Samsung's SWC-E100 XOHM WiMAX ExpressCard gets reviewed

Now that Sprint's XOHM service is officially live in downtown Baltimore (and working in cars, phew!), how's about taking a look at the card that's handling the magic? Samsung's SWC-E100 ExpressCard, which was conveniently leaked by Sprint early last month, is a "simple, inexpensive" card that does a more-than-adequate job at placing you on the mobile broadband superhighway. Reviewers at PC Mag dubbed it a "solid first effort from Samsung for getting laptops onto Sprint's fast XOHM WiMAX network," and while the card "worked as advertised," the inability to work with EV-DO or any non-WiMAX protocol was sort of a downer. Furthermore, the card won't play nice with OS X and there's no external antenna port, but they do bundle a potentially important extra: a PC Card slot adapter for users with aging laptops. Bottom line? Not too shabby for $59.99 sans contract.

[Josh @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:30AM]

absolutely! 59$ sans contract for the first wimax card?! damn thats awesome!

[phanbouy @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:40AM]

XOHMGadget

[pball_inuyaha @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:48AM]

How much does the service cost though? Also are there estimates for the speeds and prices when this goes large scale, like most major cites and such?

[Gmail User @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:51AM]

This is cool. And for pball's information, the service cost aint too much. Could cost no more than 400indian bucks. For new reviews and tech news, check out this new and upcoming blog that gives an indepth detail on the latest gadgets ad reviews->www.engadget.com

I liked that blog

[pball_inuyaha @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:30PM]

Um we're on engadget right now. did you perhaps get here from somewhere else?

[awake @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:47PM]

Where is the other article on Wimax? Anyways, Sprint is going to have a serious jump on Att and Verizon, it looks like LTE will not be available for another 5 years:

http://www.rcrwireless.com/article/20081001/WIRELESS/810019975/-1/rss01

How is Wimax a "niche technology"? Notice how the idiot is trying to down play Sprints 4G, last I checked Att still hasn't fully deployed it's 3G. So is it safe to say Att is still 2G?

[Matt @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:19PM]

He's trying to downplay WiMax. AT&T thinks that HSDPA+ will go toe to toe with WiMax in terms of Speed, which isn't the case. Sprint is doing something that has never been done before... advertising actual data speeds instead of claiming that the network goes 3 mbps when it really goes 1.7 mbps tops.

The theoretical throughput ceiling on HSDPA+ is 28 mbps. Based on current trends, real world HSDPA+ speeds might look more like 10-14 mbps.

Verizon is probably going to roll out EVDO rev B... nothing too special about it. It's not quite as fast as WiMax or HSDPA+.

The Theoretical throughput ceiling on WiMax wave 1 is 70 Mbps. While HSDPA+ needs to be maxed out, WiMax will just need to go half way.

LTE won't see the light of day for another 4-5 years so Sprint has a very nice lead.

Sprint just needs to grow the network out as quickly as possible while keeping the service as reliable as possible.

Since Sprint Xohm is priced so well, I think AT&T is pretty much crapping their pants.

[thedesolate1 @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:21PM]

Its funny how LTE is going to be rolled out right around the time ISP's start stripping us of our neutral internets.

[Weezulguy @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:41PM]

I have been espousing the benefits of this technology for over two years in the classroom setting, been waiting to see the first consumer end devices, this is great. If you aren't familiar with the technology, give it a read, it's going to force Wi-Fi into dinosaur status when it's finally deployed.

[CT A @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:52PM]

Wifi won't be a dinosaur because Wifi and Wimax are used for different situations.

[Uberandreman @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:00PM]

Yea but it is really hard to fully grow. Once done, and done correctly WiFi is done. However their are other techs that will be pertty sick. I mean think Fiber Optics on WiFi with future/ faster frequencies. Or Satelite internet like the one Japan launched this year. Just because WiMax is amazing doesn't mean it will end WiFi or kill all wireless internet. The next couple years is going to be an amazing time for cloud computing and other amazing internet uses though!!

But I do have the million dollar question. When the hell will the NY/NJ area get it!!!! I want WIMAX!!!!!!!!

[Bob @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:54PM]

Regarding the comment in the review that the Samsung SWC-E100 XOHM WiMAX ExpressCard that it doesn't have an external antenna port: We had a chance to play with the unit (as well as ZyXEL's Xohm MAX-206M2) and there is indeed an external antenna port: see http://blog.wpsantennas.com/2008/10/xohm-wimax-external-booster-antennas.html

[Brad @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:54PM]

Hey guys!! Come check out the new XOHM Kiosk at the Arundel Mill Mall.. We are located in the Food Court... Great deals on XOHM Service... Ask for Brad