Why Apple never put cellular connectivity in MBP's

[Allen_Wentz]

As rumors of a redesigned MBP coming in the fall are in full swing, some are suggesting that Apple may finally include a cellular modem in that MBP, for the first time ever, because they now produce their own cell modems.

But I've often wondered, and i'm sure it's been discussed, why Apple has never offered that as an option, given that PC laptops have offered these for 20+ years.

Yes I know we can tether from phones, and Apple does make it easier to use, but it's not perfect, it does randomly disconnect or stop working, and if you happen to walk away with your phone, the connection gets lost. A native, built in solution works a lot better, and I have used PC laptops with it built in, and it's a seamless experience.

Of course Apple had offered cellular connection on iPads, but even at this stage of the iPadOS, it's can't be a full laptop replacement due to still many iPadOS limitations.

Curious to hear your ideas as to why it has never materialized, and would you want one.

I used to use MBPs in the field with no WiFi constantly, and badly wanted/needed built-in cellular. Today WiFi is ubiquitous, the MBP is seldom used where WiFi is unavailable and tethering works well, so I probably would not pay the extra ~$10 monthly carrier fee to have a laptop cellular connection.

However if it was a $50 add (yeah, I know Apple mostly does $100-$200 adds...) I would probably buy it in my next MBP "just in case" a scenario presented where it was convenient to have cellular in the laptop. It only takes a phone call to add a $10 line to the AT&T account. Plus whenever I have ended up routinely using cellular for the laptop, cellular data usage skyrockets, so I probably would need to modify the account data plan to avoid throttling.

 

[poorcody]

Don't forget too that until I guess LTE and 5G, bandwidth limitations would make the experience less than ideal, and maybe even carriers would discourage it since a laptop would typically want a lot more bandwidth than a phone, and even an iPad.

Like most things, it probably was a multifactorial decision.

 

[alanvitek]

Don't forget too that until I guess LTE and 5G, bandwidth limitations would make the experience less than ideal, and maybe even carriers would discourage it since a laptop would typically want a lot more bandwidth than a phone, and even an iPad.

Like most things, it probably was a multifactorial decision.

Bandwidth is what I was thinking too. On a phone I’m not consuming nearly as much data as I would on a MBP. In the US hotpsotting comes with limits usually too and I feel like a MBP that’s constantly connected would burn through many existing cellular plans quickly.

 

[HiVolt]

Because they want you to buy a phone to tether it to, duh.

A person that has a MBP, 90% they already have an iPhone.

 

[HiVolt]

Don't forget too that until I guess LTE and 5G, bandwidth limitations would make the experience less than ideal, and maybe even carriers would discourage it since a laptop would typically want a lot more bandwidth than a phone, and even an iPad.

Like most things, it probably was a multifactorial decision.

LTE has been around since 2012 where I live. And even then, it was a huge difference between 3G and the first generation LTE, this is my first LTE speedtest on iPhone 5, when I first switched to a LTE cell plan. The image says iPhone 6, but its wrong, iPhone 6 didn't exist in 2013. These speeds were faster than some people had on home broadband internet here.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I already pay Verizon Wireless $13/mo for my Apple Watch Ultra internet ability. Can't imagine what they'd charge to allow me to add my MacBook to my cellular plan ...

Every time I've needed cellular - whether it be with my iPad or my MacBook - I go to wifi, click my iPhone and then go back to work (takes 3 clicks (Settings --> Wifi --> iPhone)). Won't be paying more for that.

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

My ideal situation would be having cellular connectivity on all devices, and being able to have Starlink phone service, etc. The day will come where Satellite based internet/phone service completely replaces everything else, and I welcome it with open arms.

 

[erihp]

My ideal situation would be having cellular connectivity on all devices, and being able to have Starlink phone service, etc. The day will come where Satellite based internet/phone service completely replaces everything else, and I welcome it with open arms.

dont agree. if you truly believe all internet and phone connectivity will be over satellite there is no point in discussion.

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

dont agree. if you truly believe all internet and phone connectivity will be over satellite there is no point in discussion.

Why?

 

[erihp]

Why?

you can only send so many packets to space and back before you question why youre sending packets to space and back

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

you can only send so many packets to space and back before you question why youre sending packets to space and back

I find that hard to believe, considering that I have been using Starlink for a while and I have had zero issues with it for all tasks.

 

[erihp]

I find that hard to believe, considering that I have been using Starlink for a while and I have had zero issues with it for all tasks.

you said all internet and phone connectivity. not your personal choice for an isp

 

[poorcody]

These speeds were faster than some people had on home broadband internet here.

Speed ≠ Bandwidth. Verizon and T-Mobile didn't start offering home internet until 2020/21 after lots of equipment upgrades. And even today, only in certain locations.

 

[HiVolt]

Speed ≠ Bandwidth. Verizon and T-Mobile didn't start offering home internet until 2020/21 after lots of equipment upgrades. And even today, only in certain locations.

Yeah, but business people would probably have special offers from carriers, and they wouldnt be streaming netflix on it.

There had to be some demand for it, since PC vendors have offered this for ages. Apple loves to upcharge for BTO options, i'm just bewildered why they would not have offered this by now.

 

[JPack]

Yeah, but business people would probably have special offers from carriers, and they wouldnt be streaming netflix on it.

There had to be some demand for it, since PC vendors have offered this for ages. Apple loves to upcharge for BTO options, i'm just bewildered why they would not have offered this by now.

How can you possibly compare PC to Mac? Roughly 5% of PC notebooks are cellular equipped and most of those are commercial buyers. What percentage of commercial buyers choose PC instead of Mac? 95%.

This means demand for Apple cellular MacBook would be 5% of 5%, meaning 0.25%.

How many Macs does Apple sell per year? About 20-25 million and about 90% of those are MacBooks. Damn, so that means Apple would sell 50,000 to 60,000 cellular MacBooks per year.

Do some math and it's no surprise why Apple doesn't do it.

Notebook PC Cellular Connectivity and Embedded SIM Shipment and Installed Base Forecast 2015-2028 | TechInsights

In 2023, cellular connected notebook PCs are expected to decline along with the wider PC market, down 13% versus 2022 to 8.8 million units.

www.techinsights.com

 

[TechnoMonk]

One of my enterprise client had two options for sales people.

1. Get something like hp x360 with cellular.
2. Get something like hp g11 notebook and iPad cellular.

The second option was more popular, and x360s weren’t really that good in data speeds.

Most of the cellular laptops are corp customers, Apple isn’t gonna try to redesign something for niche corporate needs.

 

[NewOldStock]

IPad with a phone would be nice too but ChatGpt says Apple didnt do it because they can!
It is not even about Cellular tech its about Apple refusing to do it and other companies as well.
Cellular Tech is just a modem and works with data.
Ipad with Cellular coverage only allow Voip and not other Cellphone Tech because they can.

So get wifi/cellular (Phone) hotspot to connect to laptop or ipad which cost more and is a sell up for companies and users lose out again. Compatibility is there they just refuse to change or make options.

You would think selling only a few million Laptops or Ipads with Cell phone applications would not make a 3-trillion dollar company go broke! Everyone i talk with i go into their Mail BOX phone system anyway.
If i had one of these these they would have to wait until i turned on the laptop or Ipad on anyway! 🙂

 

[Tyler.Schmaltz]

My ideal situation would be having cellular connectivity on all devices, and being able to have Starlink phone service, etc. The day will come where Satellite based internet/phone service completely replaces everything else, and I welcome it with open arms.

My internet is 5 faster on downloads and 28 times faster on uploads for $30 bucks cheaper than Starlink and if we go same price as Starlink it's 10 times faster download and 52 times faster upload. But yes in 2026 a service that has a max upload speed under 40 megs a second is going to replace Fiber. And you want a Starlink phone service that doesn't work at all indoors? You realize for satellite internet and phone service via satellite like the t-mobile partnership with Starlink and apple emergency satellite stuff requires a direct and unobstructed view of the sky.

 

[NT1440]

As rumors of a redesigned MBP coming in the fall are in full swing, some are suggesting that Apple may finally include a cellular modem in that MBP, for the first time ever, because they now produce their own cell modems.

But I've often wondered, and i'm sure it's been discussed, why Apple has never offered that as an option, given that PC laptops have offered these for 20+ years.

Yes I know we can tether from phones, and Apple does make it easier to use, but it's not perfect, it does randomly disconnect or stop working, and if you happen to walk away with your phone, the connection gets lost. A native, built in solution works a lot better, and I have used PC laptops with it built in, and it's a seamless experience.

Of course Apple had offered cellular connection on iPads, but even at this stage of the iPadOS, it's can't be a full laptop replacement due to still many iPadOS limitations.

Curious to hear your ideas as to why it has never materialized, and would you want one.

Likely not wanting to deal with licensing fees and other commitments. I think them doing their modem in house is part of a long game of theirs to eventually be a provider themselves.

 

[lostPod]

One of my enterprise client had two options for sales people.

1. Get something like hp x360 with cellular.
2. Get something like hp g11 notebook and iPad cellular.

The second option was more popular, and x360s weren’t really that good in data speeds.

Most of the cellular laptops are corp customers, Apple isn’t gonna try to redesign something for niche corporate needs.

Heck yeah I’d want an iPad as well. LOL a good friend of mine used her work iPad for home internet … when they caught on they were not pleased 🤭

 

[McScooby]

Am I living in an alternate reality or are people's memories so bad?

The reason that was getting chucked about a few years ago was the hold that Qualcomm had with the modems where they were demanding a % of the overall device for licensing nothing to do with battery etc. I had a few surveys back around 2013 where was asking about 3G connectivity, so it was definitely being explored.

But a % on an iPhone is way less than that of a MacBook.

Granted the C1X and later changes this, but me, I prefer to think it's because would rather sell you 2 devices rather than just the one.

 

[JPack]

Am I living in an alternate reality or are people's memories so bad?

The reason that was getting chucked about a few years ago was the hold that Qualcomm had with the modems where they were demanding a % of the overall device for licensing nothing to do with battery etc. I had a few surveys back around 2013 where was asking about 3G connectivity, so it was definitely being explored.

But a % on an iPhone is way less than that of a MacBook.

Granted the C1X and later changes this, but me, I prefer to think it's because would rather sell you 2 devices rather than just the one.

You actually believed that myth?

Did you ever wonder, "iPad Pro can exceed $2,000, does it mean Qualcomm gets a percentage of that?" Or, "Teslas use Qualcomm modems, does that mean QC gets a percentage of the car transaction price?"

Look at how PC manufacturers do it and the retail cost of a Quectel or Fibocom module.

 

[cjsuk]

I literally spent 3 months tethering once. It worked fine. I only have one telecoms bill then too. Why would I have more than one?

 

[Hicksmat1976]

in the past, maybe even now actually, I have seen some Microsoft Windows laptops with sim slots in them. several years ago I remember this to be quite a popular thing before mobile phone tethering became more of a thing. I dont think it's likely to come back into fashion due to the improvements on wifi connectivity etc. there are always dongle options or mobile/wireless hubs for 5G etc if you are a business type person and don't want to tether off your phone.

 

[JPack]

Disagree. Apple is removing slots, not adding them. It'll be E-SIM and they'll say deal with it.

I also see integrated cellular as a premium feature. 'Sophisticated' users will want it integrated, and not having to bring a second required device. Just like on cellular iPad. Extra cost, extra plan, but people who want it still opt for it, despite having the same opportunity to carry a separate hotspot device

The era of Jony Ive is over. MacBook Pro got more ports. iPhone got more buttons.

Sophisticated users want the Ethernet port on a mobile hotspot. They want the ability to reposition the hotspot for best cellular signal. A MacBook is used differently than an iPad.