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    How easy is it to add mobile broadband aftermarket?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by The Fire Snake, Mar 17, 2008.

  1. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

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    As the title says. I want to get a T61, but don't want the mobile broadband now as I have no use for it currently. But I might want it later. Can I easily plug a card into the express card/pc card slot to get this functionality? What are the pros and cons?
     
    The Fire Snake, Mar 17, 2008
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  2. jcovelli

    jcovelli Notebook Deity

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    there aren't any cons... usually usb, pcmcia, and express evdo cards perform better and get higher signal strength.

    check out a lot more over at http://www.evdoinfo.com
     
    jcovelli, Mar 17, 2008
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  3. AKAJohnDoe

    AKAJohnDoe Mime with Tourette's

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    The only "disadvantage" is that communications hardware that is not electrically attached to the motherboard (e.g.: USB; PCMCIA; PCI Express; ...) will not come active as soon upon a start up of the PC.
     
    AKAJohnDoe, Mar 17, 2008
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  4. ProfessorShred

    ProfessorShred Notebook Evangelist

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    I'd say the only "con" right now is the price of airtime. But I am sure the Network Providers will have more competitive pricing in the future.
     
    ProfessorShred, Mar 17, 2008
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  5. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    It's difficult to believe that signal are better on plugin cards. The T61p has an extensive antenna system that cards do not have.

    To answer your question though, if there is a way to do it, order the full antenna array without the card. Should you do that, adding mobile will be no problem at all. It's adding the antennas that is so painful.
     
    Renee, Mar 17, 2008
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  6. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

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    How do I do this? I ordered the Intel 4965 AGN Wifi card which I have read gives me another antenna. Would this also benefit me for the Mobile(cellphone) broadband? I am not an expert at this whole cellphone network thing but the integrated cellphone broadband would give me wireless connection to the cellphone correct? I have seen some people have a wired connection to their cellphone to use the cell phone network.
     
    The Fire Snake, Mar 18, 2008
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  7. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    Unfortunately it won't. One of the most arduous in the field mods is an after market addition of the antennas ( More information ion this is available in the threads by myself and also Rambler.) It's awful and in my thread one person who just did it posted photos. They aren't pretty. Part of what makes the job so awful is that you have to remove old antennas and replace them with new ones with really bad documentation.

    How do you do this?

    if you just ordered your system, call a good sales rep, tell you you want the FULL Antenna array. Learn where the arrays are in the hardware manual and tell them what you want. Chances are they are going to be confused. But I am guarateeing you that you will love yourself for an experience you've never had and will not have to have if you get those antennas installed at the factory.

    Installing them after-market is not an experience that anyone wants to have.
     
    Renee, Mar 18, 2008
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