Apple 'Investigating' Macs With Cellular Connectivity

[Kingcoherent]

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).

My iPad plan (uk) isn’t the best value. However, I do find it useful an ouch to just about justify the cost.

I had to use my iPad for work while my MacBook was being fixed. The cellular plan more than made up for the lack of full macOS (although it wouldn’t be a long term replacement). For people who are truly mobile with their computers - this is extremely useful. Also, I tend to keep my mac longer than my phone - extra cost spread out over longer.

 

[ellpee]

How much are Bloomberg and Gurman paying this site to keep linking to their proven to be unfounded speculation?

 

[macfacts]

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!)

its not even apple that pays for it, its the end user. Tim just doesn't like others gouging end users, only he can do that.

 

[Neepman]

Wow. Pretty slick. Just like my 200 dollar 2012 HP Chromebook!

 

[flowderf]

Now put small batteries in iMacs and Minis so they can stay on through power outages and short moves!

 

[davide_eu]

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

My first HP with that inside was at least more than ten years ago...

 

[davide_eu]

Because Apple would have to pay Qualcomm for the chip. Now that they are rolling their own (as rumored), they may include the capability... probably eSIM-only for maximum possible monthly rates vs. cheap SIM rates (particularly when traveling) even though Macs should have abundant room for a sim tray. Why? Because Apple fans just can't pay enough. 💰💰💰

Besides, how much extra does Apple charge for cellular on iPads? Why not charge at least that extra for MBs too?

Nahh... There will be the esim "compatible with mac"... premium price... And not all the esim "will work smoothly "...

 

[davide_eu]

Probably go through more. That why Windows when it detects a cellular network tethered, it will go to metered data consumption mode.

C'mom guys, that's FUD!

The mobile usage depends on the user, not the OS.

 

[davide_eu]

Cellular networks are typically much faster than what's available for home internet plans.

Sorru, I'm curious... Which are your sources?

 

[scrapesleon]

they bringing cellular to drive more sales after al those of not wanting add it

 

[JPack]

C'mom guys, that's FUD!

The mobile usage depends on the user, not the OS.

Have you seen the size and frequency of Windows updates?

 

[ikramerica]

Just tether…

 

[glenncashuric]

I would have purchased a Surface Pro with this capability had the Snapdragon chip been compatible with...well, ANY of my existing software.

 

[Sippincider]

Bad gut feeling they'll keep the iMac at 24" and give it a cellular modem... 🤦‍♂️

 

[SpotOnT]

Been wondering for the last 15 years or so why that isn't a thing yet. I mean, even a tiny Apple Watch has space for that. Esims make it so easy too

I believe it is because Apple has to pay the modem maker a % of the total device cost. So a several thousand dollar MacBook Pro would cost a whole lot to include the same chip they put in an iPhone.

Once Apple makes their own chips though, then there will be no licensing fee and they can bring it to the Mac.

 

[SpotOnT]

PC laptop users don’t go though TB of data per month.

That is because PC laptops don’t charge your first born child for 1TB of storage, so you can actually keep your files on device.

 

[JPack]

I believe it is because Apple has to pay the modem maker a % of the total device cost. So a several thousand dollar MacBook Pro would cost a whole lot to include the same chip they put in an iPhone.

Once Apple makes their own chips though, then there will be no licensing fee and they can bring it to the Mac.

There's a cap to that %. Otherwise, cars with infotainment would be paying thousands to Qualcomm.

Apple was paying $7.50 per iPhone to Qualcomm. Apple sued and wanted to pay $1.50. Even if those numbers were tripled for MacBook, it wouldn't break the bank for Apple.

Plenty of PC notebooks have Qualcomm 5G cellular modems. The upcharge is less than $200 retail for such an option. That was literally what Apple charged customers for an extra 8GB RAM.

Short story, cost was never the issue. It's the demand.

 

[Alameda]

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.​

No, Apple is not going to “test” their chip by selling it in SE models. Apple will thoroughly and rigorously test it before shipping it in any phones.

 

[maxoakland]

I’m surprised they haven’t done this before. It’s a pretty cool idea although I probably won’t pay for it!

 

[sledgehammer89]

Apple simply calls these Macs iPad and prohibits the use of macOS

 

[HiVolt]

What's there to investigate. they don't even have to reinvent the wheel.

except where other laptop makers make it easy with what is an add-in card inside and a sim tray, apple would have to have separate logic board SKU's, because god forbid they would make something removable or optional in a laptop.

 

[Dark_Omen]

It's going to be a lot more than $20. You can't get a phone and service for that. More like $60+ a month for three years for a MacBook Air with service... I'm sure the carriers will love getting $2160 over three years for a $1000 product!

Connected device plans are typically $20 a month for unlimited if you already have your phone through the carrier.

 

[Dark_Omen]

Have you done the math $720 is super cheap. And that isn't even including the data service. Keep dreaming

To be honest, I believe you don't have a clue about what you're talking about.

$20 a month for the service is pretty cheap. The $1,500 you finance comes out to another $41.66 a month.

 

[AriaAmaris]

This is a no brainer for at least 10 years.

 

[mrr]

About time!!