Geek Out: Verizon Wireless MiFi 2200
As someone who works in the digital marketing field, I always have my laptop at my side. Coffee shops, hotel lobbys, and my car in a parking lot frequently must do as my office.
One thing that I'm constantly battling is the lack of a reliable wireless signal. Without a doubt, the client on the other side of the phone has lost the latest design comps, misplaced an e-mail, or would like to have me go through the presentation from last week now that the regional assistant marketing director is in the room. More often than not, I am left grating my teeth and praying that a miracle wireless signal (with no password) falls into my lap and I can connect.For the past week or so, this has been no problem for me. I have had a wireless signal with me at all times, thanks to the Verizon Wireless MiFi 2200.
Initially, the thing that intrigued me at first about the MiFi 2200 was it's size. It fits in the palm of my hand, and is slimmer than my cell phone. Before it got so cold this week, it fit easily into my pants pocket, and after it got colder, it moved comfortably to my coat pocket. Originally, I pictured something similar to the wireless router that I have in my house, so the smaller size and light weight design was a welcome surprise. A device to give you a wireless signal on the go needs to be able to travel easily, so it passes this test.
Next, I was interested with how easy it would be to set up. Sometimes, getting your computer to talk with a new piece of equipment is not The MiFi 2200 comes loaded with the software you need, and has the installer built in as well. Plug it in with the USB cord, and it goes to work with your computer. Test passed.
The thing that really is most important is the wireless signal. Can you get it, and when you get it, how strong is it? Thanks to Verizon's impressive 3G coverage (hopefully coming to the iPhone soon) I have yet to have a problem with getting coverage. I've been in buildings, parking structures, restaurants, and my apartment and all places have been able to get a strong and steady signal. The only shortcoming is one that is to be expected on a 3G network. Things that require a really strong signal (ie: playing streaming video, downloading large files) are not meant for the signal that you get from the MiFi 2200. If you need to do pretty much anything else, you won't really notice a difference in your internet experience.
The Verdict? I'm hooked. This thing has made my life as a freelance worker a lot easier.
Kyle Stuef is a marketing consultant who blogs on Internet/technology trends, and being a young professional in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor for The Deuce and AnnArbor.com
He can be reached at:
kstuef@gmail.com
@KyleStuef
www.linkedin.com/in/kylestuef
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Comments
Kyle Stuef
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 : 1:39 p.m.
@Dylan: You're right! One person that I talked to told me that they use it on all of their business trips. The airport terminal became their office when they waited for their plane to take off.
Dylan
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 : 1:35 p.m.
You missed one of the coolest features: you can connect multiple devices to it! In terms of size and connection, there's nothing special about the MiFi from the other USB 3G devices, except that this thing can serve as a network for multiple people at once, which means you can save on cost if you have business partners to travel with, or you can let your friends join in the fun. Very cool device.