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The only thing which put me off getting a MacBook Pro last time I was shopping for laptops was the lack of built in 3G. So instead I got a Dell Studio XPS lapto

by trezor 16y ago

The only thing which put me off getting a MacBook Pro last time I was shopping for laptops was the lack of built in 3G. So instead I got a Dell Studio XPS laptop, with a Core i5 CPU, 256GB SSD, builtin 3G, full-HD display. For $1000 less than a "similarly" speced MBP (Core2, 128GB SSD, sub HD-res unless you want a 17" beast) no less. I really don't regret my decision, but if Apple would just consider adding a 3G module to their MBP-lines, I honestly think they would attract more power-users. Lack of 3G is such an incredibly lame thing in Europe where 3G is everywhere and wifi is a hastle.

pmjordan 16y ago
While I agree that builtin 3G would be nice, I ended up buying a portable 3G wifi router. (the TrekStor one, which is a rebranded Huawei E5) This works well for me, though I don't rely on it daily. If I did, the ~4-5 hour battery life might be an issue, vs my MacBook Air's 7-8. (it charges via USB)
notJim 16y ago
> where 3G is everywhere and wifi is a hastle. I'm an American, and don't understand this statement. Why is WiFi a hassle? And how does the 3g work? Do you just get it through your normal mobile phone provider?
- trezor 16y ago
  Yes. Wifi is hastle because you have to search for open hotspots, ask at the counter what the password is etc etc. And lots of times they don't provide instant connectivity, but redirect you to and force you to go trough some sort of user-agreement where you have to click "I agree" and maybe even pass out your email before you can actually start using their network. This is annoying. 3G is basically what your phone has with theoretical speedlimits up to 3-4mbps. Get a laptop with a built in 3G-adapter, insert the SIM card. You're done. You now always have internet. Always. Anywhere. No asking anyone for anything. No confirming silly agreements. No need to stay in one specific place to stay connected. Heck, you can use it in the back of a car while getting driven off somewhere. Why would I want place-restricted wifi over this? Yes, it's probably slower than Wifi, but watch me care: It just works(tm).
  - notJim 16y ago
    Ahh, I see. That's more-or-less the same situation we have here, except that I like talking to the cute girl behind the counter at the coffee shop :).
    - Udo 16y ago
      In Europe, they're not necessarily cute or even girls. Also, most places don't even have WiFi (at least here in Germany). The only way to be sure is to go to an American franchise such as Starbucks or McDonald's, and only very select cities have a Starbucks. McD's of course is everywhere but those are not exactly places anyone would want to read their emails in. 3G coverage is not ideal (it falls back to basic GPRS or 2G in many locations) but it's enough for getting emails. I wish phone manufacturers or Apple would offer a PAN solution, a personal network that every device in a person's vicinity could use for net access. Ideally, this would be a mini WiFi or Bluetooth router inside the cell phone that's always on. Of course, such a setup is doable with a lot of hassle with some very specific combination of devices, but it would be really great if it simply worked without painful hacks. Portable 3G routers are a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, they are clunky standalone devices with a very limited battery life...
      - mtklein 16y ago
        For something that simply works without any painful hacks, Android 2.2+ has a built-in WiFi hotspot feature. Turn it on and you've got a personal WiFi network that goes out to the world over your mobile's data connection. I've used it for about a year with no problems at all. If you're using the WiFi hotspot for a long time and you find you're running out of battery, you can just plug it in to your laptop to charge over USB.
        trezor 16y ago
        Heck. Windows Mobile 5 had that (via bloototh or USB). It's still nice for your laptop to have dedicated connectivity and relying on external devices.
Yaggo 16y ago
iPhone tethering anyone? Integrated 3G would be redundant.

by trezor 16y ago

pmjordan 16y ago

While I agree that builtin 3G would be nice, I ended up buying a portable 3G wifi router. (the TrekStor one, which is a rebranded Huawei E5) This works well for me, though I don't rely on it daily. If I did, the ~4-5 hour battery life might be an issue, vs my MacBook Air's 7-8. (it charges via USB)

notJim 16y ago

> where 3G is everywhere and wifi is a hastle. I'm an American, and don't understand this statement. Why is WiFi a hassle? And how does the 3g work? Do you just get it through your normal mobile phone provider?

trezor 16y ago
Yes. Wifi is hastle because you have to search for open hotspots, ask at the counter what the password is etc etc. And lots of times they don't provide instant connectivity, but redirect you to and force you to go trough some sort of user-agreement where you have to click "I agree" and maybe even pass out your email before you can actually start using their network. This is annoying. 3G is basically what your phone has with theoretical speedlimits up to 3-4mbps. Get a laptop with a built in 3G-adapter, insert the SIM card. You're done. You now always have internet. Always. Anywhere. No asking anyone for anything. No confirming silly agreements. No need to stay in one specific place to stay connected. Heck, you can use it in the back of a car while getting driven off somewhere. Why would I want place-restricted wifi over this? Yes, it's probably slower than Wifi, but watch me care: It just works(tm).
- notJim 16y ago
  Ahh, I see. That's more-or-less the same situation we have here, except that I like talking to the cute girl behind the counter at the coffee shop :).
  - Udo 16y ago
    In Europe, they're not necessarily cute or even girls. Also, most places don't even have WiFi (at least here in Germany). The only way to be sure is to go to an American franchise such as Starbucks or McDonald's, and only very select cities have a Starbucks. McD's of course is everywhere but those are not exactly places anyone would want to read their emails in. 3G coverage is not ideal (it falls back to basic GPRS or 2G in many locations) but it's enough for getting emails. I wish phone manufacturers or Apple would offer a PAN solution, a personal network that every device in a person's vicinity could use for net access. Ideally, this would be a mini WiFi or Bluetooth router inside the cell phone that's always on. Of course, such a setup is doable with a lot of hassle with some very specific combination of devices, but it would be really great if it simply worked without painful hacks. Portable 3G routers are a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, they are clunky standalone devices with a very limited battery life...
    - mtklein 16y ago
      For something that simply works without any painful hacks, Android 2.2+ has a built-in WiFi hotspot feature. Turn it on and you've got a personal WiFi network that goes out to the world over your mobile's data connection. I've used it for about a year with no problems at all. If you're using the WiFi hotspot for a long time and you find you're running out of battery, you can just plug it in to your laptop to charge over USB.
      - trezor 16y ago
        Heck. Windows Mobile 5 had that (via bloototh or USB). It's still nice for your laptop to have dedicated connectivity and relying on external devices.

Yaggo 16y ago

iPhone tethering anyone? Integrated 3G would be redundant.