More Productive Work Time
Many people have used single-function devices and smart phones connected through cellular data networks in order to read e-mail. While these devices are great for "e-mail triage," the small screens and tiny keypads of these devices make creating a full response or accessing attachments difficult. By bringing broadband connectivity to your notebook computer, with its larger screen and full-size keyboard, you can read these same e-mail messages, open attachments, and craft full replies that can make the difference in solving a customer's problem or moving a project along.
And unlike the very basic Web-based information services available on these smaller devices, you can use your desktop applications, a full Web browser, and other connected applications to work normally from virtually anywhere.
Built-in Benefits
Most users will prefer the reliability, convenience and performance of a built-in mobile broadband modem compared to an external PC Card. Built-in cards stay out of your way and integrate with existing wireless antennas, which are usually integrated behind the notebook display screen. By building the antenna into the notebook, the risk of it getting bent or broken is minimized.
In addition, when a notebook computer is purchased with a built-in card, all of the appropriate drivers and connection manager software come pre-installed. (You can purchase built-in cards from Dell for Cingular, Sprint, or Verizon Wireless mobile broadband services1 in the U.S. and for TELUS mobile broadband service in Canada.) You just need to perform a one-time service activation and then click the "Connect" button. It's that simple.
One more benefit is the improved performance of built-in cards compared to external PC Cards. By placing the antenna away from the internal components of the notebook computer, where there is the most electrical interference, performance has been shown to improve by more than 45 percent in some studies3.
Mobile Broadband vs. Wi-Fi
How mobile broadband differs from Wi-Fi connectivity:
| Mobile Broadband Wi-Fi | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Area | Measured in miles | Measured in feet |
| Connect From Virtually Anywhere | Yes | No (requires Wi-Fi Hotspot) |
| Technologies | 3G (HSDPA, EVDO) | 802.11b/g |
| Single Plan provides broad coverage |
Yes | No |
| Service Costs | ~$60 per month (with voice plan), ~$80 per month (data only) |
~$30 per month per service, ~$10 per day for day pass |
Who Carries The Data?
Mobile broadband comes from the same companies that bring you cellular voice service:
- Cingular BroadbandConnect
- Sprint Mobile Broadband
- Verizon Wireless Broadband Access
- TELUS Wireless High Speed
The data service can be purchased separately, but many carriers offer a discount if you couple the plan with an existing cellular voice service. Because of this discount, most users will opt to purchase their voice and data services from the same carrier. Although the technologies are different, all services provide fast data connectivity.
Mobile Broadband Solutions from Dell
Dell offers a full selection of mobile broadband products along with customer assistance for sign-up and activation with the mobile broadband service of your choice. Whether you are purchasing a new notebook, or upgrading an existing notebook to mobile broadband, Dell has a wide variety of options, including built-in mini-cards and external ExpressCards for Cingular, Sprint and Verizon Wireless's mobile broadband networks.
Dell has the right notebook to meet your needs. Every small business notebook computer that Dell sells can be fitted with an ExpressCard and many models support the built-in mini-card. The mini-card option is currently available on the Dell Latitude D420 ultra-portable, D620, and D820 notebooks as well as the Dell Precision(TM) M65 model and XPS(TM) M1210. Because these Dell notebooks ship with low-interference wireless antennas hidden behind the display screen, your mobile broadband performance can be up to 45 percent faster3 than other options. So when configuring a notebook computer, it's not just the processor, memory, and hard disk choices you need to consider. If you're a busy professional, a built-in mobile broadband card can add more productive time to your week.
1 You must be a SprintPCS, Verizon Wireless or Cingular subscriber. Actual connectivity is subject to wireless service provider's coverage area and may be affected by equipment, topography, signal strength, environmental considerations, and other factors. Service may vary significantly within buildings. Dell does not guarantee coverage.
2 Where wireless access is available. Additional access charges apply in some locations. Accessibility to company networks may be affected may be affected by firewalls or other privacy measures.
3 Achieving Lower TCO: Dell Notebooks with Embedded Mobile Broadband Modules," iGR White Paper sponsored by Dell.
Copyright 2007 Dell, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This story was editorially selected as relevant and is used with permission from CA. PC World received no compensation for posting this article. Courtesy of Dell
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