Travel Technology - What do you think of the Ovation U727 by Novatel Wireless?

I got the MBAir so I need a different data card because it does not have a slot. I am thinking of getting the Ovation U727 by Novatel Wireless for Sprint. I can get this card for $99 with a 2 year subscription and using the SERO plan can get a $49 a month data plan. What do you think?

It's a good solid card, the best of the USB devices they have IMHO.

It's a shame your MBA doesn't have a MiniPCI slot, because the old(er) U720 can be ripped open to get access to a MiniPCI Rev.A card...

Another option would be to get an express card and a USB > Expresscard adapter. If Apple ever decides to add Expresscard to the next gen MBA you'd be set for the future...

I have a Verizon labeled USB 720 and it work well with my MacBook Air. It does need an extender or hub for the USB port though.

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I have a Verizon labeled USB 720 and it work well with my MacBook Air. It does need an extender or hub for the USB port though.

Ughhh!!!! Sprint guy told me it would fit in just right.

Sprint lied to me?

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Ughhh!!!! Sprint guy told me it would fit in just right.

Sprint lied to me?

Maybe the 727 is smaller. The sides of the 720 wont clear the part of the Mac Air that opens up to make the port available.

Yes, the 727 is quite a bit smaller actually.

Yes, the 727 is quite a bit smaller actually.


I can't fit the 727 in my Air. It needs an extension cable. You may be able to make it fit with a bit of force but that was not something I was excited to do.

I can't fit the 727 in my Air. It needs an extension cable. You may be able to make it fit with a bit of force but that was not something I was excited to do.

Thi is from an article on gigaom (http://gigaom.com/2008/02/05/one-3g-usb-modem-that-works-with-macbook-air/)

"And since I happened to have Novatel Wireless’ U727 USB modem for Sprint’s EVDO network lying around, I decided to plug it in and see for myself whether or not it worked. I’m not sure if Engadget used this modem, but for me the device plugged in without problems, showed up on the desktop, and after some minor tinkering, got me online at decidedly 3G speeds."

I should be getting it on Thur so will report back.

What do you think of the deal I got for $49 using SERO? Could I have done better?

What do you think of the deal I got for $49 using SERO? Could I have done better?

Not really. You could have theoretically purchased an HTC Mogul and put it on the $30 voice plan using it for tethering, but it lacks the ease of use and size of the Ovation.

A downside of the USB EV-DO modems (and for that matter the GSM/Edge/UMTS ones too): If you have a corporate-IT-managed laptop, an increasing number of companies are using programs like DeviceLock to lock down USB ports from being writeable. Data security and all that good stuff, no data walking out on USB flash drives. Blocks the modems too.

This happened to me with my work-supplied laptop in the middle of a trip. One night I was happily surfing away after finishing my work tasks. The next morning the laptop couldn't find the U720. Discovered they'd pushed out DeviceLock and a new policy to the machine.

Had to switch to a PC Card version instead, and specifically a company-supplied model. They wouldn't whitelist the U720 for allowed USB-write. Many of the PC Card versions electronically appear as a USB port+USB modem anyhow, and get blocked by the same policy even though not really USB (e.g. Pantech 500)

I just got it and have set up and I'm posting using the 727.


Unboxing
The 727 comes with a clip to hang on to your monitor along with an male to female extension. It also has a black pouch looking thing to put everything into. It comes with software that has the OS X and Win versions and a manual.

Installation

I read a couple of different sites and it recommended that I not use the included software when using Leopard but to downloaded the latest Novatel driver. I did download the latest Novatel driver and tried to connect under leopard but nothing happened. I read somewhere that it is better to connect using Win first and then going over to OS X. I loaded all of the included connection software on to the XP machine and tried connecting. It would connect and then disconnect with an error message. It kept saying "You will lose all data if you unplug your data card!" I called Sprint Support which I hate to do. But I was surprised to speak to a US based technician and as I got connected I placed my card into the XP machine again and then the connection manager initiated a update. It took a while like 6 min but what was nice the Support person stayed on the phone with me. Finally when it was done it stayed connected. I then took it out and inserted into the Air. Works like a charm.


Fit
I was concerned that it would not fit and was resigned to use the extension which is included but I inserted it and gave a push and it went in.

Update - I am sitting at MCDonalds watching my daughter play on the playplace and using my 727. I have noticed that due to the way the USB drops down when I insert the 727 I cannot place it directly on the table. The 727 has to hang off the side of the table. Probably not the best thing to do while at play place with kids running around.

Speeds
I am getting 800 down and 200 up. and I am in small town in Upstate NY.

Glad it is working. With my 720, which is obviously a bit different I do not use their software on my MB Air. I use the Mac native stuff. I can use it with VPN (Cisco Client) on the Mac OS side and it also establishes a VPN for my guest OS (Win XP) running under VM Ware Fusion. I tried the software that came with the modem on another Mac Book (not Leopard OS) and it doesnt work as well, especially with VPN.