3G / EVDO Options for Apple's MacBook Air

Because of our reputation as the "Mac + EVDO Experts", many people have asked us to do a definitive article on what does and does not work with the MacBook Air.

Though we've started a thread on EVDOforums, we've decided to do this pictorial article to show how well the most popular EVDO options fit and work with the MacBook Air.

UPDATE: 04/29/08 -- Many Mac users are finding this page as a result of recent article detailing a hack to get an EVDO device installed into a MacBook Air. This article is really for those who want  EVDO or HSDPA with their MacBook Air with no hacking involved!

UPDATE: 04/07/08 -- Sprint announced the new Compass 597 USB EVDO modem that replaces the 595U. The Compass 597 is expected sometime in April, but we're already tested one and it worked great with the MacBook Air! In fact, its the first Sprint device to ship with the new Sprint SmartView connection manager software that runs on Mac OSX -- including Leopard on MacBook Air!

The Franklin CDU680 inserts properly and works without issue, but will not flip straight up.

Verizon's UM150 inserts properly and works without issue. OSX Leopard also appears to have built-in WWAN support!

Sierra Wireless AirCard 595U for both Sprint and Verizon, inserts properly and works great.

Bonus: Since the AT&T 875U and 881U use the same USB 'shell' as the 595U, those devices will also fit/work well

Novatel U727 / USB727 only inserts into USB port about one-third as far as it should, and might work for some but not others. We recommend the use of a USB extension cable or the USB flex adapter sold by 3gstore.com

 

Novatel U720 / USB720 barely reaches the USB port and does not insert at all. We recommend the use of the USB flex adapter sold by 3gstore.com

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What about ExpressCards like the Sprint's EX720 and 597E, or Verizon's V740 and KPC680? One solution is the combination of the USB Flex adapter and the  MicroUSB adapter both sold at 3Gstore. That combo allowed our EX720 expresscard to work perfectly as shown below:

 

 

Another option (shown below) is the SIIG USB to ExpressCard adapter also sold by 3gstore.

 

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One last option we'll mention is best suited for those folks who want to provide internet connectivity to MORE than just your MacBook Air... like maybe multiple Macs, or your iPhone or iPod Touch perhaps? The solution is to operate your compatible EVDO device attached to a Cradlepoint router like the PHS300, shown below.