Being connected to the internet at all times has become essential. Imagine yourself on the road trip and lose the directions, the internet will help know the directions while you can also reply to business emails in the go if you have an active internet connection.
But do you need to take a complete wired infrastructure for being connected to the internet, we think that those days are long gone.
Even more, your airport layoff has increased to four hours, and if you don’t have the internet with you, can you even imagine the experience? With an active internet connection, you can kick back and read the famous article about how Trump is handling the United States of America.
The mobile phone’s battery drains, and you take out another savior, the mighty laptop!
You connect your laptop to the open network, and the horror of 2Kbps starts, and you remember the glorious days of fast fiber internet connection at home.
With all these notions, it is better to bring your own internet wherever you go. This is where the Hotspot and Air Cards come into the play as they are the hottest trends on the block.
With these internet technologies, users can connect to the internet and go online wherever they are and want. Both options provide an internet connection, but there are some differences affirmed in them.
Aircard vs Hotspot:
In this article, we are talking about all the possible differences in Air Cards and hotspots. So, have a look!
Air Cards
So, air cards are the wireless adapters that connect the users to the internet by implying the cellular data. These devices are connected to the devices that have USB ports, such as laptops and tablets.
The air cards tend to develop fast and reliable internet connection, without posing harm to security standards.
The air card allows the users to use the internet signals which are sent to the devices through cellular towers and their data signals.
The air cards are designed with a similar technology that is implied in mobile phones that have online functions and features. Many people have been naming them fancy smartphones.
The air cards are usually utilized by buying the data plans, and they range from $20 to $200 on a monthly basis. The plans can be chosen according to the consumption needs.
For instance, if you don’t need to download any movies and songs and want access to email checking, the smaller subscription plans will be more than enough. In contrast, you are the Netflix, YouTube, and torrent person; you will need huge subscription plans.
Types of Air Cards
There have been multiple options available in the market when it comes down to the air cards, but it’s equally important to understand that cellular network service providers often swell in rebranding their modems and services.
For instance, Verizon and AT&T have been using the modems from Sierra, but still, they were known as the AT&T air card.
But when it comes down to the wireless air card modems, there are three main types that are being used for the internet functionality and high-performance scale. The types are elaborated below;
- Express Card – These cards offer increased bandwidth
- PC Card – These are the standard and most original cellular modem cards which are attached to the computer
- USB Modem – These cards offer cellular internet signals to multiple devices as long as they have a USB port
The latest models of air cards are designed to offer 3G/4G LTE internet signals. The 4G LTE signals are available and provided in the major cities.
In contrast, the rural and deserted areas will get the 3G speed, which is still better than the Edge that’s usually available there. The air cards are designed to support higher data ranges as compared to a dial-up connection.
Majorly, the downloading speed offered by air cards is around 3.1 Mbps, and when it comes down to the uploads, the speed is limited to 1.8 Mbps.
However, new air cards have been in talks for quite a long time now, and as per the insights, they are highly likely to have 5.76 Mbps upload and 7.2 Mbps downloading speed available.
Many people still consider it low, but hey, better than using the public networks, right?
Hotspots
These are the small wireless devices that are designed to outlet the Wi-Fi signals, which will connect you to the internet on the devices that are designed with Wi-Fi compatibility.
There is no rocket science involved in connecting the devices with the wireless connection because all you need to do is set up the password, and it will attach automatically.
There are no physical attachments required, and the internet signals will not only be secure but fast as well. The users need to buy the data plans, and one device can help connect multiple devices at one time.
This means that if you are a good soul and want to help people struggling with turtle-speed internet, you can share your internet with them and become their hero.
However, air cards tend to become the victim of high network latency even with high internet speeds, and the loading time can increase.
Even more, air cards aren’t a good choice for gamers because network games require a higher bandwidth, which is the deed doable for hotspots only. The hotspots have the ability to match and surpass the cable and DSL internet speed.
Unlike air cards, there shall be no hindrance in connectivity when it comes down to the number of devices as there shall be no impairment.
With hotspot, all you need to do is buy a data plan and enjoy the knacks of the internet, while helping others with your internet connection. Even more, the internet connectivity is top-notch, but as long as the speed is concerned, that depends on the data plan and network service provider.
The Bottom Line
With these two options, the internet problems will be away, and you can enjoy the long waiting hours in the lobby while watching your favorite documentary on Netflix.
As far as the right choice is concerned, everyone has different internet consumption needs and budget, and options are chosen accordingly.