Dell Laptop With Built In Verizon Wireless Broadband
I just setup a new Dell D630 laptop (see full config at my laptop buying guide) for a client with the built in Verizon Wireless Broadband service.
I must say I’m very impressed. The option only cost about $100, and is completely built in. If you get the card from Verizon (or any other provider), you have to stick the card in the PC slot with an antenna sticking up.
On the traditional cards, the antenna typically gets in the way of your wrist when typing. Not so with the Dell built in Verizon option.
Setup was a snap (so simple the client did it himself). When you want to go online, just click the connect button on the software from the system tray and you are online immediately.
Speed is pretty impressive as well. I was getting 1200 down and 200 up. I’d like to see a bit more on the upload side, but I had been told to expect more like 500 - 700 on the download, so I was pretty happy overall.
The key thing to remember with an wireless broadband service like Verizon’s is security. You are wide open on the internet without the protection of a hardware firewall! Therefore, a good quality - no, a great quality software firewall.
I have recently been installing ZoneAlarm’s highly touted Internet Security Suite and been very happy with it. ZoneAlarm was one of the first companies to release a software firewall in the early days of the web (shortly after Al Gore invented it…)
The ergonomics, convenience, price and performance of this Dell laptop built in option make me give the Verizon Wireless Broadband a big thumbs up.
Just don’t forget the firewall.
