Sorry to throw some negativity to this little party but it is not the computer I am worried about as much as it is the morons who are running the Internet/cellphone companies who think they are geniuses about placing WiMax and 3G into an inexpensive device.
Currently, each and every company is charging $49.99 to $59.99 PER ACOUNT for their 3G services. Now if Asus, Acer and Dell all come out of the gate charging $299 and up for small notebooks like this (which will be incredible for all of us), families will purchase several of these computers because it will be affordable...until it gets time to purchase the Internet accounts for the computers.
First of all, I would NEVER recommend purchasing one of these machines with 3G or WiMax embedded into the system for the simple reason that I own three computers. I would only purchase my 3G or WiMax as an EXTERNAL USB drive because of flexibility to be compatible for any of my computers. To purchase and activate any of these individual machines with a 3G or WiMax account, that would mean if you own more than one computer, you would have to purchase multiple $59.99 per month accounts to have the compatibility for each computer. Also, since they manufacture wireless routers for 3G and eventually WiMax, an imbedded modem will not be compatible with the wireless routers to enable you to share the signal.
In other words, a simple mistake like this could end up being an expensive monthly bill in the long run.
It was a great thought to place imbedded 3G and WiMax modems in computers and devices but UNTIL THE WIRELESS COMPANIES CAN FIGURE OUT THEIR PRICING AND HOW TO WORK WITH EVERYDAY CONSUMERS WHO WILL HAVE TO AFFORD THIS TECHNOLOGY, THEIR METHODOLOGIES ARE NOT GOING TO WORK AND THEY WILL NOT SELL MANY ACCOUNTS!!! CUSTOMERS WILL BE ROYALLY TICKED OFF WHEN THEY FIGURE OUT THAT THEY CAN ONLY USE THEIR $59.99 PER MONTH ON ONE COMPUTER THEY ACTIVATED WITH THE IMBEDDED CHIP...AND THEY SIGNED A TWO YEAR CONTRACT FOR IT!
Things have got to change in the wireless industry...and it should start by getting rid of the cellphone cavemen who are running these companies and replace them with data people who can make their companies profitable, keep the prices low and work with everyday consumers, while making their product a value that is affordable for the masses. Until that happens, these people running these companies are in for a huge surprise...and in this economy, they will absolutely get what they deserve!
yeah, after quickly skimming through that, i agree - 3G is too expensive you're using it frequently... the problem with wimax though is its availability. but let's give it a few years and see when 4G comes out and a rate reduction in 3G connections...
like the iPhone 3G... I'm a bit sketchy in upgrading (hey, who says I signed a contract with AT&T *cough*), as I won't be using a hell lot of mobile data stream... and they only allowed skype over wifi...
It looks like Wimax will be deployed slowly, yet they will have a two to three year head start on LTE. Both AT&T and Verizon will utilize LTE and they will be using the 700mhz spectrum they just purchased in the FCC auction for $10 billion each...I know once they get LTE working, it will most likely eclipse WiMax in both range and speed from what I have heard...
Exciting times are ahead...I just wish they would get here already!
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Sorry to throw some negativity to this little party but it is not the computer I am worried about as much as it is the morons who are running the Internet/cellphone companies who think they are geniuses about placing WiMax and 3G into an inexpensive device.
Currently, each and every company is charging $49.99 to $59.99 PER ACOUNT for their 3G services. Now if Asus, Acer and Dell all come out of the gate charging $299 and up for small notebooks like this (which will be incredible for all of us), families will purchase several of these computers because it will be affordable...until it gets time to purchase the Internet accounts for the computers.
First of all, I would NEVER recommend purchasing one of these machines with 3G or WiMax embedded into the system for the simple reason that I own three computers. I would only purchase my 3G or WiMax as an EXTERNAL USB drive because of flexibility to be compatible for any of my computers. To purchase and activate any of these individual machines with a 3G or WiMax account, that would mean if you own more than one computer, you would have to purchase multiple $59.99 per month accounts to have the compatibility for each computer. Also, since they manufacture wireless routers for 3G and eventually WiMax, an imbedded modem will not be compatible with the wireless routers to enable you to share the signal.
In other words, a simple mistake like this could end up being an expensive monthly bill in the long run.
It was a great thought to place imbedded 3G and WiMax modems in computers and devices but UNTIL THE WIRELESS COMPANIES CAN FIGURE OUT THEIR PRICING AND HOW TO WORK WITH EVERYDAY CONSUMERS WHO WILL HAVE TO AFFORD THIS TECHNOLOGY, THEIR METHODOLOGIES ARE NOT GOING TO WORK AND THEY WILL NOT SELL MANY ACCOUNTS!!! CUSTOMERS WILL BE ROYALLY TICKED OFF WHEN THEY FIGURE OUT THAT THEY CAN ONLY USE THEIR $59.99 PER MONTH ON ONE COMPUTER THEY ACTIVATED WITH THE IMBEDDED CHIP...AND THEY SIGNED A TWO YEAR CONTRACT FOR IT!
Things have got to change in the wireless industry...and it should start by getting rid of the cellphone cavemen who are running these companies and replace them with data people who can make their companies profitable, keep the prices low and work with everyday consumers, while making their product a value that is affordable for the masses. Until that happens, these people running these companies are in for a huge surprise...and in this economy, they will absolutely get what they deserve!
whoa whoa whoa 5.3 paragraphs? really?
yeah, after quickly skimming through that, i agree - 3G is too expensive you're using it frequently... the problem with wimax though is its availability. but let's give it a few years and see when 4G comes out and a rate reduction in 3G connections...
like the iPhone 3G... I'm a bit sketchy in upgrading (hey, who says I signed a contract with AT&T *cough*), as I won't be using a hell lot of mobile data stream... and they only allowed skype over wifi...
Fil...
It looks like Wimax will be deployed slowly, yet they will have a two to three year head start on LTE. Both AT&T and Verizon will utilize LTE and they will be using the 700mhz spectrum they just purchased in the FCC auction for $10 billion each...I know once they get LTE working, it will most likely eclipse WiMax in both range and speed from what I have heard...
Exciting times are ahead...I just wish they would get here already!