Thoughts on a LTE MacBook Pro?

[adcx64]

With Apple using these tiny LTE chips in the new iPhones and iPads, would you guys buy a MBP with one of these chips? There could be a small nano SIM slot on the side, and it could incorporate the machines WiFi antenna for the radios. With these larger batteries they ship with today, I suspect only nominal battery life decrease, but I could be wrong. The chips themselves are not carrier specific, due to the LTE bands.

Thoughts?

 

[T5BRICK]

With the ability to tether to phones I'm not sure it's necessary.

 

[adcx64]

With the ability to tether to phones I'm not sure it's necessary.

sometimes its cheaper to add a data line than tether, but you are correct.

 

[IGregory]

With the ability to tether to phones I'm not sure it's necessary.

Plus, most of the time there are Wi-FIs available.

 

[WarrenFields]

I personally wouldn't really want my computer tied to a data plan as I'd much rather just use my phone for tethering just like I do now.

 

[mankar4]

I would buy an lte mbp in an instant. This would make me so happy.

 

[joec1101]

Not with the data plans currently offered. The Cell companies charge way more than they should for data, in my opinion. $30.00 for 2GB, $50.00 for 5 GB, etc. is just not practical for use with a laptop. If those prices ever become more reasonable, like maybe $30 to $50 or so for unlimited data, then it might be worthwhile.

 

[A Hebrew]

I cannot see much of a purpose of this...data plans restrict it too much, unless you like wasting a lot of money.

 

[markus843]

If they increased the data limit from cellphones, definitely. 5gb is too little for me.

 

[M5RahuL]

If they increased the data limit from cellphones, definitely. 5gb is too little for me.

This... I miss those truly *unlimited* data days from VZ and AT&T. Sprint doesn't count...it's POS !! and I still have'em because of the $20 unlimited everything executive plan!

 

[adcx64]

sadly the only way this would be practical like you guys said, would be to have unlimited or 10GB+ data. wish the cell companies wouldn't try and milk their customers for every dime!

 

[ROLLTIDE1]

This... I miss those truly *unlimited* data days from VZ and AT&T. Sprint doesn't count...it's POS !! and I still have'em because of the $20 unlimited everything executive plan!

If you want unlimited data on Verizon it's still possible and not that hard to get. I see where US cellular has started offering unlimited data

 

[adcx64]

If you want unlimited data on Verizon it's still possible and not that hard to get. I see where US cellular has started offering unlimited data

verizon used their confusing lingo to get me into a tiered data plan when i bought my iPhone. -____-

 

[dagamer34]

Adding an LTE modem to a Mac is the easy part. The hard part is none of the network APIs are aware of wireless connections. They would attempt to download the latest OS X update on wireless, stealing 1.5GB of your possible 2GB limit like that.

I think we'll have to wait until a new version of OS X for that problem to be solved (it also still exists even when you tethering your phone to your Mac, so they really need to start working on it).

 

[Stetrain]

I think the biggest issue is that things are changing so much, new revisions of network tech are rolling out every couple of years and the chips are constantly getting smaller and less power hungry. Also there still isn't a single chip/antenna configuration that can work for (almost) all carriers yet. Even the iPhone 5 has to have multiple sub-models to work with different carriers.

I'd rather use a phone or iPad with hotspot functionality for that purpose rather than building it into the laptop. Phones are usually on a two-year purchase/contract cycle, but a laptop could be quite useful for 5 years or even longer. Why tie yourself to a particular carrier and network technology for that long?

 

[ixodes]

Apple would be sued for copying the PC makers that have been doing this for years. Being woefully behind, or forcing users to tether is laughable.

 

[psykick5]

I use over 100GB of data per month. No thanks.

 

[alphaod]

3G on the laptop would be nice, but it would mean Apple can't just use that little plastic strip at the hinge. they need to incorporate antennas in to the display; can't imagine them doing that!

 

[dagamer34]

3G on the laptop would be nice, but it would mean Apple can't just use that little plastic strip at the hinge. they need to incorporate antennas in to the display; can't imagine them doing that!

The WiFi antenna is in the Apple logo. Has been for years.

 

[Mrbobb]

if the Ipad has it, don't see why not... unless some hidden business reason.

 

[alphaod]

The WiFi antenna is in the Apple logo. Has been for years.

For the MacBook Pro the WiFi antenna has always been in the hinge.

On the iMac, the antenna is in the Apple logo on the back.