Reliable 3G wlan card to put into computer

**doncarbone** · 11-01-2010, 06:55 PM

A few months back I purchased a (****ty) Compaq Mini Netbook from Rogers that had a built in wireless 3G card + the SIM card that Rogers gave me that I pay for month-to-month.

Well let's just say the netbook is **** and i want to put my SIM card into a custom built computer.

Where can I get a 3G network card that I can connect to my motherboard which will be able to read the SIM card?

Also, for the sake of improving reception, is there a way I can connect via USB, or splice on antennas that will improve the 3G signal?

Thank you!

**doncarbone** · 11-01-2010, 07:17 PM

http://www.pricebat.ca/ROGERS-BROADB...RD.p_10116907/

can a card like this be plugged into the PCI-E slot on a standard desktop-size motherboard?

(ps i would never actually buy this particular one as its way too overpriced, but u get the idea)

**Chester** · 11-01-2010, 08:57 PM

No, thats a mini-PCIE card, which means the connector is different.

You will most likely be limited to a USB 3g modem on a desktop board, I don't think you can get PCI or PCI-e 3g modem cards, only USB, mini-PCI-e or expresscard34/54.

**doncarbone** · 11-01-2010, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by Chester

No, thats a mini-PCIE card, which means the connector is different.

You will most likely be limited to a USB 3g modem on a desktop board, I don't think you can get PCI or PCI-e 3g modem cards, only USB, mini-PCI-e or expresscard34/54.

Thought this was the case...but got me thinking..is there an adapter that can connect mini-PCIE to the larger PCIE slot for desktops?

**SNOtwistR** · 11-01-2010, 09:13 PM

you could use something like this http://www.soarland.com/MiniPCI-E_to...oduct-340.html to put in your desktop pc and use the card from your notebook or buy an intel mini pci-e modem for your sim SNO

**doncarbone** · 11-01-2010, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by SNOtwistR

you could use something like this http://www.soarland.com/MiniPCI-E_to...oduct-340.html to put in your desktop pc and use the card from your notebook or buy an intel mini pci-e modem for your sim SNO

Thank you -- i'll look out for a reasonably price solution like this and post it if i find it

anyone else who's already found something please let me know!

**Chester** · 11-01-2010, 09:29 PM

Or this one, which looks pretty interesting!

http://www.hwtools.net/adapter/mp2a.html

Thats one fine looking adapter card, could be pretty interesting!

Might have to pick one up for my router server

**doncarbone** · 11-01-2010, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by Chester

Or this one, which looks pretty interesting!

http://www.hwtools.net/adapter/mp2a.html

Thats one fine looking adapter card, could be pretty interesting!

Might have to pick one up for my router server

Woah thanks dude -- that thing does look pretty awesome...do u think that the Mini PCI-E 3G card has to be a specific kind (ie with a specific carrier, in my case Rogers) for this to work?

EDIT: Dont see how i can buy this off the website anywhere tho...

**SNOtwistR** · 11-01-2010, 09:38 PM

pretty well any 3g mini-pci-e modem should work as long as sim card slot is integrated in the card and that buy it now button on the hwtools website looks good hehe

**doncarbone** · 11-01-2010, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by SNOtwistR

pretty well any 3g mini-pci-e modem should work as long as sim card slot is integrated in the card and that buy it now button on the hwtools website looks good hehe

haha ya its pretty shiny on second glance

i'll see what else is out there and get this **** on the road. i wasn't planning on building a PC for the car (just using the existing netbook), but its honestly GARBAGE and i'm basically only paying rogers for the 3G plan, not the netbook itself, so not much of an issue

would the 2.4/5.8G antenna work with the 3G mini pci-e card? how much will it improve the range?