Toshiba intros WiMAX-packing Satellite U405-ST550W
By Donald Melanson 
posted October 8th 2008 3:20PM
posted October 8th 2008 3:20PM
Well, it looks like the flood of products piggybacking on the launch of Sprint's XOHM WiMAX network isn't showing any signs of letting up just yet, with Toshiba only the latest to hop on board with its new WiMAX-ready Satellite U405-ST550W laptop. That welcome connectivity addition comes in the form of what Toshiba describes as the "first ever" combined WiFi /WiMAX module, formerly codenamed "Echo Peak," which is about the only stand-out feature among the laptop's high-end but otherwise unremarkable specs, including 4GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, and a 13.3-inch screen with Toshiba's trademark TruBrite technology. No word on a price just yet, but it'll apparently be available "soon."
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, think it's WiFi and subscribe with no contract. It will be self-marketing within a year or so as more devices and more cities are deployed. Asia is about to take on WiMAX in a big way too.
Wait until cameras, gps device, mp3 players/ipod touch, psp/gameboy and other products have WiMAX. People will have WiMAX devices and not even know it.
Intel has got to get WiMAX/WiFi chipsets down to the same price as a WiFi only chipsets. Then WiFi product makers will naturally use the combo chip. It's a no brainer.
See that first part of what you said makes me worried "people will see a hotspot, think its wifi and subscribe with no contract" but what if they, and im not naming company names or anything, decide to make it a "hidden" recurring charge or something of the sort wherein you're suddenly getting billed for WiMax after you use it once..
Not to mention I, personally, would not pay to access WiMax at a resturaunt when theres perfectly good free WiFi available...
[Also, I somewhat see it that it will be another 2 years at least until we have anyone who knows what WiMax is around here..let alone getting it installed anywhere...I mean hell, we seem to have just gotten to "wifi" here..]
Why the hell do i want Wimax in my digital camera? I'd much rather transfer things off my memory card via nice fast Firewire [Except for the fact all of maybe 3 companies make Firewire CF readers from what I see] than sit there uploading them to some site, then downloading them and importing them into Lightroom..
MP3 players it could be useful, but only if you'll be allowed to use it to download songs and purchase music using it, or said MP3 player has a competent web browser and interface to make it a decent handheld internet device [ie the iPhone]
PSP/DS I could MAYBE see the logic in provided it actually is quick and reliable enough to facilitate online gaming [I'm someone who, from experience, Does not like WiFi networks, let alone the thought of my -primary internet connection- being wireless :/]
As for lowering the cost, seems like thats inevitable, this is going to be the next Wi-fi after all, the next "must have" thing..
Or it could be like Bluetooth, really nice, very capable, and in many computers, but nowone really uses it very much...
I'm sticking with my 2400 baud modem
I will be okay with all these devices including WiMax capabilities in them, as long as you can physically shut the radio off. It disturbs me that this is starting to take off at the same time that DARPA is devloping a way to tap and track individual wireless signals. It does no good to give up privacy for the sake of convenience and security.
You're funny.
Maybe, but I read 1984. I also remeber phrases like "don't put all your eggs in one basket" and
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin
and
"Privacy no longer can mean anonymity," says Donald Kerr, principal deputy director of national intelligence. "Instead, it should mean that government and businesses properly safeguard people's private communications and financial information."
and
"Those who would give up privacy for security are likely to end up with neither."
I agree
I also dont like the thought of these wimax signals possibly masquerading as "wifi" or something and people getting charged up the shitter
Either through hidden "recurring usage fees" or something else wherein you'll suddenly get a huge bill from the WiMax people..
I dont know how the billing/tracking will work however, my guess is its similar to a wi-fi hotspot...
And personally, I do not like wireless, Why? tis a bit harder to tap into someones wires than it is to tap into the air... [Thus my household primary network is good old fashioned Ethernet, with a seperate wi-fi router tapped into it]
Also reliability, yeh, Reliability isnt there for my wireless thats for damn sure..the few times i tried to use it it dropped out repeatedly when i was about 5 feet from the wireless access point...
You're funny.
Good job Kali: I think those are very valid. As a early twenties college student, I know that (the majority of) my peers are not at all interested in their privacy or even understand the consequences of their disinterest. Plus, how the hell am I gonna use my laptop on a plane if they don't allow the radio to be turned OFF.
That lightning image looks 90s-cheesy-as-hell...like Crossfire or something
WiMax is has an encription network so no can just hop on your network like wifi. It speed blew wifi out of the water. Their is no contract, no activation fees. I live in baltimore and would never use wifi. You can purchase home modem that networks with other computers at your home through an ethernet or wirless router. This service 25/mo-35/mo after 6mos. On go 30/mo-45 after 6mos. Their speed is faster than cable -9 megs/second on downloads. No usage fees- unlimited usage. You pay be credit card only. You can get 2 services 50/month limited time only. WiMax is not available through wifi. You will not see WiMax signal if you are subscribing to WiMax and have Wimax Modem.
WiMax is becoming popular in Atlanta now. The company "Clear" is bombarding us with commercials about it. I just bought a Toshiba laptop in December and it's not WiMax ready, so now I'd have to rent equipment to make my computer compatible or buy it. I'm torn because I think it's great technology, but it's about to really cost me.