The HP 2710p and the MacBook Pro both have ExpressCard slots instead of PC Card slots so I updated my EV-DO modem to the v740 from Verizon. That little modem card works wonderfully in both of those devices and I have been very happy with that upgrade except that it won’t work in the Fujitsu P1610 which has a PC Card slot. This week I ordered a Novatel XCA-3 adapter which lets you use ExpressCard devices in a PC Card slot and it arrived yesterday. I haven’t had a lot of time to play with it in the Fuji due to my problems with the Vista SP1 install but I have been able to try it enough to report that it does work fine as advertised.
The Novatel adapter requires no drivers and the system recognizes the ExpressCard just as if it was a native ExpressCard slot so I’m happy to report that it works just fine. At least it does while the Fuji is not crashing due to Vista SP1. It seems to be just as fast speed-wise as systems that use the modem without the adapter so I recommend it for anyone needing an adapter like this. It was only $69 so it’s well worth it to me as I can now enjoy EV-DO speeds on all devices in my possession which is the intent. I bought this Novatel adapter from 3gstore and I’m not linking to them nor recommending you buy yours from them because I was surprised and annoyed to find it shipped without any Novatel packaging, rather the adapter was in bubble-wrap with no original packaging. My initial concern was that it was used since it definitely had been opened before as I don’t believe that Novatel ships anything without packaging nor documentation like this. I examined the adapter carefully to make sure it looked new and it did but still, shipping opened electronic devices is not cool. Having no documentation means I have no idea what the Novatel warranty is on this device and I have to go to their support web site for any information, and that should have shipped in the box. Shame on you 3gstore for shipping this device opened. Otherwise I’m happy with the adapter and you’ll find some pictures (albeit blurry) after the jump that demonstrate how much farther the adapter makes the modem stick out of the slot.
UPDATE: 3gstore has offered this explanation for the way this adapter ships:
Guess what, Novatel ships the ExpressCard adapters EXACTLY as youreceived them. When we buy them 100 at a time, they come individuallywrapped in bubble wrap – exacty as you got it. We pull them out of alarge shipping box and put them in a bin and then ship them directly -they are not used or opened. On our next shipment, I will take apicture so you can see how they come to us – so you will be bettereducated and perhaps take your gripe up with Novatel – who ships themEXACTLY the way you got it.
v740 in the HP natively
v740 in the Novatel adapter sticking out of the P1610 (very dark, sorry)



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