Sierra Announces AirCard 595U - EVDO USB Modem

dappledandy · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 8:00 pm Post subject: PowerBook and U720

Anybody using the U720 on a Powerbook G4, 17" machine?

Do you need two USB ports (for the Y adapter)?

Thanks,

Terry D

Michael · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 8:14 pm Post subject:

You only need the Y Adapter, IF you are in a very weak signal area. I usually never use the Y Adapter cable.

Yes, it can work on a PowerBook G4, I have used it many times on mine. We supply a CD with needed drivers for your G4 AND, our company provides tech support (Sprint doesn't).

Also, lets keep this thread on the topic of the 595U. Thanks!
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bdhadhdnh · EVDO User Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 30 Location: So Cal

Michael · Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 8:29 am Post subject:

We are doing some more tests today and we are working on a full review. I will post some details later today

Many have thought the 595U was a lot smaller than the U720, they are almost identical in size. Keep in mind the 595U's USB port folds up into the bottom and when plugged in can sit vertical.

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kalen43 · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 30 Apr 2007 Posts: 131

jackrodgers · EVDO Addict Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 1131

* Dimensions: U720: .67 x 1.5 x 3.43 , 595U: .79 x 1.53 x 3.66

* Weight: U720: 1.83 Oz; 595U: 2.12 Oz with battery

Gads, that U595 is a big fat hog.......

* Adjustment: U720: No, 595U: 3-position swivel

The U720 is completely adjustable since it can be placed where ever you want and in whatever position you want (and can find a way to support).

* Cable: U720: Y cable; 595U: dock station with USB cable.

The 595U is obviously designed for 1-USB port use while the U720 is designed for 2-port use.

The U720 has the second usb port for those laptops and desktops which have an underpowered USB port. It works just fine with one plug in my MacBook Pro and many Windows laptops. The extra plug is to overcome the deficiency in design in the USB ports by the mfg.

Since my MacBook Pro will be plugged in whenever I am near an ac outlet, this extends the life of the battery and recharges, the battery in the 595 is of questionable benefit to me. Of course I suppose it is nice to have a 595 that remains fully charged after it helps drain my laptop battery in use and recharging itself... Laughing

So, the consideration for the battery is simply this, assuming a continuous internet connect:

Suppose my 595 battery is exhausted and I hook it up to my laptop. How long will the laptop battery last.

Suppose the 595 battery is fully charged, how long with the laptop battery last.

Comparable with the U720 would be how long will the same full charge last with the U720 plugged in.

Until someone can provide those three numbers, we can only speculate.

Alex · Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 3:39 pm Post subject:

here are a couple of pix showing AC595U inserted, at right angle:

bdhadhdnh · EVDO User Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 30 Location: So Cal

jackrodgers · EVDO Addict Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 1131

Don't get stuck focusing on the direct insertion into the USB port. The U720 ships with a USB cable...

My U720 is about one yard away from my MacBook Pro and sitting on top of a cabinet. I can place it anywhere with a 270 radius (not wanting to run the cord over or under the MacBook but I could. At the end of its tether I can move the U720 in any direction (locus of a sphere).

I would find the U595 awkward sitting up like that and getting in the way of my hands...

AlanInTheWindyCity · EVDO Newbie Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 1

I pickup up my 595u yesterday from a sprint store and so far I'm seeing pretty good results from it.
One thing the guy in the store said (may have been BS) is that when connected to my desktop machine via the docking unit the 595u can act as a wifi 'hotspot' in other words I could use the inbuilt 802.11g in my laptop to connect via the 595u to the net?
When I spoke with Sprint Tech support who were helping me get it working on my Vista Desktop machine they said they had heard that as well but as it wasn't something that Sprint supported they couldn't tell me how.
Has anyone heard this?
My laptop is from work so it's in a domain. it's running xp-pro
I'd really appreciate any suggestions on this
Thanks
Alan

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1069

jackrodgers · EVDO Addict Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 1131

coreyinoz · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 15

Hi all,

Allow me to clear up some confusion regarding the inclusion of batteries inside the Sierra AC595U and AC875U units.

The short answer is that the battery is there to provide extra power where the USB port cannot supply it. That's it.

Full explanation: USB ports provide max power of 500mA. These USB devices can use much more than that (for very short periods of time). Consider that wireless communication is burst-ey in nature - the unit isn't taxed much when you're composing an e-mail, but sending a 1MB spreadsheet in poor conditions can tax it. As well, in fringe areas, the unit will draw even more power to raise the gain of the signal.

Rather than using a Y-adapter to hog 2 USB ports to get the extra power, Sierra designed in a battery as a power buffer in the unit. The battery is constantly trickle charging from the USB, while providing the large bursts of power needed during peak transmission periods. Given that the AC595U is roughly the same size as the U720, it looks like a pretty good solution - especially if your USB ports are at a premium. As well, the battery is capable of supplying more than the 500mA x 2 that the Y-adapter can draw.

coreyinoz

Alex · Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 4:43 pm Post subject:

coreyinoz · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 15