Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)At first I thought this device looked flimsy, but I have to say after a couple of months it's a lot tougher than it looks. Depending on where your USB port is located, it might be safer with some laptops than others. On mine it's located on the right side, near the ENTER key. Needless to say, I've knocked into it from every possible direction, but the modem just pivots in any direction and doesn't break off. That was certainly well thought out!
The card folds up flat, but when you use it, the USB connector piece folds out at a 90 degree angle and plugs into your port. There is also an antenna (approx two inches) that you can extend from the top for better signal. I bought the optional booster antenna, too, but have never needed it.
There are blue dots on the flat side facing the computer that indicate signal strength. The bottom dot always flashes if the unit is plugged in and working. The piece with the signal indicator slides down to cover the USB connector when not in use, but sliding it up and down also resets the unit like turning it off and on.
I'm very happy with the UM150. It's well constructed and well designed. It makes traveling with my laptop a breeze. I love the freedom of being able to work with my laptop all over the house, out in the yard, in the car while waiting to pick up family members, or when I'm on the road.
The modem comes with a software disc. For some reason my installation wasn't smooth, so I had to call customer service. Verizon wireless has domestic tech support, which I appreciated no end. He helped me reset a few things and it was working in 5 minutes.
One caution - if you ever get a prompt to update the software on this, don't do it! There are several steps you need to go through, including deleting the old software, downloading the new software from an authorized website, etc. Call Verizon's tech support and they will walk you through it all in just a few minutes.
The monthly fee is $59.99 for virtually unlimited access; 5G a month should be plenty for browsing and email. Tack on about another $20/month to your bill just for the taxes and junk fees. My monthly phone bill, with another carrier, suffers from the same type of surcharge inflation.Maybe it's pricey, but I get a lot more use out of this than cable TV!
Highly recommended!
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Designed to work with any computing device equipped with a USB slot, the Verizon Wireless UM150 modem gives you on-the-go broadband access to Verizon's high-speed 1x/EVâ€"DO network--providing speeds and performance similar to those of traditional cable or DSL connections. It supports both Windows and Mac PCs, and it also offers a MicroSD slot for added storage from optional memory cards. The UM150 comes equipped with a highâ€"performance, retractable antenna and a Yâ€"shaped extension cable for added performance and convenience.
Designed to be as durable as it is small, the UM150 combines a variety of innovative features into its tiny form factor, including a high-performance, retractable antenna and a Y-shaped extension cable for added performance and convenience. In addition, the UM150 serves as a mass storage device with its built-in MicroSD memory slot, which has a capacity of up to 4 GB. VZAccess Manager Software is included to simplify set-up and navigation through the UM150's features.
The UM150 modem is optimized for Verizon Wireless' Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revolution A (Rev. A) network and the company's BroadbandAccess service, which provides average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps. When connecting within a Rev. A coverage area, the UM150 can download a 1 MB email attachment in about eight seconds and upload the same-sized file in less than 13 seconds.
The UM150 is compatible with both Verizon's BroadbandAccess and NationalAccess services. BroadbandAccess is available in 248 major metropolitan areas covering over 240 million people, and is expanding coast to coast. BroadbandAccess is also available in 232 primary airports in the U.S. Verizon Wireless NationalAccess is available in thousands of cities and towns across the U.S. Outside the Verizon Wireless BroadbandAccess coverage area, BroadbandAccess users will still have access to their data with Verizon Wireless' NationalAccess service, which provides connectivity at speeds bursting up to 144 kbps.
Other features include:
Memory storage up to 4 GB using optional MicroSD memory cards
Compatible with all devices supporting the Type A USB interface including desktops, notebooks, tablet PCs and PDAs
Windows 2000, XP, Vista and Mac OS X 10.3.9 or higher
2â€"way text messaging capable (via VZAccess Manager)
VPN compatible
Dimensions: 3.6 x 1.5 x 0.7 inches (HxWxD)
Weight: 1.6 ounces
