Sometimes, you just have to be impressed with a bit of mobile tech when it is put in front of you. You think, hmmm, that’s actually a really neat idea, and actually it looks like the manufacturer/vendor has delivered on the solution really well. That’s what I thought about the MiFi 2352.
The MiFi 2352 is a mobile broadband access point – that is to say, on the one side it connects to your network operator’s GPRS/3G network – on the other side it is it’s own wireless access point – meaning you can hook up a number of PCs to it via WiFi. Unlike broadband dongles, there is no plugging in to a PC via the USB port (although you can do that too) – instead it sits on it’s own, running off a 1530mAh battery. Kinda freeing up your PC/Mac from the hardware needed to connect to a mobile network!
Some of you might not think this any great shakes, but trust me, it’s really cool – in fact, I’m going to do a quick video run-through (in another post) of how it works so you can better see – but I also wanted to write some words to recommend it.
The hardware is very aesthetically pleasing to me (as you’ll see from the pic above) – Piano black top, with chrome bezel – and then matt black underneath. There’s also an SDHC port on the side, along with MicroUSB for charging/tethering with a PC.
Setting it up is simplicity. Fit the SIM, and battery, then charge. Turn on, wait for it to connect to your mobile network, and then point your Laptop/PC/Mac at the wireless network it creates – LEDs on the front tell you the status of the connection.
Even better, the MiFi 2352 has it’s own mini webserver on-board, so you can ‘login’ to it and see the status of how your external (mobile) and internal (WiFi) network is looking, plus a ton of admin stuff. Very very cool.
Here are some features from Novatel:
Features
- Connects up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously
- Computers, PDA’s, cameras, music players, personal and game players and more
- Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery
- GPS- enabled
- Advanced internal antenna system
- NovaSpeed® capable
- Auto-install and auto-connectivity
- 10M (30 ft) range of network coverage
Are there any negatives? Well there’s no 802.11n, but the 802.11g is fast enough for web browsing and emailing. And you’d also need to make sure you have enough data allowance per month/credit if you are going to hang multiple computers off it. Finally, I wonder what happens with the speed if either the external (mobile) or internal (WiFi) contention ratio is not in your favour….
However, I reckon for hanging say 2 computers off, in a 3G/HSPA area, then this would be a great solution – not having to plug the hardware in to your PC is a revolution also!
The 2352 model is the one that’s suitable for Europe, and is currently retailing at £209.99 at eXpansys, just as a reference. I’d recommend one if you are regularly mobile working, and want to hang a couple of users of your mobile data connection.
Check out the MiFi 2352 on Novatel’s site here.