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Apple Job Listing Suggests Possible Plans to Add 3G Wireless to Macs?
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I hope it means something, but more than likely nothing for a long while. But, if they got a solid Mac netbook with a decent resolution (1280,800) and on either contract or not (subsidised with unlimited data, preferably), then heck, I'd be more than a little tempted!
Since their hiring for this now, using Apples well known product development timeline, it means any device using 3G WAN is about 3 years away.
Why tie this into one carrier??
If Apple were smart, they would add a 3G/4G card that covers all the wireless bandwidths. That way you could have a setting/setup menu that allowed you to use any carrier and not be tied to one, AT&T in this case. I know there is the subsidization thing, but really, on a laptop. It is such a small piece of the cost and if they left it open, more people would use the service and thus they would get larger kickbacks from the wireless carriers.
If Apple were smart, they would add a 3G/4G card that covers all the wireless bandwidths. That way you could have a setting/setup menu that allowed you to use any carrier and not be tied to one, AT&T in this case. I know there is the subsidization thing, but really, on a laptop. It is such a small piece of the cost and if they left it open, more people would use the service and thus they would get larger kickbacks from the wireless carriers.
Would this make Apple the last major laptop maker to include built-in 3G?
They could add Blu-ray Disc at the same time, and be the last major manufacturer to have BD support!
They could add Blu-ray Disc at the same time, and be the last major manufacturer to have BD support!
Apple - Last at Last
Good Deal
I've had 3G on my iMac for almost a year now and it works quite well. Helps to have the cell phone tower a thousand feet from me--four bars all the time. I wonder if this would mean that I won't have to have the app, SierraWatcher, running. Most PCs this functionality is already part of the system. I can't wait until 4G but it would probably mean a new USB card for me.
I've had 3G on my iMac for almost a year now and it works quite well. Helps to have the cell phone tower a thousand feet from me--four bars all the time. I wonder if this would mean that I won't have to have the app, SierraWatcher, running. Most PCs this functionality is already part of the system. I can't wait until 4G but it would probably mean a new USB card for me.
Is this really that big of a deal? I'm pretty sure you can get the 3G dongle from AT&T for free if you sign up for a two-year contract. Considering that most people have ZERO interest in this service, I don't see why it would be built in. Far more people would rather have a Blu-ray Disc drive than built-in 3G.
Oh my god! I never use bluetooth in my laptop! I hate that the chip is in there. Why won't Apple just take it out!!??
Stupid?
Or the same as everyone here complaining about how Apple better not put 3G chips in their laptops?
I don't know that we can really know what Apple pays for 3G chips but it has to be under $10, right? I doubt they'll raise the price of the laptop over that. So it doesn't change what you're paying to buy the darned thing.
Meaning: If you don't want to use it, just don't pay for the service!
People around here have to make everything so difficult! Use it or don't. Your choice. No downside to ignoring it. End of story.
Stupid?
Or the same as everyone here complaining about how Apple better not put 3G chips in their laptops?
I don't know that we can really know what Apple pays for 3G chips but it has to be under $10, right? I doubt they'll raise the price of the laptop over that. So it doesn't change what you're paying to buy the darned thing.
Meaning: If you don't want to use it, just don't pay for the service!
People around here have to make everything so difficult! Use it or don't. Your choice. No downside to ignoring it. End of story.
Apple with a history of dumping things like floppy drives or firewire I don't see going for 3G, especially with 4G on the way. Simple third party cards or a tethered iPhone is a lot easier way to do it. However, if it is for the much rumored netbook then it makes sense.
If 3G will be in all apple notebooks, I hope they just come with the 3G hardware so you can get a data contract with any provider. However, if this is for a netbook, I don't think being tied into a contract when you buy one is so bad, because it could be sold at a subsidised price. I don't think contracts would be as desirable for someone's 'main' computer.
I wouldn't want to have a contract with my netbook at all.
Even if it is an Apple netbook.
By using one..... me personally..... I am acknowledging that I am only going to do minor tasks with it such as writing papers, emails, surfing the web, listening to some tunes, etc.
Those tasks can be done on a PC with the same software that I would use on the Mac, and the PC wouldn't come with an expensive AT&T contract.
OR.
Apple could do that and put it out on Sprint's already up and running 4G.
I hope this rumor is true. It's not just that a dongle or expresscard looks unsightly but it gets in the way when using the computer. It sticks out and i get scared that it will get knocked and cause damage to the computer. I have personally knocked mine out a few times and to have it built in would make the computer look sleeker and will provide a real all-in-one solution which seems to be what apple always aims for.
Since 3.0 of the iPhone is rumored to have tethering Why wait for a "Netbook" or update of the MB OR MBP to have a 3G chip ? Either way AT&T is going to take more money from your wallet for tethering or adding on a feature.
Besides AT&T's 3G network is NOT the best, but this depends on your location also.
I would NOT hold off on buying because of the 3G chip, considering Verizon if going to be 4G next year, but no one knows whats going on with Apple & Verizon but the two companies themselves.
Why wait for a "Netbook" or update of the MB OR MBP to have a 3G chip ? Either way AT&T is going to take more money from your wallet for tethering or adding on a feature. Besides AT&T's 3G network is NOT the best, but this depends on your location also.
I would NOT hold off on buying because of the 3G chip, considering Verizon if going to be 4G next year, but no one knows whats going on with Apple & Verizon but the two companies themselves.