Apple doesn’t build 3G into their laptops. AT&T doesn’t allow tethering on the iPhone and iPad. What do Mac owners do when they want Internet access while traveling?
There are a few mobile Internet connections available for Mac users that want to use their iPad while on the go. One is the Novatel MiFi line of Mobile Intelligent HotSpots. There are a few versions of the device, including a Verizon MiFi 2200 and the unlocked MiFi 2372 that works for other carriers. It’s a simple hand-held device with a battery life of about four hours.
The MiFi allows users to connect their MacBook Pro and iPhone, along with a few other devices while only paying for one 3G connection. The iPad 3G connection is priced at $15-30 per month, but it’s additional to the price you’re paying for your iPhone and MacBook internet connection.
Novatel will soon release a MiFi with a GPS add on. This will allow MiFi owners to geo-tag photos with the coordinates of where they took the photos.It’s a great feature that will improve the Novatel MiFi experience.
The Novatel MiFi also works with VoIP software like Skype and Google Voice with Gizmo5 integration. It will allow iPhone users to get rid of their AT&T voice plans and focus solely on data, talking through VoIP connection instead of the voice plan. If you’re an iPad owner and don’t want to pay extra for a 3G connection, check out the MiFi device for a 3G connection that you can share along with the same speeds you’ve come to expect from a 3G connection.
If you really enjoy a great internet connection, check out the Sprint Overdrive 3G/4G mobile hotspot. It’s an additional fee but it’s the fastest wireless connection available. It’s 4G, meaning it works on a WiMAX connection where available. Sprint and Clearwire teamed to launch WiMAX in 33 U.S. markets, including Chicago, Las Vegas and Philadelphia. If you’re a Mac owner in one of these areas, check out CLEAR internet service, its WiMAX and there’s a hotspot option with them. Simply plug a USB modem into the CLEAR Spot and you’ve got CLEAR service for up to eight devices. It connects to the network anywhere there is WiMAX, no roaming. The devices for 4G are more expensive, but for the speeds, it’s totally worth it.
So, there’s a ton of options for iPad owners when looking to connect to the internet. Quantum-Wireless.com has a complete selection of MiFi devices, including the Verizon MiFi, the MiFi 2372, which works with North American frequencies, the MiFi 2352, which works on European frequencies and the Sprint version. With the Sprint and Verizon editions, you would need to get a contract with the specific carrier, the unlocked versions mean you take an activated data SIM card and insert it into the device and off you go. The unlocked version works with SIM cards from AT&T, Rogers Wireless and other top carriers.
There are also the accessories like the MiFi car charger and additional MiFi 2372 battery and MiFi 2200 battery.
