4 laptops w/internal EVDO, help!! Verizon support HINTS.

Drewkloc71 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 4

I am so glad I discovered these forums tonight!!! They have been invaluable to my recent pull-my-hair-out pain of deciding on all this new technology!

I am planning to purchase a new laptop (most likely tablet) and because I already have a Data Plan through Verizon for the next year or so, I wanted to explore the embedded EVDO option.

I still have my PC card type (V640) from my now defunct laptop, but really want to go non-external. I am debating between the Lenovo Thinkpad X60 tab, XPS M1210, Toshiba M400-S4034 tab, and OQO model 02 (which is a different ballpark I know, but has many pro's for me also).

Does anyone have any advice with respect to these options? They all use embedded EVDO technology, and most have PC card slots as well (which I learned through another post that I can swap ESN's through Verizon if necessary). Any information, pros/cons, etc. would be valuable to me and appreciated.

****ALSO: Hint for Verizon support. When you call their main number, you are put through to a Level 1 tech support person. If they cannot help you, You need to repeat your whole problem to a Level 2 support person, and again to a number 3 (of course, they don't tell you this). It is obviously to save them money, because Level 3's are much higher paid. Anyway, either tell them from the beginning you want a Level 3 techy, or better yet, do the following, which a Level 3 tech person filled me in:

Call 800-922-0204, press option 3, then option 4. At least you'll cut through a lot of wasted "I don't know's" for really technical stuff.

Drewkloc71 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 4

I forgot to mention that I did not take in to account the differences in REV A, REV 1 (is there REV 0 too) I will look for more discussions on these, but in the meantime, does anyone knoe where there is a resource to determine what cards use what technology?

I believe from another post that the Thinkpad uses Sierra card 2000 which is REV (0) ? But not sure of Dell, Toshiba, etc. Is there a website that breaks down the cards, and states which technology they use? or do I need to look up each one individually?

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1068

Personally I'm not a big fan of the embedded cards. Antenna/reception is a problem and I don't know of any with external antenna ports. I understand the ease of use but to me it doesn't out weigh the benefits of using a USB card that can be easily transported and installed and used in any pc anywhere there's service. Especially with the new ones on the horizon being so small as well as one I've read about that will be the size of a thumb drive and will have the install software built in so it can indeed be installed anywhere and even possibly carried on a key chain. Just my 2¢ worth.

EDIT: Rev 0 is the first generation EVDO service. Rev A is the 2nd generation which allows for much greater increase in UL speeds. Check out the Wikipedia for "EVDO", it really explains it well. By the way, welcome to this forum!!

Drewkloc71 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 4

Thanks Bigdave

But let me mention....I primarily use the wireless for email, browsing, and playing poker online (he he, that's my occupation actually) so I am not downloading large files, etc. Most of what I do can be done even on dialup without a big inconvienience. So the ease of use factor holds much more weight than the speed issues.

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1068

No way. Tough occupation you got there. That is entirely too cool!! Whatever works for you. Good luck to ya!

southsanfran · EVDO User Joined: 21 Apr 2007 Posts: 55

The OQO model 2 has EVDO Rev A. You may want to consider the Panasonic Toughbook CF-W5 which definitely has EVDO Rev A as well.

It's best to go with a notebook that has Rev A since it's the latest technology. Unfortunately, computer manufacturers are not really knowledgeable about cellular wilreless so it's hard many times to determine what exactly is in the computer.

Penny3557 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 5

I own the XPS 1210 with EVDO and have had it for about a month. It is a great little laptop - just under 5 pounds - and I've been very pleased with it so far. Fabulous graphics and very good speed, although I have not yet had a chance to test the speed to get actual numbers. Real life keeps interfering! Wink

Verizon was not much of a help with regards to the wireless broadband service. I called them at least 6 times and was, as you mentioned, constantly being shuttled being technicians. My problem was that my connection did not work after the free 3-day-trial period. I had activated a regular contract with Verizon and they gave me a new wireless number. After they did that, the service would not connect. Finally, one evening on a whim I right-clicked the Dell Mobile Broadband icon and chose Run as Administrator and have had no issues since then. Go figure.

I agree that there is not much knowledge at all yet concerning these systems and that many of us have to wing it at this point.

kimberman · EVDO Newbie Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 4

Hi, I got 2 Dell XPS M1210 and one of them has the Rev A card inside sold by Dell and I also have a U720 USB card for my other Dell XPS M1210 which I am currently using it with USB but one day I will take out the data card and install it inside the M1210, any way the both the internal card from Dell REV A and the U720 (USB) external unit both work the same as far as signal and connection speed. I really really like the internal setup of the Dell XPS M1210 more then the USB type. I had the Sony's small laptop before but there is no comparison to the speed and power of the XPS M1210.

John.

matawanakee · EVDO Newbie Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 2

I have a Dell Latitude D620 with the embedded card RevA, Verizon Service. It is very fast. I had a Latitude D800 with an external card for three years and was always whacking the card or the antenna. The antenna came loose and I could never fix it. I have no reception issues with the embedded card. I sling with it as well... and can even stay connected riding down the highway (someone else driving).

Finally!!!! Very Happy

fparisi · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 07 Oct 2005 Posts: 12

A lot of the Lenovo Thinkpads don't support rev a mini pci (internal) cards. They support rev 0 card internally, but their BIOS wont accept the newer pci cards.

I have a T60 that wont support rev a. I am debating using a pc card or express card instead.

From what I have heard Lenovo probably wont update the BIOS to support rev a mini pci cards. Sounds crazy, but I have heard this from some people in the know.

While we are on the topic, Is the Rev a worth it? How much faster is it from rev o?

Alex · Site Admin Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 1945

rjsurfer · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 24

If I purchased a laptop with embedded EVDO Rev A would I have to sign a new contract with Verizon? I already have a contract for my USB 727 on my other machine.

I would like to keep the same number and contract because it was signed a few months ago so I have no crazy overcharges after 5 gig. I could just sell the USB 727, right?

Thanks

Ron W.

dima · EVDO User Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 86

Sure, that's no problem. Just either call verizon or go online in "my Account" and do an "ESN Swap". The option to do that is in Upgrade phone or something like that. What that does is tie the ESN (serial number) of your embedded chip to your old data card phone number and deactivates the data card. You can keep the old card and bounce between the two ESNs on the same number doing these swaps, or you can sell the modem as you prefer. Or throw it in a drawer and forget where it is 2 months later Laughing

rjsurfer · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 24

Dima....just the answer I was looking for, sounds easy.

Except, how do I make the internet connection to change the ESN if it's configured for the USB 727, do I first have to make the swap using the 727 then connect with the embedded card?

Thanks

Ron

thomasz · EVDO Newbie Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 9

it's easy to change it Smile

. That's what i'm looking for now.