3G MacbookAir

[dethmaShine]

Is it remotely possible this time?

I am developer; a communication systems engineer. I am trying to let go a macbook pro for some of the features of a macbook air. Precisely the need for a fast, battery efficient, lightweight machine. I do have a macbook and an iMac.

3G seems to be a requirement for most of the tasks if I'm not covered with WiFi. Is it possible that the next set of MacBookAirs come with 3G inbuilt?

 

[PorterRocks]

I would love to have 3G in the MBA, but I just don't see it happening until the next redesign. I hope I'm wrong about that though.

 

[brand]

The way Apple sees it all MacBook models are capable of 3G by just tethering it to your iPhone. Because of that they will not build integrate 3G into their laptops.

 

[dethmaShine]

The way Apple sees it all MacBook models are capable of 3G by just tethering it to your iPhone. Because of that they will not build integrate 3G into their laptops.

But not everybody carries:

1. A phone.
2. Or a smartphone.
3. Or a 3G tethering plan.

 

[ShiftClick]

The way Apple sees it all MacBook models are capable of 3G by just tethering it to your iPhone. Because of that they will not build integrate 3G into their laptops.

Really? Where did you see apple make this statement? I going to guess this is your thought process. So there is just as much chance of this happening as there isn't.

 

[TooSmooth]

Well, I would think that a lot of macbook air owners woud have smart phones.

I see what you are saying about the specific plans for tethering in the USA (real rip-off). Luckily here in Canada Fido/Rogers do not charge for this, you simply pay for the data and use it how you want.

I would suggest you get a smartphone for suer though. It is really easy on my nexus s. Simply turn wifi hotspot on and connect. The phone can stay in your pocket!



Think about it for a second. Why would you want 3g built into the laptop. It would be a huge hassle to swap sims from your phone to computer everytime you want to use 3g on the laptop (especially since you would miss your calls). If instead you would purchase a 3g sim simply for the computer why not just spend that money on getting a tethering plan instead and use it with any wifi device?

 

[blipmusic]

Why would you want 3g built into the laptop. It would be a huge hassle to swap sims from your phone to computer everytime you want to use 3g on the laptop [...]

Well in my case, the sole connection I have is a dedicated all-you-can-eat 16/32Mb/s 3G one with a dongle from 3 (Three) so it'd be great to have a 3G slot in my case. Before that I exclusively used my 3GS tethered for internet - no cables at home either. Current cost/month is around what I'd have to pay for cabled internet.

Not sure if a 3G slot/modem would fit but it'd be a nice addition for Apple's premier mobility platform.

Though, I live in Sweden so 3G broadband is fairly cheap and fast. Extra cost for tethering is horrendous in my book, especially for those of you paying for a set amount. The companies probably do not expect their customers to use up the "5GB/month" on a mobile/tablet, whereas tethered they probably will, so you're in a way paying twice to be allowed to use up your allowed amount. Odd.

 

[arul]

Think about it for a second. Why would you want 3g built into the laptop. It would be a huge hassle to swap sims from your phone to computer everytime you want to use 3g on the laptop (especially since you would miss your calls). If instead you would purchase a 3g sim simply for the computer why not just spend that money on getting a tethering plan instead and use it with any wifi device?

I, for one, would like a 3G slot so as to save on battery life on the phone itself. Using the hotspot seems to drain my Android device like crazy so, a dedicated 3G slot on the MBA would go a long way to conserve my phone battery.

 

[redshovel]

I would love a 3G MacBook Air!
I currently tether my iPhone 4 to my MBP using the Three Network 'All you Can Eat' data plan.
This works well but it does punish the iPhones battery life a lot.