HP teams with Cingular, offers up HSDPA-equipped nc6400 laptop

Built-in HSDPA isn't exactly a "must have" feature on laptops just yet, but it's getting there. Following Lenovo (not to mention the others) into the wild world of WWAN, the HSDPA-equipped nc6400 is HP's first endeavor into the 3G laptop realm. Teaming with Cingular, the firm has unveiled a nc6400 with "integrated UMTS / HSDPA connectivity," and also features your run-of-the-mill WiFi adapter and Bluetooth to boot. Although the machine touts Cingular compatibility, it will reportedly work with other EDGE networks as well, and apparently the specs on this otherwise ho hum business portable have remained the same. Weighing about 5.1-pounds, the Core 2 Duo-powered machine sports a 14.1-inch screen, 512MB of RAM, and a "starting price" of $1,599. Notably, HP states that current owners of the nc6400 can give their machine the HSDPA boost by adding an HP Broadband Wireless Module if you're down with the $59.99 monthly charge for unlimited domestic data, but folks looking to pick the new edition up have to wait until "late December."

[Via CNET]

[Bill Clark @ Dec 11th 2006 3:54PM]

fun...now all i need is the $$

[Juice @ Dec 11th 2006 4:01PM]

If I currently already have Cingular with a data plan on my phone can I use this laptop with my current SIM?

[msapoz1 @ Dec 11th 2006 5:22PM]

I believe you can, but I heard that Cingular monitors the amount of data and if exceeds an amount normally used by the cell phone you will be contacted to upgrade your data plan to the computer data plan which costs more then normal cell data.

[Ray @ Dec 11th 2006 4:23PM]

Are you kidding me? High-speed wireless connectivity for laptops without having to wander the earth looking for a hotspot is a "must have" feature. Without it, hot spots are a "must have." The only reason everyone doesn't have evdo or similar wireless on their laptops is simply because of lack of availability and/or price. The content is already on the web to make it a must have. Streaming music/video, slingbox, email, etc...

Fact: Sony UX w/wireless broadband = destroyer of all competing products, from Ipod to Archos.

[aws910 @ Dec 11th 2006 4:38PM]

The only reason the Sony UX "destroys" the others is because its battery explodes. Anyone remember the Shofixti?

[Matt @ Dec 11th 2006 4:46PM]

like i said before... but its hp!

[Matt @ Dec 11th 2006 4:46PM]

like i said before... but its hp!

[Ray @ Dec 11th 2006 4:56PM]

Good point, aws910. ;)

[L3 @ Dec 11th 2006 6:40PM]

Everyone please stop saying 'must-have.'

Is this the same Turkey Vulture technology as shown on tv? I am a huge fan of Cingular but the boob toob says they are slow.

Is this faster tech than that?

Singulair? sp?

[resource @ Dec 11th 2006 8:42PM]

It's not a must-have feature like Wi-Fi yet because it's too damn expensive, they cap your upload speeds at a shitty level and they have limits for data usage.

Still looking to this feature becoming cheap and limitless in the next few years.

[frank @ Dec 12th 2006 1:41AM]

And, as I've posted a time or two, nobody seems to be talking about latency. My boss just picked up a Sony TX with Sprint's EVDO built-in. It's nice and definitely better than EDGE but there's still a lot of lag time when you click on a link. Intelligently authored apps and sites (like Gmail) can take advantage of the speed increase without losing anything to latency. But just plain old browsing makes you feel like you're on a mediocre dial-up connection.

[BLuckey @ Dec 12th 2006 2:39AM]

Manufacturer fanboy arguments aside, incredibly poor design and lack of foresight is why you should steer clear of this laptop.

How to Access the Sim:
1. From the underside, remove three screws labeled keyboard.
2. Push down four clips on top of keyboard
3. Pull up keyboard and disconnect the incredibly delicate keyboard ribbon cable from the main board.
4. Disconnect the antenna wire for the HSDPA. Make sure that you do not snap the connector off in the process, it�s very easy to do.
5. Flip up SIM door
6. Insert SIM. Make sure to consult owners manual as SIM orientation is not diagramed on the actual door and you will not know if it�s in right until you reassemble the computer and run the connection software.
7. Reassemble the Computer.

Troubleshooting: Why Won�t it Connect to the Network?
1. Replace the SIM

Seriously HP, WTF!? All other laptop manufacturers either put the SIM under the battery or in a door on the side. If this laptop doesn�t shout �Afterthought� I don�t know what does. If there is one plus to this laptop, it�s that the card inside of it is essentially a Sierra Wireless Aircard 875. I guess dumb luck still counts for something because it�s obvious that the designer was late for lunch when he/she put a good solid five minutes in to designing this beuty.