Telstra Elite 4G USB Moden

I have been using a "Telstra Elite 4G USB" Modem to connect a Dell Vostro Laptop running Windows 7 to the internet. I was using an old school VGA connection to connect the laptop to a projector. No problems.

Telstra Elite 4G USB - Avoid like the plague

Recently I purchased a Dell 1610HD projector and thought I would get modern and use a HDMI connection from the laptop to the projector. However the laptop would not detect the HDMI connected projector.

I used another laptop running Vista plugged the HDMI Cable in and it detected fine. Then installed the Telstra Elite 4G USB Modem software and immediately that laptop wouldn't detect the HDMI connected Projector either.

Sadly un-installing the Telstra Elite 4G USB software doesn't re-enable the laptops ability to detect the projector. Neither did a system-state restore.

So from the above I'm assuming that the Telstra Elite 4G USB modem software's port watcher software permanently disables the laptops ability to detect a HDMI connected projector.

Not good.

Besides the above the Telstra Elite 4G USB Modem also was 'windows bound' meaning I couldn't plug it into my Google HP Chromebook and use it.

Telstra Mobile Wi-Fi 4G

So I purchased a "Telstra Mobile Wi-Fi 4G" this finally is something that doesn't bork your laptop. You just turn it on, connect your WiFi to the SSID you see on the screen and enter the code as displayed on the screen and you can do this from any Android, Chromebook, Windows device that supports WiFi.

Cross platform solution that doesn't install laptop port killing software

I believe the "Telstra Elite 4G USB" product is manufactured by Sierra Wireless and the "Telstra Mobile Wi-Fi 4G" is manufactured by NetGear.