HP announces integrated Sprint mobile broadband for business laptops

Those looking for a little EV-DO with their laptop but not willing to put up with the protrusion of a USB modem will soon have a few more options to consider from HP, which has announced a bundle of new business laptops equipped with some embedded mobile broadband courtesy of Sprint. Those include updated versions of the HP Compaq 2710p convertible laptop (pictured above), the 6510b, the 6910p, and the 8510 series, along with a couple of other unspecified models expected "later this year." Each of those will boast support for EV-DO Rev. A technology, and each will also get a free month of Sprint's mobile broadband service if you sign up for a one or two-year contract. Of course, this isn't the first time HP has offered integrated EV-DO in its laptops, with its partnership with Verizon having already resulted in a number of mobile broadband-equipped models.

[Johnathon Zirkle @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:02PM]

Will it play Doom multiplayer?

[Dale @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:45PM]

If only Apple offered this, even the dinkiest USB modem sticks out way more than I'd like.

[michael @ Oct 22nd 2007 4:39PM]

Yep, as Apple is the "only" one that does things so well.

[daniel @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:59PM]

Why EVDO and why now? Sprint is about to start rolling out WiMax. It will be a long time before it's widely available but it still seems like a better bet than EVDO

[IsLNdbOi @ Oct 22nd 2007 5:09PM]

Are there even any non-draft WiMax gear on the market yet?

[John M @ Oct 22nd 2007 5:24PM]

This is a great idea. It just depends on network availability and speeds. If it can hold water in those two areas its a good thing to have it pre installed. I hate the fact that your locked into a single company. This "hardware" should let you access any service like this from any provider. Its kind of a waste of space if you dont intend on using sprint. But, I still think its a good option for someone that has predetermined they are going to use the Sprint service.