Sony's US VAIO P ripped open in search of SIM slot

So, does the VAIO P have a SIM card slot? That's the question that the X-ACTO knife wielding crew over at Pocketables sought to answer in their most recent tear down, and the answer is, well... both yes and no (but mainly no). For those unaware, the US version of Sony's flashiest netbook reserves its WWAN for Verizon Wireless, but many have wondered whether a SIM card slot was conspicuously included. Even after ripping out a plastic blockade, it was found that the so-called SIM slot was actually not made for SIM cards, thus crushing any hopes of retroactively hooking one's machine up with AT&T / T-Mobile 3G on-the-go. Hit up the read link for some pretty brutal images of the detective work.

[AVG @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:32AM]

So... why didn't they just ask a Sony rep...?

[Shinigami @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:35AM]

Why ask a rep if you can simply tear the toy apart? Its more fun this way

[Nouman @ Feb 3rd 2009 9:21AM]

Because that would make Verizon unhappy if people knew they could change services.

[insky @ Feb 3rd 2009 2:06PM]

Do you really think Sony would tell you if there was a 3G sim slot when they're Verizon exclusive?

[yopladas @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:37AM]

Cool, but is this like a Vaio P fetish? I mean, cool stuf, but I see the Vaio P featured in what feels like evey other article...


Whatever.

[JZ @ Feb 3rd 2009 9:16AM]

Replace the Sony with Apple and Vaio P with MacBook and it gets a lot more interesting and whole lot less annoying how often they appear on engadget.

That said, I don´t get it how it works. The US version has somewhere a module from Verizon for the WWAN otherwise? How different is the US version from the EU/Asian one then?

[OneLove @ Feb 3rd 2009 10:29AM]

Dude, this is a gadget site and Vaio P is the new hotness! That's why.

[Jesse S @ Feb 3rd 2009 12:57PM]

Maybe it is because aside from the price, the Vaio P is actually fairly interesting? High-res screen, trackpoint, somewhat large keyboard (for a "netbook,"), 3G, etc.

[Jash Sayani @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:48AM]

What's next: 3G on the P ?

[Flashpoint @ Feb 3rd 2009 9:21AM]

The way I see it, all netbooks should start offering built in 3G or CDMA.

Perhaps AT&T/ Tmo or Verizon should sell a netbook for free as long as you sign up for $100 a month data service.

[Jash Sayani @ Feb 3rd 2009 9:41AM]

@Flashpoint

Absolutely. Netbooks are meant for mobile internet surfing and 3G/EDGE is the main part of it. In fact, Orange UK was giving out Free EeePCs with a 2 year Mobile-internet (3G) contract!

[Barbaric @ Feb 3rd 2009 2:28PM]

@Flashpoint
Radio shack had the Acer Aspire One for $99 with 2 year data contract $60 a month. look it up on engadget. hares one link. http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/08/contract-laden-3g-acer-aspire-one-hitting-us-at-just-99/

[Peter @ Feb 3rd 2009 9:09AM]

I suspect there is a place for a SIM socket to be soldered to the PCB, but it's just not installed. That would explain the SIM-shaped ground pattern on the PCB.

[CJ @ Feb 3rd 2009 9:19AM]

So let me get this right...if I buy a P in the US I would not be able to use the WWAN feature with another 3G carrier in my country, Chile? If that is the case, no P for me!

[rkelcz @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:55AM]

its not a sim card slot its a memory stick slot duh!

[Mp3 @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:56AM]

That was dumb.

[Jesse Dula @ Feb 3rd 2009 12:25PM]

So are you.

[Sarig @ Feb 3rd 2009 9:16AM]

The crew at Pocketables? It's just Jenn and her gadget-mania :)

[Jacksplat @ Feb 3rd 2009 9:20AM]

Next up: I'll investigate if my black & decker toaster actually has a secret bagel slot.

[shannon @ Feb 3rd 2009 9:24AM]

SIM socket here (among many other places):
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=548

Now, anyone willing to open their Vaio P and take a picture of the solder pads? :)

[Willen @ Feb 3rd 2009 8:00PM]

Remember this article? Someone already did.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/08/sony-vaio-p-ripped-apart/

[elBravo @ Feb 3rd 2009 9:50AM]

It might just be me, but this thing seems to cross the line where a computer (call it a netbook, MID, UMPC, gadget behaving computerishly) can be too small. Once the awesomeness of a computer the size of your palm wears off, you'll be left with a computer the size of your palm. At this point I would say the iPhone or G1 would be much more usable.

[sockatume @ Feb 3rd 2009 10:45AM]

I dunno, that blog's reporting 85-100wpm typing rates on that thing. Try doing that with an iPhone and it will catch fire.

[Evan @ Feb 3rd 2009 10:48AM]

What happened to sony and sprint? most of their notebooks had sprint evdo cards I hope all there stuff doesnt goto the devil in the future.

[NERV @ Feb 3rd 2009 10:49AM]

Why lock it in to Verizon? I think I just might finally jailbreak my 3g iPhone so I can tether.......fuking companies

[Calvin Yang @ Feb 4th 2009 2:19AM]

According to conics.net, you can order the wwan/gps card which has a sim slot in the battery compartment. Should be unlockable with software.