Photos of a Prototype MacBook Pro with Integrated 3G Cellular Data

[Shrink]

They probably thought, we can't put 3G in a MacBook before we but 3G in the iPhone! Plus, Jobs would never approve that antenna.

Now this is becoming less and less relevant with WiFi hotspots on phones.

Only problem is another $20 a month. These service charges begin to add up. As Everett Dirkson once said: "A billion dollars here, a billion dollars there - pretty soon you're talking real money"

Yeah, but I'm guessing back in 2007, Apple could have made it internal.
Or did internal antennas not exist in 2007?

Don't need internal or external antenna. My first internet connection was a Verizon 3G (and later 4G LTE) modem. The modem key has it's own antenna. Unfortunately, the 4G LTE modem hook-up was so crappy I dumped it.

(Don't ask why I had the modems instead of a fast and reliable wireless router, as I have now. It was my first computer, I was even more ignorant than I am now, and I got suckered )

 

[old-wiz]

While it's definitely UGLY, other than that I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

 

[jav6454]

Well.....Does the 3G work? Tell us man!!!!

If you read the article, you would have realized it states that the OS detects the 3G modem but does not provide connectivity.

 

[cantthinkofone]

If you read... and check out the source link for the auction sale it tells you that it does not work...

Thank-you for your smug response. I must have missed that sentence.

 

[danpass]

[url=http://cdn.macrumors.com/im/macrumorsthreadlogodarkd.png]Image[/url]


One of the most requested features for Apple's MacBook Pro line has been for the integration of some sort of built-in 3G cellular data to allow for anywhere wireless connectivity.

I'll go ahead and catalog that in my "No Kidding" file.

It's in the iPad, so how much longer Steve?

 

[Tootles]

Already been superseded by smartphone tethering.

 

[blackpond]

I suspect this was never released because a laptop generally requires faster than 3G speed. The benefit to the user wasn't strong enough. I'm willing to bet you'll see this across the laptop line when 4G LTE is more widespread.

 

[AlphaDogg]

I want this now

 

[wordoflife]

I suspect this was never released because a laptop generally requires faster than 3G speed. The benefit to the user wasn't strong enough. I'm willing to bet you'll see this across the laptop line when 4G LTE is more widespread.

Perhaps in 2007, but now, 3G is "good enough" for using on a laptop depending on your location.

 

[creator2456]

That antenna is a hell of a lot better looking than having a huge USB 3g data stick jutting out of the side.

 

[maattp]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Mobile/9A5288d)

I suspect this was never released because a laptop generally requires faster than 3G speed. The benefit to the user wasn't strong enough. I'm willing to bet you'll see this across the laptop line when 4G LTE is more widespread.

Requires faster than 3G? I can get 6Mbps on 3G, how much faster do your need?? My home dsl is only half that.

 

[paul4339]

they decided the get rid of this 2007 prototype in favor of another prototype antenna that involved wrapping a strip of metal around the edge of the device.

 

[ri0ku]

Thank-you for your smug response. I must have missed that sentence.

Your welcome. Next time I advise you read the article

 

[KPOM]

I'm guessing Steve Jobs took one look at that prototype, laughed at its appearance, and put an end to it. I don't think we'll ever see a Mac notebook with a SIM slot.

 

[res1233]

I WANT IT. Minus the ugly antenna.

 

[cantthinkofone]

Have the last laugh I don't care. Just next time don't nit pick people for a simple over look of a article.

 

[DrJohnnyN]

Your welcome. Next time I advise you read the article

You're*

That antenna is a hell of a lot better looking than having a huge USB 3g data stick jutting out of the side.

Agreed.

 

[res1233]

You're*

I've given up that battle ages ago. Until our education system picks up, it's rather an uphill one.

 

[cantthinkofone]

I've given up that battle ages ago. Until our education system picks up, it's rather an uphill one.

Wikihow

 

[cube]

A big antenna is the only thing justifying integrating 3G.

It still should have ExpressCard.

 

[KnightWRX]

Already been superseded by smartphone tethering.

A lot of folks around these parts seem to be missing this little factoid. Why would I want to shell out extra for a 2nd data plan and shell out extra for hardware I don't even need ? Everywhere I go that I might need "3G on the MBA", well, there is my trusty iPhone in my pocket to set it up for me.

I've had 3G on my Macs since I've had my iPhone 3GS.

 

[res1233]

Wikihow

and? Not like anyone who needs it would read it.

 

[manu chao]

Only problem is another $20 a month. These service charges begin to add up.

A lot of carriers do not charge extra for tethering (though a significant number of carriers do charge). But that is rather irrelevant since the SIM card in your MBP would also need a data plan. The question is thus whether two data plans for the same total amount of data cost less than one data plan + a tethering charge. And I don't think that question is a straightforward one to answer.

 

[*LTD*]

A lot of folks around these parts seem to be missing this little factoid. Why would I want to shell out extra for a 2nd data plan and shell out extra for hardware I don't even need ? Everywhere I go that I might need "3G on the MBA", well, there is my trusty iPhone in my pocket to set it up for me.

I've had 3G on my Macs since I've had my iPhone 3GS.

This. Although I'll wager that a lot of average users don't know about or understand tethering.

 

[zen.state]

Look at the keyboard. It's clearly a very early MBP from 2006-07.