MacBook Air with USB727 from Verizon Wireless
MacBook Air and USB727
When it comes to working in the cafe (or in the hotel room, or in any public place), it’s great to have my MacBook Air and to be able to get online at any time, with or without WiFi available. I have found that with a few caveats, the USB727 works great!
Caution: Handle with Care. When online, put the laptop on the edge of the desk or table. Every time I set the laptop down in the middle of the table or desk, (where the USB727 touches the table beneath it), the card loses contact with the computer just long enough to throw me offline. Do that about 2 times and you’re questioning your sanity!
To solve the Handle With Care issue, use a USB extender cable (mine is unnecessarily long, but it works just fine). Unexpected Benefit of using USB extender cable: antenna positioning is much easier! If you are near a window, put the USB727 in the window, and you can move the laptop to any convenient location nearby.
Note: Battery Time Reduced. Battery time is reduced by maybe an hour or so when online. To me, it’s worth it. But I wanted to mention it. You ARE transmitting, and transmitting takes power. Hence, shorter battery life (than even WiFi).
Get The Latest Drivers
You can get the latest software from Verizon Wireless: VZAccess Download Site (http://vzam.net/).
I installed Verizon’s VZAccess Manager software to get the drivers for the USB727 on my MacBook, then promptly stopped using it. Instead, I use Mac OS X’s network connection software (built into Mac OS X) to connect.
Connect With System Preferences
Connect by selecting System Preferences > Network (leave everything blank), click on the Connect button. See this post for complete instructions:
Summary
Verizon’s coverage is great in my travels, and it’s a nice backup to my iPhone! Yes… I use AT&T and Verizon. It’s really a great combo for places where one company has better coverage than the other (it happens, current advertising campaigns notwithstanding)!
I hope this helps anybody considering the MacBook Air / USB727 combination. I’m glad to have both in my laptop briefcase!
For more photos, see:
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:31 am
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
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:20 am
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.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:29 am
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..)
July 24th, 2008 at 11:49 am
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.
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:35 pm
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October 1st, 2008 at 9:56 am
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November 3rd, 2008 at 4:43 pm
[...] I recommended using a USB extension cable. While this works really well, some people do not like carrying the cable around while traveling. I [...]