Wireless PC Card vs. Smartphone - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

sadatx · 07-26-2006, 11:07 AM

I want something I can take with me on the road and check my e-mail with at anytime. So basically I've boiled it down to the new Treo, a blackberry, or a Wireless PC card. Any suggestions?

Mephisto2 · 07-30-2006, 10:14 PM

Well, I have all three and I have to travel on a regular basis.

It all really depends upon what email you need to check, and what you need to do.

What I mean by this is, if you are simply "checking" email (ie, personal and/or business), in order to just stay in touch, then a Treo/Blackberry is fine. They are small, convenient and easy to use. The little keys are a bit of a pain, but you get used to them. And of course, as you are not really typing to much (remember, you're just "keeping in touch", right?), then the small keys don't really affect you too much.

On the other hand, if you actually have to "work" when on the road, then a wireless PC card is much more useful. One word of clarification here though. We need to differentiate between a wireless card that provides simple WiFi WLAN connectivity, and a wireless data card that uses a 3G or 4G cellular network.

The former simply allows you to connect to an 802.11 based WLAN, typically in a "hotspot"; think Starbucks or Borders bookshop. The latter allows you to get access to the Internet (albeit at slightly slower speeds that are likely used to) anywhere your cellular network has coverage. You could be sitting on a bus and get access, something that is currently impossible with WiFi based hotspots.

Either card is useful. However, the cellular card probably gives you more "on demand" access (assuming you subscribe to a good provider), as you don't have to search out a hotspot or cafe somewhere.

The reason these cards would potentially be better than a Treo/Blackberry depends on the work or activity you will undertake whilst on the road. As I alluded to above, if you actually need to work, read/compose emails and generally do stuff, then a fully blown laptop (with access provided by the card) is obviously better than just a little dinky Treo/Blackberry.

I have both. I use my Treo to stay in touch with my enterprise email. It allows me to always be "online", which is a mixed blessing really. But I usually only use it to monitor my email and if I need to do something heavy, I immediately head home or open up the laptop.

Mr Mephisto

07-26-2006, 11:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
sadatx Psycho	Wireless PC Card vs. Smartphone I want something I can take with me on the road and check my e-mail with at anytime. So basically I've boiled it down to the new Treo, a blackberry, or a Wireless PC card. Any suggestions?

07-30-2006, 10:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	Well, I have all three and I have to travel on a regular basis. It all really depends upon what email you need to check, and what you need to do. What I mean by this is, if you are simply "checking" email (ie, personal and/or business), in order to just stay in touch, then a Treo/Blackberry is fine. They are small, convenient and easy to use. The little keys are a bit of a pain, but you get used to them. And of course, as you are not really typing to much (remember, you're just "keeping in touch", right?), then the small keys don't really affect you too much. On the other hand, if you actually have to "work" when on the road, then a wireless PC card is much more useful. One word of clarification here though. We need to differentiate between a wireless card that provides simple WiFi WLAN connectivity, and a wireless data card that uses a 3G or 4G cellular network. The former simply allows you to connect to an 802.11 based WLAN, typically in a "hotspot"; think Starbucks or Borders bookshop. The latter allows you to get access to the Internet (albeit at slightly slower speeds that are likely used to) anywhere your cellular network has coverage. You could be sitting on a bus and get access, something that is currently impossible with WiFi based hotspots. Either card is useful. However, the cellular card probably gives you more "on demand" access (assuming you subscribe to a good provider), as you don't have to search out a hotspot or cafe somewhere. The reason these cards would potentially be better than a Treo/Blackberry depends on the work or activity you will undertake whilst on the road. As I alluded to above, if you actually need to work, read/compose emails and generally do stuff, then a fully blown laptop (with access provided by the card) is obviously better than just a little dinky Treo/Blackberry. I have both. I use my Treo to stay in touch with my enterprise email. It allows me to always be "online", which is a mixed blessing really. But I usually only use it to monitor my email and if I need to do something heavy, I immediately head home or open up the laptop. Mr Mephisto