Lenovo adds integrated WiMAX capability in ThinkPad / IdeaPad families

It's a big day in Baltimore with the proper launch of Sprint's XOHM WiMAX network, and Lenovo's making sure it snags a bit of that limelight to announce this. Starting today, prospective customers can snatch up a ThinkPad SL300, SL500, X301 and T400 with integrated WiMAX capability, meaning that you can hop on the ultra-fast mobile internet highway in Baltimore and elsewhere if you're really lucky. Later this year, the laptop maker will be adding the option on its business-focused ThinkPad W500, W700, SL400 and X200 models as well as the consumer-minded IdeaPad Y530. There's no word on how much this capability adds to the cost of a machine, but WiMAX-enabled lappies can be had starting at $720 right now.

[Cybergypsy @ Oct 8th 2008 2:37PM]

Why are they all so ugly?

[tom @ Oct 8th 2008 2:55PM]

TROLL ALERT !!

[lanosian @ Oct 8th 2008 3:10PM]

well they are ugly

[subrat @ Oct 30th 2008 8:15AM]

Beauty is subjective. That is Thinkpads' trademark design. Some people like it, the others like vaio/apple/...

[Jason @ Oct 8th 2008 2:41PM]

Well for the T400 it's about $25 more for the WiMax 5350 over an Intel 5300.

[Xeno @ Oct 8th 2008 2:52PM]

This is why WiMAX will succeed. Within a year, WiMAX will become standard on most laptops like WiFi. Sprint won't even have to market the service. People will see a hotspot appear and think it's WiFi. It will be self-marketing within a year.

Wait until cameras, gps device, mp3 players/ipod touch, psp/gameboy and other products have WiMAX. People will have it and not even know it.

Intel has got to get WiMAX/WiFi chipset down to the same price as a WiFi only chipset. Then WiFi product makers will naturally use the combo chip. It's a no brainer.

[wickedpheonix @ Oct 8th 2008 4:18PM]

It doesn't change the fact that you have to pay for WiMax whereas most WiFi hotspots are free.

[Cybergypsy @ Oct 8th 2008 2:57PM]

Its thick and ugly sorry no troll here!

[JamesR @ Oct 8th 2008 3:04PM]

Cybergypsy @ Oct 8th 2008 2:37PM

Why are they all so ugly?

You're a troll. iSteve called, his lawn needs cutting.

[Xeno @ Oct 8th 2008 3:44PM]

The ThinkPad X series (as thin as mac air) also has WiMAX available...

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/landing_pages/thinkpad/2008/wimax

[CB17 @ Oct 8th 2008 3:00PM]

This'll be great if I happen to get lost and somehow find myself in need of internet in BALTIMORE!

@Xeno
You're an idiot, you clearly don't know what you're talking about. The Sprint/Clearwire implementation of WiMAX doesn't work that way. It works just like any other $60/month (or whatever they end up charging) cellular data service.

[Xeno @ Oct 8th 2008 3:10PM]

Yes, I'm aware of that. WiMAX is competing with cable/dsl, not free wifi or 3g.

Just wait and see, WiMAX will be standard on most laptops in a year or so. Sprint won't have to market it, the device makers will do it for them.

[a ham sandwich @ Oct 8th 2008 3:27PM]

actually, no.

a.) its far cheaper than a monthly data plan
b.) theres no contract required
c.) you can choose by the day, by the month, or recurring
d.) its connects to the internet in exactly the same way as wifi, redirects your browser to xohm's homepage, then asks you to choose your payment option or login if you already pay

so, yeah. i agree with xeno. it will market itself because it's like a roaming wi-fi hotspot. think "airport wifi" but everywhere and far cheaper.

[a ham sandwich @ Oct 8th 2008 3:28PM]

oops! forgot to linkify: www.xhom.com

[Vic @ Oct 8th 2008 4:06PM]

You should probably read up more on WiMAX and be careful who you call an idiot. WiMAX has per day options available (I believe $10/day), so if you see a hotspot available (which would basically be anywhere in the city) you can subscribe to it for a day, just like when you're at a Starbucks or an airport over WiFi.

[CB17 @ Oct 8th 2008 4:33PM]

@ a ham sandwich
You're only partially right
@Vic
You're completely wrong

Yes, in theory WiMAX as a technology COULD allow the same level of interoperability as WiFi, but WiMAX as is currently being implemented relies on LICENSED spectrum which means that the only people able to get on their network are people who buy data cards from Sprint/Clearwire. If At&t or Verizon, for example, wanted to implement WiMAX, there'd be no way that you could just "decide" which provider you wanted to use. You'd be in the EXACT same predicament as you are now with 3G.

[Jacob @ Oct 8th 2008 4:53PM]

@ CB17

If you have a Wimax card or Wimax enabled PC and if it supports the proper spectrum, then you can use it with whichever provider you like. Of course, Sprint and Clearwire are the only providers in the US, but you can still buy whatever Wimax device you want and use it with whatever network you want. It's not like Evdo where you're locked into a certain provider based on SSN's. And it's not locked like AT&T cards are

[a ham sandwich @ Oct 8th 2008 5:21PM]

@ CB17

fair enough. my use of "in exactly the same way as wifi" was a bit ambiguous. i sawy. :(

[CB17 @ Oct 8th 2008 5:30PM]

@Jacob
Then that would make WiMAX cards no different than unlocked HSPA data cards that have the 850/1900/2100 bands.

[Vic @ Oct 8th 2008 6:40PM]

Reading comprehension FTL CB?

XOHM IS THE HOTSPOT. When you have a WiMAX card and it sees the hotspot (i.e. Sprint/Clearwire's XOHM network), you have multiple options in how to connect with them. It's similar when you go to Starbucks and want to connect to their WiFi network, you can do it by per hour, per day, or per month.

[Vic @ Oct 8th 2008 6:44PM]

@CB17

And to minimize for confusion, I'll simplify it even more for you. I'm talking about the connectivity for the end user, that when they buy a laptop with a WiMAX chip in an XOHM area, they will see and interact with it similar to a WiFi network. I NEVER once referred to WiFi's technical side of using unlicensed frequencies, suggesting anyone can establish a XOHM network like they can a WiFi.

[Vic @ Oct 8th 2008 6:46PM]

@CB17

And to minimize for confusion, I'll simplify it even more for you. I'm talking about the connectivity for the end user, that when they buy a laptop with a WiMAX chip in an XOHM area, they will see and interact with it similar to a WiFi network. I NEVER once referred to WiFi's technical side of using unlicensed frequencies, suggesting anyone can establish a XOHM network like they can a WiFi.

[CB17 @ Oct 8th 2008 6:58PM]

@Vic
You're talking about pricing structure. MY response was to Xeno who was shooting his mouth off about comparing how you connect to WiMAX vs. WiFi.

Both of you make it seem like you're going to be able to select which WiMAX "hotspot" you want to connect to and just click. That only works on WiFi because the 2.4/5.2 ghz spectrum is UNlicensed. What YOU are suggesting is no different than me pulling out my HSPA data card and putting whatever SIM I want in there from anywhere in the WORLD.

[Vic @ Oct 8th 2008 7:20PM]

@CB17

Once again, reading comprehension. We said the process to connect to WiMAX would be similar to WiFi, though we NEVER said there would be multiple networks to connect to...would have sworn I made that clear in the last posts. If only I had some crayons to draw it out for you.

What we are saying is that a user will power on his laptop and probably get a pop-up saying XOHM WiMAX service is available (similar to a pop-up when WiFi networks are available) when they try to connect, it'll present them with multiple options if they wish to do so. Your air card analogy makes no sense since you have to have a monthly service subscription (usually with a contract attached) with the carrier who's SIM you insert. With WiMAX, you don't need to have a monthly subscription and can just use it by the day, similar to WiFi (i.e. pay to use WiFi services). It doesn't matter that Sprint is the only one with licensed frequencies running WiMAX, if their service is available, to the end user it'll be a similar experience connecting to it as it is with WiFi (once again, pay-per-use WiFi).

[CB17 @ Oct 8th 2008 9:01PM]

@Vic
Did you even read Xeno's comment? My response was originally to his. Anyone's it's like your opinion is any less idiotic. Actually, if your claim is Sprint/Clearwire's "BIG ADVANTAGE" than their in even more trouble than I though. What's the point of offering a connect to option if you can only connect to ONE network with said data card. Also, it's not like GSM carriers don't offer pay-per-use/MB bundles/unlimited internet packages.

All you're saying is that Sprint has added some additional pricing options? Seriously? That's your big argument? Big deal. The bottom line is that their entire campaign including all of you WiMAX fanboy's proclamation for "City Wide Hotspot" is complete bullsh*t. To the end user there's going to be virtually NO difference between WiMAX and other 3G options (except maybe a little bit of a speed advantage until next year with HSPA+)

[CB17 @ Oct 8th 2008 9:02PM]

That was supposed to be "Anyways it's not like..."

[CB17 @ Oct 8th 2008 9:03PM]

Sh*t...And "they're" not "their"

[Vic @ Oct 8th 2008 9:18PM]

You missed the entire point of my response to you. You said Sprint/Clearwire doesn't work that way and I'm saying that it does due to the whole concept of per-day access. People will see the XOHM on their computer and they can connect to it at $10 for that whole day if it's available. They will set up an account, select their option, and connect which is a similar process to WiFi if you went to an airport or Starbucks. Heck, if Sprint/Verizon/AT&T offered contract free services that you can purchase at per-hour, per-day, per-month access, then it would also be similar to WiFi connectivity, connecting to a gigantic nationwide hotspot. Most laptops that come with pre-installed carrier air cards prompt people for connectivity on their networks; however you must agree to a contract to do so.

Never once did I claim any advantages of XOHM, only saying that to the end user it would seem similar to WiFi; for that to be an advantage and disadvantage is another argument. I take that you're randomly throwing around the "fanboy" comment, I safely assume that you're one that wants XOHM to fail. Personally, I don't care either way.

[CB17 @ Oct 8th 2008 9:33PM]

Basically what you're advocating is fake choice. Through your entire wall of text that's really what it boils down to. There's really nothing that WiMAX can do that any other 3G GSM network can't. Every time you want to connect with your 3G aircard the procedure you're describing is identical with the sole difference being additional pay plan options.

BTW, At&t DOES offer a SIM only NO contract option. You only have to sign a contract if you need something subsidized.

[Vic @ Oct 9th 2008 1:21AM]

Nice play on the red herring CB17. Heck, can you even define what you mean by "fake" choice, or are you just creating terms to try to justify your point? WiMAX is planned to be embedded in most Intel chipsets, something which you CANNOT say that about any cellular carrier. You have to buy an unsubsidized card (usually 200+) or pay a premium to get an embedded carrier card, and normally have to subscribe to per month plans at (for some carriers, at higher rates if you don't sign a contract). XOHM offers per day usage on top of monthly, which is similar to WiFi per hour/day/month usage. Why is that so difficult to grasp? You mention prepaid earlier; show me a carrier in the US that offers a prepaid mobile broadband option with an embedded or CHEAP unsubsidized card.

XOHM offers choices similar to WiFi through it's per-day option, which allows for easy connectivity when you need it. No carrier offers an *easy* solution that a user can get on for a day and be done. Of course, I guess more choices are "fake" choices to you.

[CB17 @ Oct 9th 2008 3:42AM]

@Vic
The "fake" part has to do with the fact that you're basically saying that since someone gets to "click on an available hotspot and connect to it" that it's like WiFi which, by saying that, is implied that someone is actually make a choice to connect to that hotspot. The reality is THERE IS NO CHOICE. If you're using a card that is compatible with only Sprint WiMAX hotspots then that's who you're gonna have to use, regardless of the steps that you make to actually get connected.

I'm not really sure how many times I need to say this, but I'm NOT debating on who offers what plans. The fact is that most major carriers at one point or another have offered some form of pay per MB, tiered data or unlimited data. And the bottom line is, it doesn't matter, that's not a "feature" of WiMAX (with possibly the sole exception being pay per session cause I'm not really sure how that works although there's no reason to believe it COULDN'T happen).

As for the chipsets being integrated, there's PLENTY of laptops on the market that use integrated 3G chipsets. Maybe Intel doesn't make them, but TONS of companies do. I sure hope you don't need me to provide proof for something like THAT.

Anyways, this whole conversation is pretty much, irrelevant. It doesn't matter how good Sprint/Clearwire do with their WiMAX venture. When the 2 largest carriers in the US (and all the carriers worldwide) come out with the same LTE tech that is capable of easily double or triple the speeds of WiMAX, there's no question that all the hardware manufacturers are gonna fall right in line and it will almost immediately become the standard for mobile broadband. WiMAX simply is a waste of their time and money. They're only doing it because they have no choice, because if Sprint doesn't do something to differentiate itself, it's gonna die.

[CB17 @ Oct 9th 2008 3:43AM]

Maybe I should have said "the illusion of choice"

[Vic @ Oct 9th 2008 2:40PM]

Did you just glance over my response without fully reading it? I pointed out that there are integrated options for manufacturers, with a major downside which is the premium you have to pay to get it. One of the points of my arguments is that the plan setup being similar to WiFi will give a similar experience to the end-user when connecting to XOHM, so yes you are arguing about the plans. As I stated, and restated, connectivity and setup for the end user is going to be similar to connecting to a WiFi hotspot due to the integration of WiMAX by Intel in most of their chipsets and the plan options (which is similar to WiFi). If Intel actually make good on their promise about most of their laptop chipsets will include integrated WiFi/WiMAX, then I believe that will be the case.

I don't even know what you are arguing against. First you say that it isn't possible for the user to have a similar WiMAX/WiFi experience due to spectrum licenses...which I pointed out that it has nothing to do with the end user. Then you say that because you *can* do something similar with other carrier 3G services, it's nothing special about WiMAX...which I pointed out that it can be the case, but WiMAX has the advantage of being intergrated in many laptops vs. having to pay a premium for an integrated 3G/EVDO card (in which the user already has an idea of what carrier he/she wants, unlike WiMAX in which though it's through XOHM only, they don't have to knowledge of it ahead of time to use it...similar to connecting to WiFi at Starbucks or a hotel). Then you go back to plenty of laptops use it, when it's a minority that actually take advantage of intergrated 3G/EVDO chipsets due to the premium required to get it. Heck, most places where people buy laptops (Best Buy, Circuit City, Walmart), you'll be hard press to find an integrated 3G/EVDO chip in a laptop. When Intel integrates WiMAX in most of their chipsets, you'll be able to get a laptop with WiMAX at most of those places and most people won't even know about it until they get a prompt to connect to XOHM if they're in an area with XOHM available (similar to a prompt to connect to WiFi when a WiFi network is available).

"The reality is THERE IS NO CHOICE. If you're using a card that is compatible with only Sprint WiMAX hotspots then that's who you're gonna have to use, regardless of the steps that you make to actually get connected."

Also, this "illusion" of choice is just BS. You're not required to use it. You can either connect to XOHM, connect to a WiFi hotspot, buy a 3G aircard, or do nothing. Quit trying to make it appear that with the combo WiFi/WiMAX device eliminates choices when it actually gives the user more choices.

I will state this for the last time, that with the WiMAX/WiFi combo, if a person (in an area with XOHM) boots up his/her PC, they will be presented with multiple ways to connect to the internet (Multiple WiFi networks and XOHM) in which they can choose which one they want to use. With XOHM's plan options, the end user will see it as another WiFi option similar to Starbucks except with one major difference, a MUCH larger "hotspot." Since nearly every major manufacturer (Dell, Acer, Gateway, Asus, HP, etc.) utilize Intel chipsets, most laptops will eventually come with WiMAX/WiFi integrated chipsets unlike Sprint/AT&T/Verizon Wireless integrated air cards which are in a minority of laptops due to the premium required to get them and the terms/conditions to utilize them. Once again, all I'm saying is that to the end user, they will basically see XOHM/WiMAX as another WiFi network.

[CB17 @ Oct 9th 2008 4:31PM]

@Vic
Here let me help you with some of your paragraphs:

"I will state this for the last time, that with the HSPA/WiFi combo, if a person (in an area with 3G service) boots up his/her PC, they will be presented with multiple ways to connect to the internet (Multiple WiFi networks and 3G) in which they can choose which one they want to use...."

^^^^Fixed

"Heck, most places where people buy laptops (Best Buy, Circuit City, Walmart), you'll be hard press to find an integrated 3G/EVDO chip in a laptop."

^^^Because it's not cost effective because there ARE multiple options. But you can go to ANY manufacturers website and customize one of their computers with 3G. It has very little to do with the price of the chips and if Intel weren't shoving their chips down our throat, WiMAX would have the same problem (and probably WILL have it, just to a lesser extent).

"Also, this "illusion" of choice is just BS. You're not required to use it. You can either connect to XOHM, connect to a WiFi hotspot, buy a 3G aircard, or do nothing. Quit trying to make it appear that with the combo WiFi/WiMAX device eliminates choices when it actually gives the user more choices."

^^^I never said that you're ELIMINATING choice, you're making it sound like WiMAX ADDS choice, which outside of having a pay-per-session rate plan, there will be nothing different than any other 3G service.

It appears that a lot of your argument stems around the fact that Intel is a part of the WiMAX group so by default they are going to start putting the chipsets in the computers. But the problem with this argument is that it is completely irrelevant. It doesn't matter if every computer on the PLANET comes with WiMAX. It doesn't change that the addition of WiMAX only adds ONE choice to the mix: Sprint/Clearwire. Even if there are MORE WiMAX choices miraculously in the future, they would require DIFFERENT WiMAX cards so your entire argument about Intel putting them in computers by default as an advantage would be completely void.

I really don't think you understand the importance of licensed vs. unlicensed spectrum or you do and you're just being deceitful. The way you (and Sprint) position WiMAX makes it seem as though it's going to give you the same flexibility as WiFi (and I'm NOT just talking about the techical aspect). But the reality, is the end result for the consumer is going to be the SAME (for the most part) as if you use any other 3G data card. It doesn't matter if it "looks" like WiFi, or "feels" like WiFi, it ISN'T WiFi and unfortunately it doesn't provide the same advantages as unlicensed WiFi does. 5 years ago I was singing a different tune because I thought things would be different. But unfortunately that's not the case. It's not like it really matters anyways, I think the data card market is serving its customers (for the most part) just fine for now, and will get a healthy evolution when LTE is universally adopted combined with unlocked LTE data cards

[Vic @ Oct 9th 2008 9:54PM]

All you're doing is restating what I said. You're actually agree with me, but still desperate to find an argument.

The "replace x with y" argument:

"I will state this for the last time, that with the HSPA/WiFi combo, if a person (in an area with 3G service) boots up his/her PC, they will be presented with multiple ways to connect to the internet (Multiple WiFi networks and 3G) in which they can choose which one they want to use...."

Was covered from the previous post by:

"Then you say that because you *can* do something similar with other carrier 3G services, it's nothing special about WiMAX...which I pointed out that it can be the case"

Your argument of:

"Because it's not cost effective because there ARE multiple options. But you can go to ANY manufacturers website and customize one of their computers with 3G. It has very little to do with the price of the chips and if Intel weren't shoving their chips down our throat, WiMAX would have the same problem (and probably WILL have it, just to a lesser extent)."

Was covered by from the previous post:

"...but WiMAX has the advantage of being intergrated in many laptops vs. having to pay a premium for an integrated 3G/EVDO card"

Your argument here agrees with MY ENTIRE POINT:

"I never said that you're ELIMINATING choice, you're making it sound like WiMAX ADDS choice, which outside of having a pay-per-session rate plan, there will be nothing different than any other 3G service."

It's the pay-per-session rate that allows it to appear to be similar to WiFi hotspots to the end user. Without that, it would just be similar to cellular carrier solutions of month-by-month payments.

You keep going back to multiple choices of carriers through WiMAX which I keep saying I never stated that to be the case. All I'm saying is that XOHM will appear as another WiFi network to the end user. Please stop bring up the technical side of WiMAX/WiFi and their respective spectrum licensing. It has NOTHING to do with what I'm stating. I know WiMAX isn't WiFi; however, it doesn't stop XOHM from appear to the end user has another "hotspot." With it's per-day options, it can do that pretty well. All because you know it isn't a WiFi network, doesn't mean that the majority will. They will just see it as another option along side Starbucks or The Hilton when they are presented with connection options.

[CB17 @ Oct 9th 2008 11:07PM]

@Vic
I don't think YOU are reading MY comments. Let's try again but a little simpler for the slow among us.
Here is my response to the integrated card argument:
"Because it's not cost effective because there ARE multiple options."
YOU make it sound like it has to do with the price of the card that is keeping it out of retail, my point above is about the fact that since there is more than ONE different type of mobile broadband card, it would be INSANE for ANY manufacturer to make PRE-BUILT RETAIL laptops with specific card types built in, when there are several INCOMPATIBLE broadband cards available. There's no reason to believe that it will be any different with any other

If you're entire position is that WiMAX has an advantage simply because of what basically amounts to pay-per-session options, then I think you just wasted a ton of mine (and everybody else's who's reading this) time. Big F*ING deal. That advantage is almost completely nullified when used in conjunction with a CLOSED system. The reason why it's an advantage with WiFi, and PLEASE READ THIS, is because there are MANY WiFi hotspots from HUNDREDS of different providers around the nation. That ISN'T the case here. There's almost NO difference between having that and spending maybe a half hour before you go on a trip to plan for internet access with a 3G data card (by calling your provider and activating whichever plan you want). I can't believe people who believe in WiMAX have to stoop to this level to make themselves feel better about their already obsolete technology.

[Vic @ Oct 10th 2008 7:57AM]

I can't believe someone who wants a certain technology to fail would try to do all he can to remain ignorant on my statements. I already proved my point numerous times and you obviously want to remain close minded on the argument. I'm done and good luck to you, sir.

[Xeno @ Oct 8th 2008 3:32PM]

Here are WiMAX test results...
http://www.dslreports.com/archive?cid=265

Unfortunately Sprint EVDO results are mixed in, but anything over 3Mbps or so would have to be WiMAX.

[Jercb @ Oct 8th 2008 3:59PM]

Depends on the price but i dont think i would use it if it cost more than $30 (and i know it would)

[Peter @ Oct 8th 2008 5:05PM]

Rogers is charging $45/mo for 2Mbps \/ 256Kbps /\, Bell is charging $45/mo for 3Mbps or $17.95 for 512Kbps (eww). So I'm guessing that in the states it'll be less than $30/mo.