Buyer beware (JAM's wireless thread continued)

[Timberly]

While reading the "JAM's wireless fund" thread, I learned something new. You can buy a cellular card for your laptop that will allow you to get on the internet anywhere you can get a cellular signal. Knowing I had a laptop in route, I was especially interested in this. Forum member jasngrady who works for cingular was kind enough to call me and explain everything.

Fri after work I went to a cingular store, signed a two yr contract, was given the software, and sent on my merry way. The cellular card is $200 with a $100 mail in rebate. (more than I wanted to pay but worth it in the end). I got home with visions of live updates from any tournament I go to, dancing through my head. I followed the instructions, downloaded the software, rebooted, and put the cellular card in. Nothing, nada, zip. It wasn't reading the cellular card.

Instead of heading to Valley Forge at noon on Sat, I was in route to a cingular store. When the young lady helping me removed the plastic card that comes in the slot from the manufacturer and put it on the counter, a gentleman behind her said "that's your problem" and pointed to the plastic card.

It seems that Dell and a few others have changed the slot on their new computers. The width is the same so the cellular & wi fi cards will still slide into the slot but they will not connect because they've made the insides smaller. The guy said that it really sucked for them, the cellular companies because it was making them look bad. He estimated that it was going to be December before they had cards to fit the slots.

I asked about an adapter...surely there had to be an adapter! I was thinking something around $20 to maybe even $60.... He quoted over a $100. I just paid $200 for the cellular card and now I was going to have to pay another $100 just to get it to work. It's not the cell phone companies fault, but I was certainly screwed!

Luckily cingular gives you 30 days to back out of your contract which I did. (less than 24 hrs after signing the contract)

Buyer beware... if you have a new computer and you want to do this, you're going to be paying. Below is a pic of the plastic card from my computer. If you get one that looks like this, the cellular car will not work without an adapter.

 

[Snapshot9]

If

You have been following companies in the news lately, you would know that Dell has serious financial problems of late. All the hot deals on Dell's computers are a result of trying to solve Dell's financial problems, which it hasn't done. The company is becoming dangerously close to the one and done mode, so I would be real careful about doing any serious business with Dell right now. You could say that Dell haS overextended themselves a great deal, and now is suffering the consequences of those actions.

 

[Timberly]

You have been following companies in the news lately, you would know that Dell has serious financial problems of late. All the hot deals on Dell's computers are a result of trying to solve Dell's financial problems, which it hasn't done. The company is becoming dangerously close to the one and done mode, so I would be real careful about doing any serious business with Dell right now. You could say that Dell haS overextended themselves a great deal, and now is suffering the consequences of those actions.

The computer itself was free... a promotional item. The way I understood it from the store mgr at Cingular, is that Dell is not the only one doing this to their computers. As with most things in technology today, it's just something else to make smaller.

 

[Nostroke]

You have been following companies in the news lately, you would know that Dell has serious financial problems of late. All the hot deals on Dell's computers are a result of trying to solve Dell's financial problems, which it hasn't done. The company is becoming dangerously close to the one and done mode, so I would be real careful about doing any serious business with Dell right now. You could say that Dell haS overextended themselves a great deal, and now is suffering the consequences of those actions.

Don't count on that too soon.Their market cap is 51 Billion dollars and their market share is unreal. Dell will be around 5 years after Gateway goes under. I do agree that their growth is almost surely over.

 

[matthew]

You have been following companies in the news lately, you would know that Dell has serious financial problems of late. All the hot deals on Dell's computers are a result of trying to solve Dell's financial problems, which it hasn't done. The company is becoming dangerously close to the one and done mode, so I would be real careful about doing any serious business with Dell right now. You could say that Dell haS overextended themselves a great deal, and now is suffering the consequences of those actions.

Even if they weren't in financial trouble, there are better computers on the market.

 

[RBLilly]

Verizon Wireless

Should have went with Verizon Wireless, they are more reliable and have a faster speeds anyway.

 

[Nostroke]

Even if they weren't in financial trouble, there are better computers on the market.

And I can assure you that the Fujitsu p1120 isn't one of them. I own that piece of crap and i usually cant connect wi-fi wise 60% of the time when everyone else can. I went over my cell minutes 2 months in a row talking to CS and i never had before or since. It is small and light though. Just a great paperweight to lug around for no reason.

If anyone wants to give me $400 for it, the shipping is on me!!

 

[Timberly]

Should have went with Verizon Wireless, they are more reliable and have a faster speeds anyway.

That's still a possibility since I currently have no plan. I went with cingular because I just switched my cellular service to them. I get a discount on my service through work and the roll over plan was very attractive to me. I hate talking on the phone so I rarely go over my minutes. I use them the most when I go out of town to a tournament or when I go home to visit family & friends. Those are the times that I've gone over my minutes but if I roll over unused min during the times I'm at home, I should have enough minutes saved up to not have to worry about that.

I didn't research verizon for the cellular card because cingular offered everything that I needed... the big plus was that I can change my service from month to month. My laptop usage will be more like my cell phone... I'll use it mostly when I'm out of town and since I know when I'll be out of town, I can change my plan accordingly. I'll have to look into the other services just to see what they offer.

It'll probably come down to whoever gets the updated cellular card to fit my computer first. I was really hoping to have this set up before the Open so that I could do some live updates but unless they have wi fi at the convention center, that doesn't look possible.

Pool tournaments was the biggest reason for my doing this to begin with. A lot of the players are pretty bad about providing their friends & families with updates. I know I would've loved to have had someone doing updates when I was seeing a pool player. People appreciate it and I enjoy doing it. This all just happened... I'll eventually figure out a feasible way to do all of this.

 

[bells]

DEll

Don't count on that too soon.Their market cap is 51 Billion dollars and their market share is unreal. Dell will be around 5 years after Gateway goes under. I do agree that their growth is almost surely over.

I have a Dell computer and I must say it is a perty good deal for the money. After I got my computer I came to realize that dell makes the computers to order in CHINA. After I oredered my comp it wass less than a week and i recieved it.
Timberly thanks for the heads up on posssible problems that could come up.............

 

[rackmsuckr]

Hi Timberly,

I just bought the Verizon wireless card, but my understanding is that it uses data minutes, not cell minutes?? Anyway, I have tied up my laptop all day trying to capture IPT videos to my HD, so I haven't installed the card yet. Haven't needed wireless this weekend yet or there would be a bigger rush!

I also have a Toshiba mini-laptop for work, but they just sent me a Dell replacement, so I will have to see if I can load it on that one as well. Thanks for taking the time to warn us.

Verizon snail mailed me some huge antenna. I thought it went onto the card but it looks like there is a big old magnet there for attaching to your car roof, which isn't gonna work too well, seeing as how I have a ragtop convertible, lol. They also included a cable for something. I will have to investigate what that does too.

 

[Hal]

Even if they weren't in financial trouble, there are better computers on the market.

Give some examples please. And why.

 

[Timberly]

I just bought the Verizon wireless card, but my understanding is that it uses data minutes, not cell minutes??

Yeah, it uses megabytes or gigabytes... one of those bytes... I'm not good with computers so I don't recall for sure. Cingular provides you with software that helps keep track of how much you've used and what you have left. I would hope that verizon does the same thing. If you go with the unlimited plan, there's really not much to worry about.

 

[Timberly]

Give some examples please. And why.

I'm certainly not computer savvy but barring any well known defects, I would think that his statement is really a matter of opinion. I bought a dell PC last Sept when my puter crashed and I've had zero problems with it. I haven't had my laptop long enough to judge but I would guess that the more people know about computers and what they use them for will be the deciding factor. I've got a friend that's an IT guy for his company and he just bought a dell.

 

[shinyballs]

Dell will be around 5 years after Gateway goes under. I do agree that their growth is almost surely over.

Actually, Gateway sort of already did go under. They were bought by E-machines, but they made it look like Gateway bought them. A friend of mine worked for Gateway and told me about it.

 

[RBLilly]

air time

yes it is data air time with Verizon, and they are right. If you get the unlimited plan then there is nothing to worry about, besides most of us would benefit from the unlimited plan. If you choose not to go unlimited I know we have a number to check yoru minutes and balances. I believe that is #225, but I will double check for you guys.

As far as that antenna for your roof, you could alway put it on your hood or trunk if you wanted to increase your signal in your car. If your in a very rural area this will help. If your in a city, you probably won't need that external antenna at all, but that is your choice.

 

[Snapshot9]

Misc....

As for other computers, 5 years ago I bought the best Compaq had out, and about 3 months ago, it went kaput. That was after I already replaced a couple of parts like a floppy drive that went skitzoid on me.

I happen to have a new E-machines system that I like pretty well, but I have only had it a couple of months. My only irritations have been in going from
Windows '98 (preferred by systems people because of manual options) vs.
XP (preferred by the average user with limited knowledge). Upgrading operating systems is always a pain.

Now, on Cingular, I use to have them on a family plan with my Mom, until we received over a $700 bill one month. After several arguments, printouts, and on the verge of WW3, we ended up paying the bill, and cancelling out the plan, and NEVER will enter their doors again.

Now, I have Cricket, and although it doesn't have the travel options some of the others offer, I am not tied to minutes used, but receive one monthly bill (notified by text message) each month that is the SAME from month to month, with long distance and all the other goodies.

 

[rackmsuckr]

yes it is data air time with Verizon, and they are right. If you get the unlimited plan then there is nothing to worry about, besides most of us would benefit from the unlimited plan. If you choose not to go unlimited I know we have a number to check yoru minutes and balances. I believe that is #225, but I will double check for you guys.

As far as that antenna for your roof, you could alway put it on your hood or trunk if you wanted to increase your signal in your car. If your in a very rural area this will help. If your in a city, you probably won't need that external antenna at all, but that is your choice.

I got the unlimited plan for $59.99/month, but they didn't tell me that the antenna was for the car. I thought it was for inside a building. Would it work there too? I don't really use my laptop in my car much, but maybe I will now more, lol.

What is that little attachment thingy for? It doesn't say it is for the antenna, but maybe it is?

 

[matthew]

Give some examples please. And why.

Another poster said, and to a certain extent they are right, it is a matter of opinion. You should always buy a computer that's best for you, and what your needs are.

I think having a custom built computer has it's advantages. One, the parts are cheaper and easier to get. The only real problem is finding a reputable builder and warranties.

I own a laptop from Dell, from their Inspiron series. I've had alot of hardware problems with it. Drivers, Fans, Batteries, have all gone to crap within a year. That's likely, an individual problem, limited to a case-by-case basis. However, there are alot of people, myself included, that have had problems with their customer service and tech support. The same has been said for Gateway. Likewise, Compaq's are generally had to upgrade.

Honestly, I'd go with an IBM. It's what I had before Dell. Their warranties are comparable to anyone else. Also, their customer service is helpful, as is their tech support. As your computer gets older, upgrades will be a necessity. IBM is gonna be around for awhile, so upgrading won't be a problem. From what reviews at PCworld, Wired etc IBM notebook batteries last longer than HPs, Compaqs, Dells. Their Thinkpad's have a biometric thumbprint scan.

Or you could always go with a Mac. Like the previous poster said, it's a matter of opinion. I'm by no means an expert. I just feel that there is a better computer, with less of a hassle as far as servicablity than Dell.

 

[RBLilly]

Verizon

Yes that antenna would work indoors, but you would have to put it on the outside of the building and run it inside to your laptop, so that would limit your options in doors to like a window or something. It would work though. As far as the attachment I really couldn't tell you unless I saw your complete setup. I don't actually work in the sales department. I work on the network. I am an RF Engineer. My best advise would be to take everything into the store and tell them you want them to show you what all that stuff is for. That is their job, so why not make them do what they are getting paid for!!! That is about the best advise I can give you on that. We normally have good customer service so I would give that a try. That way they can hook you up in person.

 

[RBLilly]

Computers

If you want a good reliable computer for less money, just build it yourself.

Wait, you don't know how to build a computer? That is ok because I know a website that will let you build your computer, and it won't allow you to put parts together that don't fit. In otherwards it is dummy proof. This is the website that I get a lot of computers from because they will put it together, test it, and give you a warranty on the computer.

www.xtechnology.com

I bought a dell laptop and spent a butt load on it a few years ago. I built my buddy a laptop on here and spent like half the money. His is faster and has more memory, and a bigger hard drive. So if I had it to do over again I would choose these guys. The great part is they put it together, and they test it. How can you beat that?