(2) the Huawei attempts to install Windows drivers when plugged in. The N810 does not run Windows.

A device does not force drivers onto the host
The The Huawei HSDPA is fully Linux compatible it runs the standard USB-serial modem module to run you need to set-up a PPP connection to dial the modem i think the string was *99#.

That all said i am looking at getting a n810 for the same reason using my USB modem does the n810 have the USB-serial module and also does it have the ability to setup PPP connections?