Is 3G a good thing in your computer?

[samintx]

http://www.intomobile.com/2008/11/26/del...tt-3g.html

I don't know if this is a good deal or not. If it is will Apple have it soon?

[kj4btkljv]

Dell Inspiron Mini 9 now available with built-in AT&T 3G!

Don’t know about you, but I love netbooks and Dell Inspiron Mini 9 is my personal favorite. It has a solid battery (4 cells) and could be ordered with Ubuntu — yes I want Linux on my netbook as I needed it almost solely for writing. However, what I don’t like about Linux is a lack of drivers for 3G cards and that may be the only reason why I’m willing to jump to Windows XP-powered netbook.

Anyway, while I’m on the subject of netbooks and Dell Mini 9, I’m glad to report that now you can grab it [Dell's netbook] along with AT&T 3G. The embedded WWAN solution adds a 7.2 MBps HSPA modem and could make you free as a bird for additional $125. Scrap that, actually when you sign up for a new two year AT&T DataConnect Service plan through www.dell.com/att you get a $120 mail-in rebate, making the 3G-enabled Dell Mini 9 cost only $5 more. You’ll still have to pay for the monthly data usage, but that’s what you want, right?

Jeff

[Wailer]

I suppose I could look it up, but how much is AT&T monthly 3G plan? commitment required?

Most importantly, does it substitute DSL/cable in terms of reliability if you are a mono-computer user?

[onthedownlow]

It depends on the situation and user. For some it works...and definitely for types that only need convenience and a power-on-the-thing-and-surf mentality who just 'want it to work' (thinking corporate execs here).

After speaking with people, I usually recommend for most to strongly consider (if available) a broadband card/dongle that is acceptable to them, aesthetically, so that they can use the 3G service on any other computer they desire too. Most people love the idea of using the service with other devices other than being restricted.

You can always switch the service to another 'card' whenever the end-of-life of your, say Mini-9, computer...but it's inconvenient.

I've had several machines with built-in broadband capabilities (i.e. OQO, Sony VAIO UX-series, etc.)...but I would never activate them and simply would stick with my Sprint Merlin EV-DO ExpressCard to port between all of the other machines that I use (including PCMCIA and USB adapters, as well as a battery-powered EV-DO wireless router). Virtually any machine I desire can be online in minutes...rather than being forced to use only one machine (which may be very limited in power) at any given time.