New AT&T Mercury USB Laptop Connect Modem Available Tomorrow
27 comments
Filed in AT&T, Accessories, EDGE, UMTS
Starting tomorrow, AT&T customers will have add new flavor of Laptop Connect modem to its selection. Sporting the moniker Mercury, you may already know this little puppy as the Sierra Wireless Compass 885. The Mercury will become available through all channels tomorrow and sports 3G / 2.5G / 2G compatibility. Here are some highlights from AT&T’s spiel:
- Performance and Coverage
- Work seamlessly across AT&T’s 3G Broadband Connect and EDGE networks.
- Tri-band HSPA.
- There is no need for an installation CD. The Mercury comes preloaded with ACM 6.8.104 that automatically installs when first inserted into the customer’s laptop.
- Typical uplink speeds: 500 – 1.2 Mbps
- EDGE Class 12
- Plug-and-play USB device provides multiple solutions in a compact form factor
- Note: For enterprise customers, you can disable the ACM auto install. For assistance, please contact your Sierra Wireless Field Sales representative.
- Integrated antenna with multi color LED indicator lights for a sleek form factor
- microSD card slot compatible up to 32 GB for convenient file storage and transfer
- Global Compatibility: The only single Laptop Connect card, single rate plan, global 3G solution offered today
- Work internationally in 150 countries including 60 with 3G
- UMTS/HSPA (850/1900/2100 MHz)
- GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
Not bad at all. Global 3G and EDGE support, automatic installation with no need for a CD, integrated microSD slot with high capacity support; can’t really go wrong. As for pricing, it breaks down like this:
- Two-year Best Price (with data plan of $60 or higher): Free
- Two-year: $99.99
- One-year Best Price: $74.99
- One-year: $174.99
- No Commit: $249.99
- Nat’l Contract Ref Price: $279.99
- Work internationally in 150 countries including 60 with 3G
Thanks, Kall!
Looks like it has a similarly craptastic USB connector as the USBConnect 881.
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Whats the diff between this and the 881, other than the smaller size? Is it any faster?
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Yay! Something else att can fuck you over on.
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HAHA!! If it works as good as the 881U and it’s inability to read RFID’s I’m sure warranty exchange will be busy with these POS too.
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wish tmobile had ubs air cards my pcimca slots drapped out on my comp
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The specs on this thing are hot. Best card ATT has to offer.
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Does AT&T still have that asinine provisioning process where they charge you 9.99 for an additional line and then the data plan on top of it for using this card? Pretty dumb (or a way to make money)
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No..the provisioning is not the same…It is a flat rate plan of $60 per month to be able to use it.
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so sinceit has the umts 2100 band if you buyone unlocked will it work with tmobile 3g?
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now all we need is some real 3g coverage… and we’re set…
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Anyone know if this will fit into a MacBook Air without an extension cable ?
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Would this hw work in a desktop?
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is this charge for using connect card from AT&T unlimited usage? How does it compare to cable usage? Thanks.
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Another question - what is charge per month and do at&t customers get a discount.
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This device will NOT work for the MacBook Air without a USB extension cable. For that reason, I returned the one that I purchased just yesterday.
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i was using an AT&T pcmcia card (Novatel U730) with HSPA access. in 3G areas, worked well - and was EDGE in other places. AT&T network is OK where I travel. now i’ve switched to MacBook Pro, and needed the USB. this Mercury device works well - at least as well as the old Novatel card. have the same plan and unlimited data as before, at $60. thumbs up, so far.
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oh - and it’s not added as a $9.99 add-on to the family plan - it’s a standalone phone number on the same account - just doesn’t share the family plan…
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Not sure what your problem is with the USB connector. Need it when your using it between a desktop and laptop.
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Got one over the weekend. Initial load does not have me happy as everything looks fine, modem is awake, but can’t use it as the Communications Manager states that there is “NO WIRELESS NETWORK CARD DETECTED”. Looks like we need to try a reload. Back at you in a few.
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I use a at&t dsl modem for my desktop. do I still need to pay for this lapto p usb modem or do I get some kind of discount?
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Would LOVE to write a glowing review for this little puppy, but it won’t load on either my HP or my IBM laptops. The software install fails and locks both up so tight the only way to get out is to turn the laptop off. I went to the AT&T website and downloaded the ACM 6.8.104 driver and tried it and THAT software locks the laptops up as well. My IT guy’s solution is to wipe the laptops clean and rebuild them and load the 6.8.104 before adding any application software to rule out the possibility of a software conflct. YEP, THAT will be a honkin’ good time! Anyone else have the same problem?
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On Sunday, I borrowed one first to test it out. I was able to install it on my MacPro and get online within minutes. As it’s the only way for me to get speeds higher than dial-up without getting cable, it works for me.
I called ST&T and they said it’s $60 per month, but it’s not for unlimited usage. There’s a 5 GB cap with $0.48 for overage charges - I’m assuming that’s $0.48 per MB. There is also a one-time $36 activation fee.
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am drawing straws trying to figger out what technology to go to. I tried verizon air card and it worked great in the best buy. but can’t get verizon where i am, so must try at&t. Little skeptical but they sed i had 30 days to try it out. if i bring it back within 3 days i don’t pay the activation fee ($36.00) Bill Curtis really makes it look fast, hmmmm? Want to try cobalt wireless out but they want the contract up front b 4 they’ll even come out here. any ideas?
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I bought one about three weeks ago to use with a new Mac Book. It worked fine for two weeks, but on Sunday of this week, I updated my Mac software. Ever since, I’ve had nothing but problems with the Mercury. I have to uninstall and reinstall the software each time I try to go on line.
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I needed to upgrade my at&t aircard when i got my acer laptop. I just started using the new usb aircard and it seems to work well. Except for my signal. Does anyone know of a signal booster or antenna for it? Help please
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