Laptop Thoughts: News & Reviews on Laptops, Netbooks, Slates, and More.

Be sure to register in our forums and post your comments - we want to hear from you!


Android Thoughts

Loading feed...

Windows Phone Thoughts

Loading feed...

Digital Home Thoughts

Loading feed...





All posts tagged "mifi"


Thursday, December 2, 2010

US Laptop Data Plans: A Clear Winner? Confused?

Posted by Michael Knutson in "Laptop Thoughts Talk" @ 01:00 AM

http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/01/...rice-and-value/

"Now that Verizon's gone official with its LTE pricing for an initial launch in some 38 markets this Sunday, we wanted to take a quick look at how it compares to the other players in the laptop data market -- after all, how much you're paying month to month can be just as big of a determining factor (if not a bigger one) in choosing a carrier than the speeds you're seeing. So how do Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, Clear, and Rover stack up? Let's break it down."

A clear winner? The answer is that nobody is really sure, and yes, I am confused. Downstream speeds (in theory) up to 21 Mbps, winner T-Mobile. Best price for unlimited data, $39.99 per month from T-Mobile. Coverage? Nobody is really sure, as the carriers are providing apples vs. oranges numbers, for example 282 launched markets vs. 250 million people covered. Huh? Some use speed throttling. Some provide/create mobile hotspots (MiFi), but not T-Mobile. Verizon does not have USB devices that work with Macs, and doesn't offer an unlimited usage plan. Sprint (EV-DO) charges $59.99 per month for 5GB, and 1GB of overage usage will cost you another $50 while the maximum price per GB with TMo (HSPA+) is a whopping $124.95. If I had to pick a plan, it'd be T-Mobile's contract-free unlimited plan for $39.99 per month. Anything less than an unlimited plan, beware those overage costs - a 200MB plan can be used up VERY quickly at the speeds offered.


Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...

Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...

Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...

Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...

Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...

Sponsored links