AT&T Verizon MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot
AT&T's version of the Novatel wireless hotspot, the MiFi 2372 ($49.99 with contract), brings easy Wi-Fi connectivity to up to five devices, using AT&T's 3G network. Although it has some innovative features, it can't hit AT&T's fastest speeds. But there's simply no other AT&T device which does what this can do. That makes it our Editor's Choice in an AT&T hotspot category where it stands alone.
At 2.44 by 3.86 by .6 inches and 2.9 ounces, the MiFi 2372 is a little bigger than the slim, sleek Verizon MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot (3.5 stars); it's about the size and thickness of a deck of cards. It's just as easy to operate as any MiFi: turn it on and it should connect, offering up a Wi-Fi network to anyone who wants it (and has the password).
A single LED built into the power button shines different colors based on the device's status; I found that unecessarily confusing. (Violet means 3G! Huh?) Another, smaller blue light shows if the Wi-Fi router is operating. I'd prefer clearer indicators, such as the LCD on the Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless for Sprint (3 stars) or the e-ink on Novatel's upcoming 4G MiFi for Verizon.
As an HSPA 7.2 device, the MiFi can't access the new HSPA+ or LTE networks AT&T is setting up around the nation. But its speeds will be enough for most people. With the MiFi sitting next to a Windows 7 laptop, I was able to achieve speeds of 3.2Mbps down and 630Kbps up. Walking away from the MiFi lowered speeds, as expected: 20 feet of distance dropped speeds to 2.4Mbps, 50 feet dropped to 1.8Mbps and 100 feet dropped to 970Kbps. I was able to connect both Macs and Windows 7 PCs to the MiFi without issue.
Security and management options are pretty standard and satisfying. You can hide the SSID, switch between 802.11b and g modes, or turn on WEP, WPA or WPA2 encryption. The MiFi supports MAC address filtering, port filtering, and port forwarding. The hotspot supports VPNs, including a special VPN passthrough setting.
Novatel promises up to 4 hours of battery life on a charge, and that fits with what I saw during testing. I got 3 hours, 6 minutes of solid, non-stop Pandora streaming, and around four hours with more intermittent use. And that's on par with other mobile hotspots.
Specifications
Service Provider: AT&T
Cellular Technology: GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA
Bands: 850, 900, 1800, 1900, 2100
802.11x: Yes
Mac Compatible: Yes
At 2.44 by 3.86 by .6 inches and 2.9 ounces, the MiFi 2372 is a little bigger than the slim, sleek Verizon MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot (3.5 stars); it's about the size and thickness of a deck of cards. It's just as easy to operate as any MiFi: turn it on and it should connect, offering up a Wi-Fi network to anyone who wants it (and has the password).
A single LED built into the power button shines different colors based on the device's status; I found that unecessarily confusing. (Violet means 3G! Huh?) Another, smaller blue light shows if the Wi-Fi router is operating. I'd prefer clearer indicators, such as the LCD on the Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless for Sprint (3 stars) or the e-ink on Novatel's upcoming 4G MiFi for Verizon.
As an HSPA 7.2 device, the MiFi can't access the new HSPA+ or LTE networks AT&T is setting up around the nation. But its speeds will be enough for most people. With the MiFi sitting next to a Windows 7 laptop, I was able to achieve speeds of 3.2Mbps down and 630Kbps up. Walking away from the MiFi lowered speeds, as expected: 20 feet of distance dropped speeds to 2.4Mbps, 50 feet dropped to 1.8Mbps and 100 feet dropped to 970Kbps. I was able to connect both Macs and Windows 7 PCs to the MiFi without issue.
Security and management options are pretty standard and satisfying. You can hide the SSID, switch between 802.11b and g modes, or turn on WEP, WPA or WPA2 encryption. The MiFi supports MAC address filtering, port filtering, and port forwarding. The hotspot supports VPNs, including a special VPN passthrough setting.
Novatel promises up to 4 hours of battery life on a charge, and that fits with what I saw during testing. I got 3 hours, 6 minutes of solid, non-stop Pandora streaming, and around four hours with more intermittent use. And that's on par with other mobile hotspots.
Specifications
Service Provider: AT&T
Cellular Technology: GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA
Bands: 850, 900, 1800, 1900, 2100
802.11x: Yes
Mac Compatible: Yes
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