Anyone use a wireless broadband card in their T61p

[Greg Gebhardt]

I am in the field more and more and need a dependable highspeed internet connection. I am a ATT/Cingular customer and would like to stick to their services (3G).

Which cards will work in my T61p?

Also how well do they perform compared to my WiFi connection at home and office?

[short101]

If you want an inbuilt wan card, then you need the aerial already installed. If you dont have one, then your pretty much out of luck. Then you need to find out which cards are supported for your model (from the IBM spare parts web site) and then you have to pay three times its real worth to get it from IBM, because IBM will only let you install "approved" parts (this is done via a bios check which will refuse to boot your thinkpad if a "non-approved" card is installed. Much easier to get a usb or express card modem.

[Crunch]

Greg, I just wanted to confirm that you have to have any WWAN card installed already. They cannot be ordered and installed after the fact, so to speak. Do you travel a lot internationally? If not, consider a Sprint EVDO Rev. A card. Their data (NOT voice) network is better than both AT&T's and Verizon's. I have traveled the most in my life (domestically and internationally) in 2007, and it's amazing where I got not only a signal, and not only EVDO, but EVDO Rev. A with Sprint.

I see you're in Jacksonville. I can tell you that AT&T's 3G (HSDPA) network is excellent in ALL of Florida, so if you only need it locally, you'll be fine. In both Northern, as well as Southern California, it's a whole other ballgame, for example.

One more thing about the WWAN card. If you get one (through ebay, for example) and it ends up being a Verizon Sierra card, you CAN switch it out with an AT&T one! There is an excellent instructional video which shows exactly how to replace the card and install the SIM tray holder.

[Greg Gebhardt]

Greg, I just wanted to confirm that you have to have any WWAN card installed already. They cannot be ordered and installed after the fact, so to speak. Do you travel a lot internationally? If not, consider a Sprint EVDO Rev. A card. Their data (NOT voice) network is better than both AT&T's and Verizon's. I have traveled the most in my life (domestically and internationally) in 2007, and it's amazing where I got not only a signal, and not only EVDO, but EVDO Rev. A with Sprint.

I see you're in Jacksonville. I can tell you that AT&T's 3G (HSDPA) network is excellent in ALL of Florida, so if you only need it locally, you'll be fine. In both Northern, as well as Southern California, it's a whole other ballgame, for example.

One more thing about the WWAN card. If you get one (through ebay, for example) and it ends up being a Verizon Sierra card, you CAN switch it out with an AT&T one! There is an excellent instructional video which shows exactly how to replace the card and install the SIM tray holder.

Yes I know all too well that retro installing a WWAN card is not pratical. Maybe I did not make myself clear and would want the ATT 3G HSDPA for local use in the state of Florida. You seem to have experinece with the Florida 3G, others have told me the same that their is excellent 3G service here.

There are different size express cards are there not. I think my TP61p has a combo PCMCIA and Expresscard in one opening on the laptop. Which card fits mine?

[Crunch]

Yes I know all too well that retro installing a WWAN card is not pratical. Maybe I did not make myself clear and would want the ATT 3G HSDPA for local use in the state of Florida. You seem to have experinece with the Florida 3G, others have told me the same that their is excellent 3G service here.

There are different size express cards are there not. I think my TP61p has a combo PCMCIA and Expresscard in one opening on the laptop. Which card fits mine?

That's the case most of the time unless you get a custom configuration through lenovo, yes. One PCMCIA, one Express. I tried both the Sierra PCMCIA 875 (they have the 881 now), and the OptionMax GT 3.6 for the PCMCIA slot, and they worked about equally as well. OptionMax also has an Express card version, so it really depends on your preferences. Think down the line, as to whether the likelihood is greater that you will need the PCMCIA or Express slot unoccupied for something you may need in the future. You can also tether to a 3G PDA or cellphone.

I was in WPB, FTL, and Miami for a week, and I was NEVER on GSM, only on 3G. Now that's deployment. I tethered to my Treo 750 and got around 1Mbps down and I was able to still receive and talk on the phone WHILE the data connection was open. Gotta love GSM-based W-CDMA!

[Greg Gebhardt]

Thanks Crunch.

I am going for the express card OptionMax 3.6. I think everyone is going over to the ExpressCards in the newer laptops and this would be my only need for either of these slots. So if I trade laptops, this card will be able to be used in a newer model.

I will head to the local ATT store for the two year contract putting the card at $49. I am lucky that my area is covered my 3G!

[cj3209]

Just for others who are interested, I use a Sprint Mobile Broadband card - PCMCIA (PC CARD) that is basically a Sierra Wireless Air Card 595 for work purposes.

Once the software/drivers are installed, it connects flawlessly. Not quite as fast as my work broadband but it works well for surfing/downloading.

I use both a T60p and Z61t and it works flawlessly with both.

CJ

[Crunch]

Just for others who are interested, I use a Sprint Mobile Broadband card - PCMCIA (PC CARD) that is basically a Sierra Wireless Air Card 595 for work purposes.

I use both a T60p and Z61t and it works flawlessly with both.

I have the Pantech PX-500, which works well, but there are quite a few people who say it's crap. lol...What speeds do you get on average, and where in SoCal? Sierra makes excellent cards for both CDMA, and GSM/W-CDMA.

[cj3209]

I work in downtown LA but roam around a bit in the area. It really varies depending on where I am but I think I get around 300-700 kb down and around 128-250 kb up which isn't too shabby. I'll have to measure it sometime for more exact figures.

CJ