UTStarcom 5740 PC Card

The UTStarcom 5740 PC Card is the newest item released that enables us to take our broadband with us everywhere. The UTStarcom 5740 is also one of the most least expensive PC cards of this type. However, critics of this PC card claim that the quality is not as good as some of the more expensive cards and state that the manufacturers may have sacrificed the performance to hit an attractive price.

Verizon recently dropped their monthly prices for ED-VO. The UTStarcom 5740 PC card is the first of this kind to be released since Verizon did this. Ranging between 60 and 80 dollars per month you will receive unlimited broad band down loads and up loads to you lap top. This service is available in over 50 metropolitan areas in the USA. Although the cheapest of PC cards, the UTStarcom 5740 is far from the best. True the down loads are unlimited by the download and up load speeds are usually out performed my newer more expensive models.

The UTStarcom 5740 PC card currently costs about $100 USD with a two year contract. This does make it the least expensive card available but the performance has been between marginal and good. When compared to the KPC650 and the previous UTStarcom 5220 card, the 5740 came out in the middle. The download time of the UTStarcom 5740 was 614 kpbs. This places it quite far behind the KPC650 with a download speed of 655 kpbs. However, it did far out perform its predecessor the 5220 that was only capable of a download speed of 599 kpbs. Users do state that the down load and up load speeds are a bit of a disappointment. However, for what one pays for the card it does offer an adequate service.

The results of uploads were about the same. The UTStarcom 5740 was again out performed by the KPC650. The 5740 averages 107 kpbs which made it slightly slower than its competitor that managed 118 kpbs. Signals were another area that the 5740 was out performed. The KPC650 was able to pick up weaker signals than the UTStarcom 5740. When tested, the 5740 on occasion was able to pick up weaker signals than its competitor but failed when it came to up loading them at the same rate.

The UTStarcom 5740 also failed in comparison when it came to signal transfers. The KPC650 was able to handle signal transfers more quickly and efficiently. It is also capable of being boosted with an add on antennae. The UTStarcom 5740 lacks an antennae port making it incapable of being boosted. The UTStarcom 5740 also lacks Macintosh drivers. This is a device that both the KPC650 and its predecessor the 5220 both have. The UTStarcom 5740 is very basic in its features and capabilities. Again users cite the lack of boosting power and antennae port as some their most frequent complaints. However, as stated before, the price of the UTStarcom 5740 is far less then many other models with these features. Even though it is lacking in many areas, the price is adequate for what you receive.

With all of the criticisms of the UTStarcom 5740 considered, users do state that it is not a bad card. True it is out performed by more expensive models but one could expect this. The UTStarcom 5740 is the least expensive of PC cards and for the price does reflect good value for what you pay. Those who choose to may opt for the KPC650 model that does perform the 5740 but then again does cost more. The UTStarcom 5740 is a good card but is basic. It is reliable fir what it is intended to do and in very reasonably priced. It all boils down to user preference as to which would be better. If you want something that is reliable, but very basic and inexpensive, then the UTStarcom 5740 is an excellent choice. However, many users may opt to spend the extra 50-60 dollars more and get a card with more featured and quicker down load and upload times.