It’s time to use that little 34 mm slot on the left side of your MacBook Pro, mate! Stop playing around with flash card readers and stick something serious is in it! Like the Novatel V740 ExpressCard, for example. This new card is supported out-of-the-box on your MacBook Pro with Apple’s latest WWAN Support Update we told you about last week. The Novatel card will bring broadband speeds to your MacBook Pro as it, “…is capable of speed bursts of up to 2.0Mbps.” You’ll find average speeds about half that; however, even at 1.0Mbps, that’s still nearing DSL speeds of most households. With the multi-color LED and flip up antenna, the V740 will get you broadband access nearly anywhere…well, anywhere you have a cell signal.

Verizon is offering its VZAccess Manager for download for MacBook Pro users (MacBook users can use this as well if you use the USB Novatel Wireless Ovation U720 device.) With the VZAccess Manager, you can choose for it to manage both your WWAN (the V740) and Wi-Fi connections (built-in Wi-Fi.) If you’d rather let the Mac keep track of your Wi-Fi for you, then you can just have it manage the WWAN connections. Once configured, you’ll be able to easily connect to Verizon’s BroadbandAccess network with details of signal strength at a glance. With other built-in utilities, such as statistics and easy one click e-mail checking, the VZAccess Manager will make all your mobile Internet tasks easy to do.

Pricing for access ranges from $59 a month to $79 depending on contracts and if you are currently a Verizon customer. You may also see further price reduction if you have a business account with Verizon Wireless. The Novatel V740 will cost you $179.99 with a two year contract. MacBook Pro not included.

Update: Link for the v740 updates (3/15/07)

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