AT&T outs U881 HSUPA AirCard with integrated client

Not even a month after the PC Card version hit the airwaves, AT&T introduces the USB version of the 881 AirCard. For $49.95 after rebate and with a qualifying two-year data plan, the USBConnect 881 can be yours starting today. It looks to be the same size and weight as my U875; the key difference is the support for HSUPA which offers faster upload speeds. Expect 500 - 800 Kbps going up in the right coverage area, while downloads are still speedy at 1,400 Kbps. Personally, I've seen 1,600 Kbps or more with my U875, but why be EDGE-y over 200 Kbps? Hmm... too bad there isn't a trade-in option for my HSUPA-less U875.

This looks to be the first AT&T modem with the client software on the device, meaning you don't need the CD-ROM to install the AT&T Connection Manager. Of course, that's for the PC side of the house. I recently plugged in my U875 to the MacBook Pro running Leopard, not realizing I hadn't installed the client software; worked like a charm without it. Who knows, the card might even work on my Asus Eee PC like the U875 does?