rollcage Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 I've been thinking about getting myself a macbook for college. The bandwidth allowance at the college isn't that great, so I was thinking about getting a data plan from a cell carrier, and using that instead. Can I do that? The macbook doesn't have an expresscard slot (at least I don't think so), do any carriers offer a USB dongle or something that I could use instead? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/41901-quick-macbook-question/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stadsport Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 (edited) You could get any smartphone that allows tethering and just get a data plan for it. It's pretty specific on each carrier and all, but basically a cellphone can do the same as any of those PC cards. I've used my Chocolate as a modem via Bluetooth a few times. Edited February 11, 2007 by Stadsport Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/41901-quick-macbook-question/#findComment-299503 Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollcage Posted February 11, 2007 Author Share Posted February 11, 2007 I should have thought about that before, there is software out for the RAZR spefically for that purpose. duh I was worried I was going to have to pay the extra for a MBP just to be able to insert the networking card. Too bad I have to string out the cable just to be able to connect to the internet, inserting a card would be so much easier. Apple should think about that for the next version of the Macbook. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/41901-quick-macbook-question/#findComment-299514 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stadsport Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 I should have thought about that before, there is software out for the RAZR spefically for that purpose. duh I was worried I was going to have to pay the extra for a MBP just to be able to insert the networking card. Too bad I have to string out the cable just to be able to connect to the internet, inserting a card would be so much easier. Apple should think about that for the next version of the Macbook. Just do it through Bluetooth; thats what I do. If I've got my laptop with me, I've almost certainly got my phone with me. So I can just turn on Bluetooth and click "Connect" on the modem thingy and it dials up and connects with my phone in my pocket the whole time. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/41901-quick-macbook-question/#findComment-299561 Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollcage Posted February 11, 2007 Author Share Posted February 11, 2007 I didn't think that the transfer speed of Bluetooth would be fast enough. Thanks once again, that will work just fine! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/41901-quick-macbook-question/#findComment-299582 Share on other sites More sharing options...
compu-tor Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 FYI, Sprint is offering the Ovation USB Wireless modem for 49.99 and unlimited data plan for 59.99/mo. Not as cheap as Tmo or others if you are close to a Starbucks or other hotspot, but not bad either. Depending on where you are, EV-DO can be fast (well, 7-800k), or annoyingly slow. And while they do not advertise it, it does work with OSX. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/41901-quick-macbook-question/#findComment-307164 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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