Comments on: MacBook Air with USB727 from Verizon Wireless

By: Easy Solution for USB727 and MacBook Air | Office Cafe

Easy Solution for USB727 and MacBook Air | Office Cafe — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:43:43 +0000

[...] I recommended using a USB extension cable. While this works really well, some people do not like carrying the cable around while traveling. I [...]

By: MacBook Air and USB727 Photos | Office Cafe

MacBook Air and USB727 Photos | Office Cafe — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:23:21 +0000

[...] MacBook Air with USB727 from Verizon Wireless [...]

By: Office Cafe » Blog Archive » MacBook Internet Connection Sharing

Office Cafe » Blog Archive » MacBook Internet Connection Sharing — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:56:05 +0000

[...] MacBook Air with USB727 from Verizon Wireless Tags: Internet Sharing, Mac, Technical This entry was posted on Thursday, August 7th, 2008 at 10:10 pm and is filed under Tutorial. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. [...]

By: Office Cafe » Blog Archive » USB727 on a Mac: How to Connect Using System Preferences

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:35:28 +0000

[...] MacBook Air and the USB727 [...]

By: David

David — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:49:59 +0000

Thanks for the comment. The USB727 does a great job. I have done a lot of traveling with it, as well as using it around town at home.

By: Richmond Wedding Photographer

Richmond Wedding Photographer — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:29:16 +0000

Thanks for sharing the info. I had the 150 card for 24hrs and it did ok, the 727 seems to be better, but then again I’m using it on PC. I’m waiting to get the antenna. The one benefit with the 150 is that it came with a USB extender cable (with 2 jacks on one end, one on the other..)

By: David

David — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:20:44 +0000

Hello EVDOinfo,

Thank you for your comments.

1) Before purchasing the USB727, I checked out the UM150 and decided that the USB727 was sleeker looking than the UM150, but that is totally a matter of personal opinion. I am sure that many will agree with you that the “flip factor” will be worth the slightly larger design of the UM150.

The USB cable is helpful for the reasons that I stated. In addition to making sure that the MacBook Air does not lose the connection when on the desktop, I use the cable to position the USB727 for a better signal while indoors. As you point out, there are other adapters that fit better on the MacBook Air.

For me, the USB cable is just as easy to carry as one of the “booster antennas” that you mention. Others may benefit from your suggestion.

2) The shorter battery life does vary with location. I am not always close to a cell tower, so at times I have experienced a lower battery life.

3) I agree that having the Cradlepoint device could be cool to have. I’m sure that most of my Mac readers realize that built into Mac OS X, internet connection sharing is just a click away. You can set up a password-protected mini network. But I am sure that many readers will choose to set up the Cradlepoint. One benefit of using a Cradlepoint is the ability to set it up and move around the room with relative freedom.

Your site has a lot of helpful information on it. Best wishes, and thanks for stopping by.

By: EVDOinfo

EVDOinfo — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:31:33 +0000

i’ve got a few things worth sharing with you.

1) the UM150 would have been a better Verizon USB modem for MacBook Air since OSX Leopard has built in drivers for it which means you don’t have to use VZAM bloatware. The UM150 also fits without need of USB cable, and rotates up out of the way rather that stick straight out.

2) If you are seeing that much shorter battery life, I think you suffer from weak signal which causes modem to draw maximum power. Adding an external high gain antenna to the USB727 will improve signal and reduce power draw. Better signal could also mean better speeds. High gain antennas don’t have to be big things mounted outdoors, there are small, portable “booster antennas” that travel well — fitting in laptop bags and briefcases.

3) most everyone will get a USB EVDO modem so they can provide internet access to a single computer (like laptops)… but some folks need to share their EVDO with more than one computer, (or perhaps share with their iPhone or iPod Touch, via WiFi)

if that sounds like something you would be interested in, then check out EVDO routers like those from http://www.EVDOinfo.com/cradlepoint

For those interested in 3G options from Sprint and ATT for their MacBook Air, check out http://www.EVDOinfo.com/MacBookAir for lots of photos.

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the EVDO Experts are at http://www.EVDOinfo.com