3 ms·

>they don't charge IPR on the modem function, but over the whole device. Is this why there's no option for an LTE modem in a MacBook Pro?

greglindahl 9y ago
It's much more cost-effective to have a mobile hotspot, because then you're only paying the Qualcomm tax on a minimal thing.
- mcculley 9y ago
  I get that. I was wondering why Dell ships laptops with an LTE modem and Apple ships every mobile device except a MacBook with an LTE modem. It makes sense if it is some stupid negotiation tactic. I was wondering why they would not put something in so obvious to the benefit of users.
  - pwinnski 9y ago
    I think the key there is that Dell ships with an LTE modem, a separate device with a separate price. They pay royalties to Qualcomm on the price of the modem. Apple would never (for some value of never) ship a laptop with an external device like that. The LTE is either baked into the laptop (at which point Qualcomm would demand a % of the entire laptop's sale price), or it's not included at all. They choose not at all.
    - mcculley 9y ago
      Dell, HP, and Lenovo ship laptops with a built-in LTE modem.
      - wernercd 9y ago
        "Built in" as soldered unto the mother boards? Or "Build in" as in an expansion card added to an expansion card slot (even if "internally")? I assume the difference between those two would be the difference between price?
        greglindahl 9y ago
        I haven't looked in a recent laptop, but a while ago there was a standard for a single interior expansion card.
        mcculley 9y ago
        I have no idea. I would only care how well integrated it is with the operating system. But yes, maybe this is some hardware designed against accounting constraints.
tooltalk 9y ago
No. Qualcomm's patented features do drive market demand (or add value) for mobile devices, including that of Apple's. That's why Qualcomm can ask a percentage of the entire device. This is not so with MacBook Pro -- unless Qualcomm can prove it otherwise.

greglindahl 9y ago

It's much more cost-effective to have a mobile hotspot, because then you're only paying the Qualcomm tax on a minimal thing.

mcculley 9y ago
I get that. I was wondering why Dell ships laptops with an LTE modem and Apple ships every mobile device except a MacBook with an LTE modem. It makes sense if it is some stupid negotiation tactic. I was wondering why they would not put something in so obvious to the benefit of users.
- pwinnski 9y ago
  I think the key there is that Dell ships with an LTE modem, a separate device with a separate price. They pay royalties to Qualcomm on the price of the modem. Apple would never (for some value of never) ship a laptop with an external device like that. The LTE is either baked into the laptop (at which point Qualcomm would demand a % of the entire laptop's sale price), or it's not included at all. They choose not at all.
  - mcculley 9y ago
    Dell, HP, and Lenovo ship laptops with a built-in LTE modem.
    - wernercd 9y ago
      "Built in" as soldered unto the mother boards? Or "Build in" as in an expansion card added to an expansion card slot (even if "internally")? I assume the difference between those two would be the difference between price?
      - greglindahl 9y ago
        I haven't looked in a recent laptop, but a while ago there was a standard for a single interior expansion card.
      - mcculley 9y ago
        I have no idea. I would only care how well integrated it is with the operating system. But yes, maybe this is some hardware designed against accounting constraints.

tooltalk 9y ago

No. Qualcomm's patented features do drive market demand (or add value) for mobile devices, including that of Apple's. That's why Qualcomm can ask a percentage of the entire device. This is not so with MacBook Pro -- unless Qualcomm can prove it otherwise.