Anybody use the MiFi 2200 router from Virgin Mobile?

I was looking for an alternative to the deteriorating landline DSL in the house, and this package with unlimited data looks interesting (especially considering it can handle up to 5 notebooks).

MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot | Virgin Mobile

Anybody familiar with it? I know it is limited to Wireless-G throughput, but my current slow DSL modem's ceiling is the same even when cabled directly to it. If the signal is strong, I should not notice any difference (maybe)?

 

I actually purchased it because of the fact you can use 5 wifi devices off of it. The other thing was the monthly cost of $40.00 for unlimited usage. It is wonderful. I have owned it for almost 3 weeks and have had no problems. Set up was easy and customer service was there to answer any question that I had.

I hope this helps make your decision.

 

Using it like a regular ethernet router, is it okay to leave it on indefinitely? I've never used a 3G device before, so I don't know if leaving it "dialed-in" all the time is appropriate on a cell network.

 

The only problem I can think of is if it gets hot. Some 3G modems get really hot, while others are quite cool.

 

On Verizon here in the US it has a couple hours of battery life, and works pretty well. Worst part about it is there's no way to just pull power from the computer USB port without it setting itself up as a USB modem instead of a wifi hotspot.

Leaving it on all the time won't hurt it one bit. It may hurt your bandwidth bill, but I'll leave that to you It automatically drops communciation when it's not actively sending or receiving data.

The major difference you'll see between it and your DSL is in latency. Even though it's slow, your DSL connection will likely have much lower latency and much less variable latency, so if you play online games at all expect to have a much worse experience with the 3G network than a wired connection. It will depend a lot on how much people on the same cell are using bandwidth as to what kind of service you'll get.

 

You might get away with just disabling it in Device Manager, but if not, take an old USB cable and splice the two center wires (just leave the red and black), use an old powered hub, or a usb hub power supply.

 

Would the higher latency affect watching movies on Hulu?

 

Nope. Latency is 'round trip' time basically. It'll just mean it'll take half a second longer for your click to register. Latency is very important for things like VoIP and gaming, not as much for streaming media and downloading. Any interactive, real-time communication over the Internet will be latency sensitive. Big files and movies and such are bandwidth sensitive (the normal Mb/s numbers you see)

 

I'm interested in the Virgin MiFi as well for personal use but at work I have used and tested the Verizon MiFi. It is great to use but if it is being charged by plugging into the computer, the wireless will turn off and your basically tethering. However, if you use a wall charger, the wireless stays on.

 

Yeah, I'll have to look into that (as I prefer a unit with a wall charger). It will be in a remote location in the parlor where the notebooks are not used much.