop.

    I used to have a PCMCIA 3G modem for use with my old laptop which died recently. So after purchasing 2 new laptops for my company I tried to insert the card into the slot only to find that it didn't fit. So I phoned up Dell to see if they could send me a PCMCIA slot to swap with the Express slot that the laptop came supplied with, only to be told that they don't do PCMCIA slots any more.

    So I called Orange to see if they did an Express card or a USB modem, but they don't. So I was stuck:confused:

    However Orange weren't in my good books anyway, so I changed over to Vodafone who supplied me with 2 USB modems. So far they seem to be slower than the 3G PCMCIA card, but there is a better USB version available which is supposed to be quicker.

    So your best bet might be to go with the fastest USB modem.
  • For information on the Vodafone Broadband you can check the website, you will be able to see technical information, costs, coverage information and alot more :)
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