A TECHNOLOGY upgrade by computer manufacturer Dell has left several Irish customers unable to use their Vodafone 3G data cards to get internet access on their laptops.

The two companies recently signed a high-pro"le mobile technology deal which will see several models of Dell laptops equipped with Vodafone high-speed data cards, but some existing users have been wrong-footed by a compatibility problem.

A spokeswoman for Dell Ireland said a "very small number of customers" had purchased Vodafone 3G cards and attempted to use them with Dell's Inspiron range of notebook computers. The Inspiron range, however, does not support the 3G cards. The spokeswoman said this was "clearly indicated on the Dell website". "Dell and Vodafone advise customers to check speci"cations in advance of purchase to ensure compatibility, " she said.

In April the two companies announced a deal that will see Vodafone 3G data cards, which enable computer users to connect directly to the internet, installed as standard in several of its high-end models. At present travellers wishing to access the net through Vodafone's network while on the move have to purchase a data card into their laptops.

Dublin docks model hailed

THE Dublin Docklands Development Authority regeneration model should be deployed in Cork, environment minister Dick Roche has said. "If we translated it to one or two other parts of the country, we could achieve great things, " he suggested at the publication of the DDDA's annual report on Friday.

Despite the progress, though, Roche said he had the impression that most residents of Dublin are steering clear of the IFSC. "Maybe it's going to be like Nelson's Pillar, " he said. "If you were a true Dub, you were never up Nelson's Pillar."

The DDDA's key announcement on Friday was that homestore Meadows & Byrne has agreed to be the anchor tenant in the new IFSC shopping and entertainment complex chq, taking a 13,000 sq ft premises.

Chief executive Paul Maloney said the focus now in the IFSC is on making it a living quarter.