Why doesn't the MBA have Cellular WiFi capability?

iSensei · Dec 9, 2012, 12:23 PM

If they can fit a SIM card slot and a cellular antenna into the iPad why can't the MBA have the same?

GGJstudios · Dec 9, 2012, 12:27 PM

Beanoir · Dec 9, 2012, 12:29 PM

Because they don't want to I guess. Why they don't want is anybody's guess, not enough demand for it, not enough space for it, Apple want people to buy iPads, people don't really want another SIM contract etc etc..but there is no formal response on it from Apple so it's all going to be guesses.

Pick one.

JeffiJers · Dec 9, 2012, 12:32 PM

takes up space and power.

idk about you but my S3 tethers perfectly, have to love unlimited LTE data as well

plus add in Air Droid and this Air is a complete solution. Can leave my phone in my bad and do anything from the Air

krravi · Dec 9, 2012, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffiJers

takes up space and power.

idk about you but my S3 tethers perfectly, have to love unlimited LTE data as well

plus add in Air Droid and this Air is a complete solution. Can leave my phone in my bad and do anything from the Air

Takes up space isn't much of an issue but the Power, definitely.

That's why I got the Verizon iPad as I can use it as an Hotspot as well

53x12 · Dec 9, 2012, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iSensei

If they can fit a SIM card slot and a cellular antenna into the iPad why can't the MBA have the same?

Just get a mobile wifi hotspot if you don't tether your phone.

Mrbobb · Dec 9, 2012, 01:47 PM

Dunn know but am hoping the VERY AFFORDABLE ChromeBook is making laptop vendors take notice.

53x12 · Dec 9, 2012, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrbobb

Dunn know but am hoping the VERY AFFORDABLE ChromeBook is making laptop vendors take notice.

You mean the one that you basically need an Internet connection to get any work done?

hwojtek · Dec 9, 2012, 02:33 PM

We have been here: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1417964

GGJstudios · Dec 9, 2012, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwojtek

We have been here: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1417964

Yep. And we've been here ^, as well. (see post #2)

Beanoir · Dec 9, 2012, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrbobb

Dunn know but am hoping the VERY AFFORDABLE ChromeBook is making laptop vendors take notice.

i doubt it

plucky duck · Dec 9, 2012, 10:16 PM

I am assuming power consumption and demand for such a product would be primary concerns.

entatlrg · Dec 9, 2012, 10:18 PM

Would cut into tablet sales.

Johnny Alien · Dec 10, 2012, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrbobb

Dunn know but am hoping the VERY AFFORDABLE ChromeBook is making laptop vendors take notice.

Like 53X12 said these laptops are 100% cloud based and are fairly useless without a connection. Because of that 3G can be an important asset. With a MBA you can work locally so constant connections aren't a major concern. Couple that with lots of free wifi spots and hotspot/tethering with phones and there is little need a cellular connection.

Booji · Dec 10, 2012, 11:09 PM

I had a Toshiba R600 a while back. In many ways, it was ages ahead of the MBA. It had a built in 3G radio which I thought was one of the best features about it. You never have to tether it - just open the lid and instant connectivity. I would love it if the next generation MBA had it.

Dec 9, 2012, 12:23 PM	#1
iSensei Banned Join Date: Nov 2012	Why doesn't the MBA have Cellular WiFi capability? If they can fit a SIM card slot and a cellular antenna into the iPad why can't the MBA have the same?
	0

Dec 9, 2012, 12:29 PM	#3
Beanoir macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: 51 degrees North	Because they don't want to I guess. Why they don't want is anybody's guess, not enough demand for it, not enough space for it, Apple want people to buy iPads, people don't really want another SIM contract etc etc..but there is no formal response on it from Apple so it's all going to be guesses. Pick one. __________________ iPhone5 32Gb-iPad Mini 64Gb iMac 27" 3.2Ghz i3 / 16Gb / 1Tb MacMini 2.33GHz / 128Gb SSD / 20" ACD Macbook Air 11.6" 1.6Ghz i5 / 4Gb / 128Gb
	0

Dec 9, 2012, 02:33 PM	#9
hwojtek macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: A small rural village in western Poland	We have been here: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1417964 __________________ Wojtek More Macs than I can count, really. Like 20 or so...
	1

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Dec 9, 2012, 12:27 PM	#2
GGJstudios macrumors Westmere Join Date: May 2008	Why no built-in cellular connectivity?
	0

Dec 9, 2012, 12:32 PM	#4
JeffiJers macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: U.S.	takes up space and power. idk about you but my S3 tethers perfectly, have to love unlimited LTE data as well plus add in Air Droid and this Air is a complete solution. Can leave my phone in my bad and do anything from the Air
	0

Dec 9, 2012, 01:47 PM	#7
Mrbobb macrumors 68020 Join Date: Aug 2012	Dunn know but am hoping the VERY AFFORDABLE ChromeBook is making laptop vendors take notice.
	0

Dec 9, 2012, 10:16 PM	#12
plucky duck macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2012	I am assuming power consumption and demand for such a product would be primary concerns.
	0

Dec 9, 2012, 10:18 PM	#13
entatlrg macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Waterloo & Georgian Bay, Canada	Would cut into tablet sales.
	1

Dec 10, 2012, 11:09 PM	#15
Booji macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Singapore	I had a Toshiba R600 a while back. In many ways, it was ages ahead of the MBA. It had a built in 3G radio which I thought was one of the best features about it. You never have to tether it - just open the lid and instant connectivity. I would love it if the next generation MBA had it.
	0