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Apple 'Investigating' Macs With Cellular Connectivity
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Sure. But again, I'm sure some people have a use case for a dedicated cell line on a MacBook.
It depends.
The average gamer consumes 55 GB of data per month, according to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA).
Game streaming, like GamePass and GeForce now that support 4K go through 10-20TB per hour (based on number of active players). Number does fluctuate.
That’s in Wi-Fi. Nvidia did recently allow 1440p 5G streaming. Approx 10-15Gb per hour.
I game on GeForce. Activity monitor, I use close to 800GB per month on wi-fi
On my iPhone, I close the month at 100-120GB on T-Mobile.
???
Who is unable to afford to get into the ecosystem? The iPhone SE is $429 when not on sale and people can buy used devices. Nonsense like what you offered needs to stop, it’s just dishonest.
Have you done the math $720 is super cheap. And that isn't even including the data service. Keep dreaming
It's been available on PC notebooks for decades.
The issue isn't cost of the modem, but cost of the service. Very few consumers need this. It's rare even for commercial customers to require this. If you're doing productivity with a notebook, chances are you'll already have Wi-Fi or good tethering. That's why very few ThinkPads, Latitudes, and EliteBooks have this option.
The cellular card itself is only $100 (LTE) to $200 (5G).
I don't get why people want this in the machine. Cell technology is advancing on a regular basis, with new spectrum being added. So you'll rapidly end up with a machine that is outdated. So why not just hotspot?
I would love this
Apple is considering bringing cellular connectivity to the Mac lineup for the first time, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The Cupertino company is said to be "investigating" the possibility of adding a modem chip to a future Mac, but a cellular Mac isn't likely to launch until 2026 or later.
Early in 2025, Apple plans to introduce the custom-built 5G chip that it's had in the works for years now. The modem chip will be added to the iPhone SE, low-cost iPad, and iPhone 17 "Air," giving Apple an opportunity to test the technology before rolling it out to flagship devices.
From there, Apple's custom 5G modem chip will expand to other iPhones and iPads over a three-year period, and it may also come to the Mac. A Mac with a 5G chip would be able to connect to a cellular network just like a 5G-enabled iPhone or iPad, and Wi-Fi or a cellular hotspot would not be required.
The first Apple modem chip will be limited to sub-6GHz 5G speeds, but the second-generation version will support faster mmWave technology. Apple is aiming to outcompete Qualcomm with a third-generation model, offering better performance and AI features. Apple ultimately wants to phase out Qualcomm modem chips, replacing them with the modem chips that Apple has designed.
Last year, Gurman said that Macs with Apple-designed modem chips would be introduced in 2028 at the earliest, with Apple planning to integrate 5G connectivity into its Apple silicon chips.
Macs with 5G connectivity have been rumored for several years, and way back in 2008, Apple considered adding a modem chip to the MacBook Air. Then-CEO Steve Jobs said that Apple decided not to because the modem chip would take up too much room in the case and would lock customers to a specific carrier, but chip technology has come a long way since then.
Article Link: Apple 'Investigating' Macs With Cellular Connectivity
More and more cheap carriers offer eSIM - we are not limited to the offerings from Apple; at least not in Europe. YMMV.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
And yet, there are still places that are not eSIM cheap (or even eSIM available) that offer much cheaper, short-term access via physical SIM.
I'm all for eSIM replacing SIM but I'm even more for delivering maximum benefit for customers before cellular partners and or sellers. Partners & sellers are doing extraordinary well. Throw customers who pay way, way up for Apple tech some bones.
I'm all for eSIM replacing SIM but I'm even more for delivering maximum benefit for customers before cellular partners and or sellers. Partners & sellers are doing extraordinary well. Throw customers who pay way, way up for Apple tech some bones.
for wifi only ipad, yes i can use tethering with my iphone, but still cellular ipad is more convenient.
same is applied to macbook case, i think
so i would welcome cellular macbooks
in near future, hopefully touch and celullar mac will be on my desk
same is applied to macbook case, i think
so i would welcome cellular macbooks
in near future, hopefully touch and celullar mac will be on my desk
I’ve long suspected that Apple will eventually be a direct supplier for data connectivity, but they view the key in not having to pay Qualcomm for licensing tech.
I think long term we’re looking at Apple satellite/find my distributed mesh networking…and then you can choose a cellular provider alternative if you feel like it.
I’m talking 5+ years from now, there appear to be technological and business breadcrumbs…
Satellite will never replace cellular due to high cost and line of sight requirements. Apple isn't going to duplicate Starlink efforts by launching their own constellation of satellites either. Even in the U.S., market share of iOS isn't even 60%. Who is going to rely on Find My mesh networking for their data needs?
Apple will be relying on the current cellular patent holders, including 6G for decades to come. That's Qualcomm, Huawei, Samsung, Ericsson, and Nokia.
At this exact moment, I don’t have home internet. I’m in the process of moving, so I am doing without home internet right now. And I’m doing without home internet quite easily.
I have 6 devices connected to my iPhone 12 Mini right now. Three of the devices are smart speakers, one is a smart plug, one of my Mac and the last device is a TV.
Everything auto-connects when I turn on my hotspot. And everything stays connected once connected (24/7). It’s very seamless. I’m streaming 1080p YouTube content on my TV right at this moment while typing this on my phone. And just for the sake of this reply, I’ve also asked my group of smart speakers stream some Christmas music. 🎄🎄🎄
I have another TV that is giving me connectivity issues (that would be a 7th device if it was working). But I think that is a problem specifically with that TV’s Wifi connection (and not a problem with my iPhone). That TV had some problems even with the traditional home internet Wifi connection.
I’m curious as to how many devices I can connect before I start seeing any problems. I have a few more smart speakers and plugs I could add, lol. BUT — the 6 devices that I do have connected right now — no problems at all.
Note: I have an unlimited data plan that is truly unlimited (my wireless provider doesn’t slow me down for using a TON of data). And I have no tethering restrictions either. Your mileage may vary with your specific wireless provider.
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hehe, it's not about innovation
It's about pantent fees from Qualcomm, which are percentages of the sales price, so expensive devices pay a lot more for the chip. Thus, laptops that tend to be more expensive devices, the price increase would be substantial and thus Apple is waiting for their patent free chip to become production ready. (It's been many years since they bought the whole division from Intel, but analog chip design is not easy!)
I would love this!! I have an iPad Pro 12.9 on cellular and love it. I’m ready to upgrade grade tho I’d love a Mac air with cellular.
I always wondered why the lowly iPad could be had with a cellular modem but the MacBooks could not.
Apples own chip will likely make the costs more reasonable (to Apple). I’m guessing Qualcomm charged a higher license fee for a laptop compared to a tablet so Apple never bothered.
But what do I know?
Apples own chip will likely make the costs more reasonable (to Apple). I’m guessing Qualcomm charged a higher license fee for a laptop compared to a tablet so Apple never bothered.
But what do I know?
less unnecessary radiowave pollution I guess, like not adding to the crowded 2.4 GHz spectrum when the mac can directly connect to cellular.
The very first iPad had AT&T 3G service. It is bizarre they never added it as an option in the laptops all these years.