The Best of Both Phone, and Tablet
When we first connected the WebConnect USB Laptop Stick to our laptop, it automatically installed the T-Mobile Connection Manager software, which helps detect the best available Internet connection and tracks your usage. When connected via Broadband mode, you can also use the program to send, receive, forward, and save text messages from your PC. Currently, the device only works with Windows XP and Vista, but T-Mobile said it will add Mac support this summer. Also, the carrier will add more features to WebConnect through over-the-air updates, including A-GPS, but T-Mobile did not reveal a schedule of releases.
The WebConnect offers tri-band 3G connectivity (HSDPA/UMTS 1900/AWS/2100), so you'll be able to use it on compatible networks overseas. T-Mobile's HSDPA network supports download speeds in the range of 600Kbps up to 1Mbps. If you're in an area where there is no 3G coverage, it can work with GPRS/EDGE networks, so you're not left to search out a Wi-Fi hot spot as your only option of getting online.
We tested the WebConnect in San Francisco's SOMA and Marina districts. Based on six tests, we averaged 670Kbps for download speeds and 310Kbps for uploads. The fastest speeds we clocked were 740Kbps for downloads and 323Kbps for uploads. The overall experience was satisfactory, but not great. On T-Mobile's UMTS network and with a signal strength of -77dbm, it took 56 seconds to upload a 1,363KB photo and 15 minutes to download a 60.1MB file from Firefox. CNET's site took 16 seconds to fully load, while The New York Times came up in 26 seconds and CNN in 16 seconds. We'll continue to test the WebConnect in other cities and update the review with results.
What You'll Pay
- Set Price Alert
