stroh
Sleeveless Hoodie From: Impact Crater Springs, CA
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Laptop Question.
« on: May 20, 2010, 07:10:23 PM » |
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Why can't my laptop do what my iphone can do? Surf the web wirelessly with ATT 3G.
I know you can buy one of those antenna USB deals and get a plan, but if they can build it into a phone why not a laptop?
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twoiron
Full Metal Jacket From: The Drawing Room
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Re: Laptop Question.
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2010, 07:24:21 PM » |
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Is it an issue because there are no pröñ apps for the iphone?
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"Nothing says sorry like a warm plate of bacon... or so I'm told"
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stroh
Sleeveless Hoodie From: Impact Crater Springs, CA
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Re: Laptop Question.
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2010, 07:43:40 PM » |
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Is it an issue because there are no pröñ apps for the iphone?
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stroh
Sleeveless Hoodie From: Impact Crater Springs, CA
Karma: 155 Posts: 16135
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Re: Laptop Question.
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2010, 07:52:44 PM » |
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APTech
Golf Shirt From: Mott, ND - It's on the globe!
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Re: Laptop Question.
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2010, 08:08:49 PM » |
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Not sure about the iPhone, but I can use my Blackberry as a tethered modem.
Grasshopper, you have a new Google search to perform.
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stroh
Sleeveless Hoodie From: Impact Crater Springs, CA
Karma: 155 Posts: 16135
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Re: Laptop Question.
« Reply #5 on: May 20, 2010, 08:11:54 PM » |
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Not sure about the iPhone, but I can use my Blackberry as a tethered modem.
Grasshopper, you have a new Google search to perform.
LOL I tried that from day one. It can be done with an iphone, but it's fairly complicated and you have to take it apart. |
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gleek
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Re: Laptop Question.
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2010, 08:42:41 PM » |
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Why can't my laptop do what my iphone can do? Surf the web wirelessly with ATT 3G.
I know you can buy one of those antenna USB deals and get a plan, but if they can build it into a phone why not a laptop?
Because the fruit-logo'd company needed to give you a reason to upgrade in a few years. Some newer notebooks and netbooks are being built with these 4G WiMAX cards. Most newer notebooks (sans fruit logo) use PCIe WiFi cards, so they can be swapped out with one of these as well. None of the major carriers currently offer WiMAX service, although Sprint will eventually do so with the impending release of the HTC EVO. |
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Woman, open the door, don't let it sting. I wanna breathe that fire again.
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Aske
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Re: Laptop Question.
« Reply #7 on: May 21, 2010, 07:14:33 AM » |
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$
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Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people. Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century. -- Chimpy McFlightsuit, CEO of Bu$hco Industries of 'Merka |
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stroh
Sleeveless Hoodie From: Impact Crater Springs, CA
Karma: 155 Posts: 16135
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Re: Laptop Question.
« Reply #8 on: May 21, 2010, 05:34:33 PM » |
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$
In what respect? Their money or mine? Here is my take on it. My truck is equipped and capable for On-Star. I don't use it because I don't want to subscribe to their monthly service. But if I do I have everything I need. I don't have to buy some big ass magnetic C.B. antenna or rotating Get Smart Satellite Dish to plug into the cigarette lighter to call to be let into my truck when the keys are locked in it. Why can't my laptop be shipped with the same "potential functionality"? If I have no interest in signing up for some monthly plan because I never plan to carry my computer out to some resort pool and surf GolfHos, fine. Turn it off. Or never turn it on. Why is it that from the same two companies I can't do the same thing on their equipment, and service. My iphone is 2 years old and cost 200 dollars. I can surf the web in the house via wi-fi or at the pool via 3G with AT&T. My MacBook is less than a year old and cost 2,000 dollars. I can surf the web in the house via wi-fi but to go to the pool to surf the web I have to purchase and plug in some clunky external USB antenna to access 3G via AT&T. Just doesn't make any sense to me. |
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« Last Edit: May 21, 2010, 05:37:22 PM by stroh »
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gleek
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Re: Laptop Question.
« Reply #9 on: May 21, 2010, 07:55:38 PM » |
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I think the problem with 3G is that there are a *feces*load of different standards, so if a laptop maker wanted to offer an internal device, they'd have to lock their computers into a single carrier or increase the number of SKUs. It would be no problem for a company like Dell that builds to order, but for others it would be more hassle than it's worth. Another problem is that laptop makers don't really make anything. They simply assemble parts made by other companies, and as far as I can tell, nobody makes a truly modular internal 3G adapter.
With 4G, there appears to be only 2 (relevant) standards: LTE or WiMAX, and Intel builds PCIe Mini WiFi cards with support for WiMAX.
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Woman, open the door, don't let it sting. I wanna breathe that fire again.
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stroh
Sleeveless Hoodie From: Impact Crater Springs, CA
Karma: 155 Posts: 16135
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Re: Laptop Question.
« Reply #10 on: May 21, 2010, 08:02:38 PM » |
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I think the problem with 3G is that there are a *feces*load of different standards, so if a laptop maker wanted to offer an internal device, they'd have to lock their computers into a single carrier or increase the number of SKUs. It would be no problem for a company like Dell that builds to order, but for others it would be more hassle than it's worth. Another problem is that laptop makers don't really make anything. They simply assemble parts made by other companies, and as far as I can tell, nobody makes a truly modular internal 3G adapter.
With 4G, there appears to be only 2 (relevant) standards: LTE or WiMAX, and Intel builds PCIe Mini WiFi cards with support for WiMAX.
Ok. That makes some sense. And I did read your earlier post and wasn't ignoring it. I guess I just don't understand the technology. Sorry to be so dense on this. Maybe the ipad thing is a better example. But *feces*. A 2000 dollar laptop v. the newest toy thingy. And we're still talking about the same two companies. In response to your earlier post (replace outdated). Let me put it this way. I don't want an ipad, but if this Spring they introduce a Macbook 3G option with AT&T I would go buy one. I guess my point is is doesn't seem like they will, and I can't figure out why not. [Edit: And I'm only saying "3G" because that's what I mean by surfing the web not being plugged in or using someone's wi-fi router. You know what I mean.] |
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« Last Edit: May 21, 2010, 08:04:31 PM by stroh »
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gleek
Flak Jacket
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Re: Laptop Question.
« Reply #11 on: May 21, 2010, 08:28:18 PM » |
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I think the problem with 3G is that there are a *feces*load of different standards, so if a laptop maker wanted to offer an internal device, they'd have to lock their computers into a single carrier or increase the number of SKUs. It would be no problem for a company like Dell that builds to order, but for others it would be more hassle than it's worth. Another problem is that laptop makers don't really make anything. They simply assemble parts made by other companies, and as far as I can tell, nobody makes a truly modular internal 3G adapter.
With 4G, there appears to be only 2 (relevant) standards: LTE or WiMAX, and Intel builds PCIe Mini WiFi cards with support for WiMAX.
Ok. That makes some sense. And I did read your earlier post and wasn't ignoring it. I guess I just don't understand the technology. Sorry to be so dense on this. Maybe the ipad thing is a better example. But *feces*. A 2000 dollar laptop v. the newest toy thingy. I think the price IS the main reason that Apple wouldn't want to lock down their notebooks to any specific carrier. With their iPad, if somebody doesn't like AT&T as the mobile communications provider, they can just *feces*can it. After all, it's just a toy. It's not intended for doing anything really productive on it. I think it's different for a high-end notebook--especially one that isn't designed to allow the end-user to easily swap *feces* out. On the other hand, look at all of these netbooks (scroll to the bottom) ranging from $80 to $200. These are priced to be throwaways after the 2 year commitment is over. And we're still talking about the same two companies.
In response to your earlier post (replace outdated). Let me put it this way. I don't want an ipad, but if this Spring they introduce a Macbook 3G option with AT&T I would go buy one.
I guess my point is is doesn't seem like they will, and I can't figure out why not.
[Edit: And I'm only saying "3G" because that's what I mean by surfing the web not being plugged in or using someone's wi-fi router. You know what I mean.]
Yeah, I knew what you meant. |
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« Last Edit: May 21, 2010, 08:30:17 PM by gleek »
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Woman, open the door, don't let it sting. I wanna breathe that fire again.
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stroh
Sleeveless Hoodie From: Impact Crater Springs, CA
Karma: 155 Posts: 16135
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Re: Laptop Question.
« Reply #12 on: May 21, 2010, 08:34:56 PM » |
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Ok. Thanks. I think I'm getting it. Seeing the offerings from the AT&T link helps. Just seems like such a waste.
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« Last Edit: May 21, 2010, 08:36:27 PM by stroh »
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gleek
Flak Jacket
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Re: Laptop Question.
« Reply #13 on: May 21, 2010, 08:57:20 PM » |
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Ok. Thanks. I think I'm getting it. Seeing the offerings from the AT&T link helps. Just seems like such a waste. Getting what? One of those little throwaway netbooks? |
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Woman, open the door, don't let it sting. I wanna breathe that fire again.
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stroh
Sleeveless Hoodie From: Impact Crater Springs, CA
Karma: 155 Posts: 16135
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Re: Laptop Question.
« Reply #14 on: May 21, 2010, 08:59:27 PM » |
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Ok. Thanks. I think I'm getting it. Seeing the offerings from the AT&T link helps. Just seems like such a waste. Getting what? One of those little throwaway netbooks? LOL No. Although I'll never say never. |
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