GSM Modem

[wannabeconvert]

I am looking to buy a new laptop within the next few months and put the iBook and Powerbook on the list of things to explore.

Since I travel to Europe on a regular basis and since I already have a contract with T-Mobile, I am curious if there is any known GSM modem for apple laptops? I saw that I may be able to connect my SonyEricsson phone via bluetooth and use it as a modem together with a no-t-zones data contract, but I would prefer something that could stay in the laptop for the times when there is no WiFi network available.

 

[PatrickF]

I've never done anything like this myself but I know that you can get PCMCIA GPRS cards for laptops that will do what you want.

Note though that the iBook and the new MacBook Pro don't have PCMCIA slots so if you wanted to take this route you would need a PowerBook.

 

[wannabeconvert]

I've never done anything like this myself but I know that you can get PCMCIA GPRS cards for laptops that will do what you want.

Note though that the iBook and the new MacBook Pro don't have PCMCIA slots so if you wanted to take this route you would need a PowerBook.

Thanks Patrick,

I wasn't aware that Macs have PCMCIA slots at all...
That would certainly solve the problem if the standars cards for GSM etc worked with a mac.

 

[miniConvert]

http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/Dispatcher?menuid=plans_webnwalk_proplans&chosenPricePlan=pmt

Compatible with Macs? I don't know, but the Vodafone version (made by the same company) is. Vodafone also do a Pay as you Go version, with data rates that will make you want to crawl under a rug and die.

Apart from the data tariffs being cheaper with a datacard it may just be easier to stick to using a handset as a GPRS modem. You'd normally just pair up and then dial *99# from the computer. 3G is growing rapidly in Europe now so I'd suggest 3G capability unless you want to be stuck at speeds in the 40kbps's.

Also, if you wanted a data tariff but for some reason had problems getting the PCMCIA card to work in a Mac I believe you should be able to pop the SIM card into a compatible mobile phone and use the modem-over-bluetooth route to still get cheap data.