Flirting With Mobile Broadband

I'm dangerously close to committing to mobile broadband. AT&T boasts its 3G/Edge network supports up to 1.4Mbps downloads and 800Kbps uploads. Monthly fees look to run $59.99, but I could likely 86 my PDA data plan, which would save me $25 a month. Thus, the difference would run only $35 more per month.

Frequently I find myself requiring Internet access while on the road and in between client calls. Mobile access to maps and email, and remote access to client systems, is becoming a necessity.

I'd like to purchase a new laptop with a built-in cellular data card. Dell's Latitude's can, and I think I could configure a ThinkPad the same way.

Apple's don't, and neither does Apple natively support docking stations, so that option's out. Sorry. It's a better OS, but I live in the real business world.

Just the other day I was waiting for a client to arrive. While parked outside (using my crappy Sempron-powered Compaq Presario) I was able to join the client's wireless network (that I set up, thus I knew the WPA2 key), check and respond to email, and remotely connect to another client's server and set up a shared production calendar.

I knocked off several to-do list items just while waiting ten minutes for the client to show up! And that was using 802.11 borrowed through office walls. Imagine how much more productive I could be with a Ram mount checking email at stop lights (ha!), ordering product in parking lots, etc.! Plus, I'd never have to resort to Web mail again (as everyone from Panera to others block common email ports).