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Wednesday November 15, 2006 2:00 am
Verizon V640 EVDO ExpressCard Review: MacBook Pro
Posted by Andru Edwards
Categories:
Accessories,
Apple,
Broadband,
Features,
PC / Laptop,
Product Reviews,
Wireless / WiFi
For anyone that has picked up a MacBook Pro, or any other laptop computer that has replaced the PCMCIA card with the newer ExpressCard format, you will be happy to hear that a couple of options have become available for getting on the Internet while on the go. New ExpressCards from both Dell and Verizon have surfaced, giving anyone with an ExpressCard slot the ability to resume their mobile tech lifestyle. We got one of the new Verizon V640 ExpressCards and have set it up and tested it, and we are here to report back with our results. Check out the full review of the WWAN V640 after the jump.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
We could hardly contain the excitement of opening up the V640 ExpressCard (see V640 unboxing images), as we have been waiting for it for what seems like forever. The packaging is pretty minimal with this device, as all you will find inside is the ExpressCard itself, the instruction booklet, and the installation disc. You will immediately notice that the antenna can be flipped up, and that there is an extra port on the side of the unit. This allows you to connect an external antenna to the device for even greater reception.
USING THE V640 EXPRESSCARD
Going through the V640 setup process on a MacBook Pro was a snap. It was as simple as inserting the installation disc, following the prompts - none of which require much interaction, and inserting the card. We caught the Verizon V640 installation process, and created a gallery of images. Here are a couple of images from the gallery:
By the time you complete the software installation, the V640 ExpressCard is plugged in and ready to connect. Simply hit the “Connect WWAN” button, and within seconds you are surfing the web. Very smooth, indeed. You can manage your connection to Verizon’s BroadbandAccess/NationalAccess service through VZAccess, or through the Apple menu bar.
TESTING SPEED
So, the benefit of EVDO is that you are able to connect at broadband speeds using your Verizon connection. Now, in theory, the cards can hit speeds of over 500kbps - but this is the real world, where different areas mean different levels of functionality. Where I tested from, I had 2-3 bars of service, and that resulted in speeds of 370kbps down, and 114kbpx up. Seriously though, for mobile broadband in just about every major city, and a fallback to NationalAccess (1xRTT) when out of EVDO range, that isn’t too shabby. Of course, if we were in an area that gave us a full four bars, speed would have been even better. When a little closer to downtown Seattle, with the full four bars, our speed increased to 448kbps down on average.
FINAL VERDICT
For those who own a portable computer with an ExpressCard slot, the Verizon Novatel V640 is a godsend. Finally, no longer is there a need to tether to an EVDO handset over Bluetooth or USB - just plug in the V640 and you are ready to roll. Not sure why it took so long for Novatel to get these out the door and into the hands of Verizon, but what can you do? Now, the downside here is that EV-DO Rev. A should be coming along soon enough, and this card won’t support the new faster speeds that the infrastructure will bring. Still, at just $99 with a two year contract, you can’t go wrong. Of course, the monthly price of $59.99 for BroadbandAccess is a bit much, so we hope to see Verizon bring that down a tad sometime soon. T’would be nice. All in all, the Verizon V640 is a solid card, and gets great speeds on it’s own. The external antenna is a welcome bonus, but we think just about everyone out there will be happy with the purchase. If you want to look into purchasing one, Michael over at EVDOinfo is the man to talk to, so they are a great place to start.
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Comments:
You haven’t mentioned the external antenna port situation with this card. I run a KPC650 with external signal booster and dual antennas and in my mobile application that’s a Godsend. The booster and antennas have often got me signal where nothing was coming in, or boosted me from Nationalaccess to broadband. I couldn’t live without that.
You make no mention of external ports, so your review ain’t complete. Sorry.
Reply to this: comment
Those speed tests are lousy. Were you actually in an EVDO area when you tested?
Reply to this: comment
Hi . . .
I was just as excited as you when my V640 arrived . . . via FedEx overnight . . . from Verizon. I’d ordered it by phone, since my local store didn’t have it in stock.
I have a MacBook Pro. Decided to install the card into the Mac partition (and not the Windows partition).
Amazingly easy! I DIDN’T EVEN HAVE TO INSTALL THE SOFTWARE. I just put the card into the slot and followed the prompts. In about 30 seconds, I got connected! (Guess the latest version of Tiger includes the drivers for the v640).
I checked the dowload using Speakeasy (speakeay.net). Got 1.03 mbs!
Worth waiting for!
Reply to this: comment
So, will I be able to connect if I am running the Windows OS on MacBook Pro or will it only connect while running the Mac OS?
Reply to this: comment
If you are running Boot Camp, simply install the VZAccess software, and it will run on your Windows partition as well
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To answer the question, yes the V640 does have an antenna port. Check out these great antenna options from <a href="http://booster-antenna.com/">Booster-Antenna.com</a>: <a href="http://booster-antenna.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=47">V640 Antennas</a>
Gain EVDO IQ at <a href="http://www.evdoinfo.com">EVDO Info</a> and <a href="http://www.evdoforums.com">EVDO Forums</a>!
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If you use Apple’s own EVDO drivers by uninstalling Verizon’s software, the performance is significantly better! Since 10.4.7 Apple has been supporting the 640 and a few other cards natively. Try it out, EVDINFO has an article on their site on this as well.
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I’m curious about that “external signal booster”. Last year I tried a KPC650, which worked great out and about, but I couldn’t get a signal at all at home. I looked in vain for an external antenna with compatible connectors and came up empty. My RAZR v3c barely gets a 1x signal here.
Reply to this: comment
i bought my v640 10 months ago. today verizon permenantly
suspended my account for violation of terms of use, for downloading streaming video.yes i went to youtube. wtf?
nobody at verizon ever told me, though apparently it was stated(hidden) in the small print. just thought you all should know.
Reply to this: comment
I have a 17 in powerbook g4. My wife has a Dell wireless 5700 express card (v620), i bought the Novatel adaptor for the pci slot on my mac from EVDO, but I can not get it to connect. The green light comes on the express card but my computers not reading it. I’m about to give up. Please somebody help me.
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I just installed a Sierra Wireless Aircard 595U. It is a USB device from Sprint. With all bars, I showed 1.6 mb down and 376 up on speakeasy.com I like it!
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This is a good article but I am not sure what the PCMCIA is. Can anyone tell me that. Thank you very much.
Reply to this: comment
>This is a good article but I am not sure what the PCMCIA is.
>Can anyone tell me that
Use the google. I imagine strictly speaking we’d be talking abou t pccards not the older PCMCIA standard, though.
Verizon is notorious for unilaterally shutting off service to people who actually use it. Their service would appear to be intended for clueless suit-wearers to use once a month on trips, the sort who think that Blackberries are useful.
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