I have a rev. A 1.6ghz Air and I am very happy with the performance and value (I paid $1k on eBay, new). The recent news of 3G card in upcoming Air does not excite me. Why? I can use my iPhone's 3G now with PDANet for FREE, wirelessly. I can't imagine paying another $30 to AT&T to use the 3G card on the upcoming Air. Apple, give me something I don't have to pay more for!
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Not excited about 3G card in upcoming Air
- Thread starter HiFiGuy528
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No one is going to be forced into paying a monthly fee for internet access on the new notebooks. If you don't want it then you won't have to subscribe to it.
Still - it's a rip-off because obviously they spent money to put the 3G radio in the laptop - and that will reflect on the final price - which I would never want to pay for or use.
It should be a separate, more expensive SKU - and those who don't want it can buy the cheaper 'normal' model.
It should be a separate, more expensive SKU - and those who don't want it can buy the cheaper 'normal' model.
^ Agreed, but everyone is really upset over BS rumors (BS until they're announced). I don't use PDANet on my iPhone nor do I wish to do anything that requires me to jailbreak my phone, however, if there really is a 3G card (no one knows for sure) then it should be option.
Then don't use it! I doubt they will raise the price because of 3G if they add it. For instance they won't change the price from $2499 to $2509 or whatever.
I'm sure the components aren't too expensive for Apple, but they obviously have some up front costs in developing and engineering a 3G adapter integration.
A ripoff, haha, that doesn't make sense. That they will raise prices because of it is just speculation. If you don't like it don't buy it.
I'm sure the components aren't too expensive for Apple, but they obviously have some up front costs in developing and engineering a 3G adapter integration.
A ripoff, haha, that doesn't make sense. That they will raise prices because of it is just speculation. If you don't like it don't buy it.
Actually - rip-off was the wrong way to put it....
I guess I am more of a core type of person - I don't need to many extras etc etc on my machines.
example - i would love a Playstation 3 that plays games. period. no internet, no movies, no music, no photos, no wireless etc. and just pay for the basic function of what the device should be (to me) - games.
so when I see 3G POSSIBLY coming to the MBA - I just would rather not. Just my opinion.
It's not news, just a rumor. Apple supposedly routinely releases false rumors to different divisions to see where their leaks are coming from. They also may just be floating this idea to see how people react before they actually develop one.
The added cost of embedded 3G modem is negligible.. maybe $15-$20. So it will have no material cost impact on a $1500 laptop.
Since the whole point of Air is wireless mobility, embedded WWAN makes perfect sense and should have been there since day-1 actually. I mean, we have $500 netbooks shipping with embedded WWAN for chrissakes.
Personally, I am happy with NetShare on my iPhone, so I have no need for integrated 3G.. But there are plenty of people who will want to take advantage of it.
I honestly don't understand why some people get so hot and bothered about Apple adding options that will only make Air more competitive and more viable product.
Since the whole point of Air is wireless mobility, embedded WWAN makes perfect sense and should have been there since day-1 actually. I mean, we have $500 netbooks shipping with embedded WWAN for chrissakes.
Personally, I am happy with NetShare on my iPhone, so I have no need for integrated 3G.. But there are plenty of people who will want to take advantage of it.
I honestly don't understand why some people get so hot and bothered about Apple adding options that will only make Air more competitive and more viable product.
AT&T will probably pay Apple to include it whether people sign up or not. I am sure Apple and AT&T have done studies to determine what percentage would sign up for the service if it were there. I have a 3G card anyways... so, I am happy to have a 3G card built in. The service is actually very good/fast.
another question. Will you get the 3g option or will you pay the service if the 3g card is included?
Oh no, you will NOT have to pay anything if you don't want it.
I would suspect that the cost is minimal to Apple/AT&T to just go ahead and put in every notebook sold. However, maybe it will just be in a BTO option.
An even better bet is that could buy a subsidized Mac where AT&T sells at discount with card but makes you buy a two or three year contract for 3G service. People were saying a Mac netbook may cost $99 or $199 with a 3G data plan required for the low cost netbook, as the extra $500 or so would be subsidized by AT&T. They would make $59 per month for three years though.
Any way we look at it, Apple isn't going to force this on anyone as it wants to make customers happy and not alienate them. The actual cost of the 3G card has to be minimal, so I would suspect it's just supplied by AT&T. Then maybe Apple gets kickback as percent or something.
There are many possibilities, but I don't see it as a forced purchase, nor an extra initial cost.
There are other places in the world, where there's no AT&T.
I, for my part, would LOVE to have 3G built in. Im using a crappy 3G USB dongle to have internet access on the road for now. I pay $35/month for a 3G flatrate and two SIM cards (one is in my iPhone, the other one is in the USB dongle).
If indeed Apple comes out with a new MBA with embedded 3G, I'm buying one right away.
For this kind of device, it boggles the mind that Apple would be one of the last manufacturer to do it, better late than never I guess.
For this kind of device, it boggles the mind that Apple would be one of the last manufacturer to do it, better late than never I guess.
FYI: Any feature like this in any Apple product has always come with a price tag.
We'll pay for it one way or the other. They'll skimp on processors/gpu/ram/screen quality to make up for the additional components that are needed for 3G or they'll outright charge buyers for 3G.
They should put it in all their Laptops!!!
They can broker deals with all their iphone carriers/partners.
When's YMax coming and what's 3.5G? AAA 7.5mb!
They can broker deals with all their iphone carriers/partners.
When's YMax coming and what's 3.5G? AAA 7.5mb!
Who the heck says that it even exists?!
This is a moronic idea. I, for one, don't believe that Apple will do this.
This is a moronic idea. I, for one, don't believe that Apple will do this.
What $20 isnt going to do anything the price is already blown up somewhat so there will be no difference!
The last time Apple put a 3g radio in one one their devices it actually lowered the price 25%.
Don't be so quick to judge.
Yeah! I mean, I don't use the dashboard either. Why am I paying for people to develop that feature that I never use?!? It's so unfair. This computer should be tailor made to fit only ME!
/sarcasm off
Adding a new SKU to a supply chain has associated costs (initial and on-going) added to it, too.
I don't see the cost of Apple using something like the Qualcomm Gobi chipset (for universal 3G) adding any more to the overall cost than when Apple started using MagSafe or glass trackpads.
Consider that mass production lowers the price. If Apple were to tailor make a product just for you, it would cost millions, not $2499.
That the products would be cheaper with the features you don't want is an illusion. Apple wants to produce a product that sells well. If adding things that you don't want means it can sell better, it means they can make money. If they make something that there is not a big market for, the product won't exist at all.
I remember when I paid extra for an Airport card for my iBook G3. Today it is included with all laptops and they're are cheaper.
So if people want 3G you should be happy it's included if it makes it sell well as long as it doesn't detract from your experience even if you don't use it (eg. doesn't add a lot of weight or use a lot of power). Since it might mean Apple can sell at lower prices, not higher.
That said, I know the feeling of wanting simpler and less cluttered tools. One thing I like about the Air is that it gives you slightly smaller computer in exchange for giving up the optical drive. I almost never use CDs or DVDs anyway, those technologies are ancient ;-)
That the products would be cheaper with the features you don't want is an illusion. Apple wants to produce a product that sells well. If adding things that you don't want means it can sell better, it means they can make money. If they make something that there is not a big market for, the product won't exist at all.
I remember when I paid extra for an Airport card for my iBook G3. Today it is included with all laptops and they're are cheaper.
So if people want 3G you should be happy it's included if it makes it sell well as long as it doesn't detract from your experience even if you don't use it (eg. doesn't add a lot of weight or use a lot of power). Since it might mean Apple can sell at lower prices, not higher.
That said, I know the feeling of wanting simpler and less cluttered tools. One thing I like about the Air is that it gives you slightly smaller computer in exchange for giving up the optical drive. I almost never use CDs or DVDs anyway, those technologies are ancient ;-)
There's actually more people with 3G devices right now outside of the US, than people in the whole US you know.
Apple can find ample market justification without even thinking about AT&T.
Just a though