Ah, is that all? heh

Not to mention better performance and battery life considering anything expresscard is likely to interface via the PCIE bus and thus doesn't waste precious cpu cycles.

USB host controllers are controlled by the CPU and as such have lower thoroughput than competing technologies with hardware bus mastering (Firewire)
PCIE Is hardware mastered and as such, will save precious power over a usb port, and being bus mastered instead of software, it will always be working at peak efficiency whereas USB is fairly inefficient being let down by it's ties to software.

But um, a modem shouldn't make a performance difference either ExpressCard or USB as the bandwidth you'd get through a modem (300k/sec at most), is well below the theoretical maximum of both.

Also, how much battery life difference are we talking, a few minutes? Or something substantial like 15 minutes?

ExpressCard is great and all, but look at it from the providers point of view - USB device = works on every computer, done. So I wouldn't blame the telcos for not bothering with making an ExpressCard, let alone a Mac compatible one.

There are mac compatible express cards.

I can't be sure what the difference is, it depends on the hardware. could be a few minutes could be 10 depending on their choice between a hardware solution or a software driven adio.

It's not the bandwidth that's the issue, it's the effciency. I know 300k/s is nothing but with PCIE you've got a better chance of it worling well all the time.

USB like the cheap k-mart stereos of the interface world compared to other more specialised interfaces.

USB (like the cheap shit stereos) advertise their peak efficiency ( you remember those things that were allegedly 200W PMPO Right?) whereas others like express (which is pci Express) or FireWire's advertised performance is a constant.

It's all down to me being a picky bastard, given the choice i'll take the most efficient option.

i picked up the usb one y'day- its sweet!!

took a while to get it going though- had to manually uninstall the vodafone software and reinstall it before i could get it going. but all well now.

not so keen on the 2 year commitment, but its not too much cash overall cf with what's currently available.

Hurray something cheaper than telstra

Rather than go Express-card, I reckon the best way to setup the above-mentioned dongle usb modem is to have the loose 'white box aerial' end sticky-velcro'd to the lid of the laptop, and then the usb end plugged into your spare side port. So you just open the laptop, plug in the modem, stick the other end to the back of the open lid somewhere, and you're away without it getting in the way or having it hang loose, sit on your leg, etc.

This thread has gone a little off-topic.

What happened to the Optus part of the headline?

The Optus website shows the following:

Plan Name Monthly Access Data Limit
Standalone Price Bundle Price^
‘yes’ Starter $34.99 $24.99 400MB
‘yes’ Classic $49.99 $39.99 2GB


Bundles require a 24 month contract with either an Optus home phone or mobile phone contract.

Modems are extra but if you enter into a 12 to 24 month plan can be had for between $0 and $10.

Full details available on the Optus website

problem for me with the optus plan is that you never own the modem, and need to keep paying $5/m even after your contact ends for it.

the voda usb is yours to keep, fully paid on plan cessation, and all ready unlocked, and not linked to any bundle.

I hear 3 are announcing 1GB for $14.95 tomorrow, fingers crossed that its true.

that's a great price, but its a shame about the roaming charges, which can be huge if your not careful.

Just got this Vodafone plan today for my new iPhone i just got... $39 for the 5gig s, USB modem for my MBP & the plan also allows Standard calls at the rate of 1c/second and 20c flagfall, Standard TXT 25c - all bundled with the data plan (for those who don't call out much, i don't) So you can just purchase the data plan for your iphone & still be able to make calls & SS's for the standard fee.

Pretty damn sweet deal imo.

awesome- does it work ok for the iphone?

i didn't even realise you could have voice calls with it-doh!

that makes it even better!

Vodafone have published the deal...
http://www.vodafone.com.au/Business/...band/index.htm

Poor old Tassy

Stuck with sTeelstra 3G "service"