The latest Steve Jobs keynote today saw the release of Apple’s first Macs with Intel processors. As usual, they’re pretty tasty — as a PowerBook user, that MacBook Pro is looking pretty sweet indeed.
But.
I find the lack of support for mobile data disappointing. It would have been great to see an option for built-in EV-DO, UMTS/HSDPA or even EDGE modems. Other manufacturers are already building in cellular radios to their laptops, but they’re typically locked to a single provider (T-Mobile even plans to sell HSDPA-enabled laptops in Germany). Building a modular unit with plug-and-play support for various cellular modems — allowing customers to choose a provider and not be locked in to a particular one because of the type of laptop they bought. Such an option would befit Apple’s user experience focus, as well as the leading-edge MacBook Pro.
That was really just a pipe dream, though, and to see it happen would have been quite a surprise. But perhaps even more disappointing is the laptop’s lack of a PC Card slot, Apple instead choosing to implement the next-generation ExpressCard/34. Yes, ExpressCard is newer and better than PC Card — so new, in fact, that I’m having a hard time finding any actual ExpressCard peripherals yet, never mind cellular data cards. So by choosing it instead of or in addition to PC Card, Apple’s relegated users to some strange sort of bleeding-edge obsolesence. If you want high-speed data, you’re stuck with tethering to a phone.
There’s really a gap here that Apple could fill and become a much-needed leader for cellular data. iSync shows just how easy syncing a computer and a mobile phone can be, while Apple’s been a strong supporter of Bluetooth, both in terms of including it in hardware, but also in actually making it easy to use. High-speed mobile data is still waiting for something to push it over the edge, and Apple could be the company to do it. But not this time around.
The lack of a PC Card slot was my major complaint about my 12″ PowerBook, because I’d love to get an EV-DO or HSDPA modem. Figuring out that the MacBook Pro won’t do anything to improve that situation has soured me on it. For now, anyway…
[...] Carlo Longino: I find the lack of support for mobile data disappointing. It would have been great to see an option for built-in EV-DO, UMTS/HSDPA or even EDGE modems. [...]
Want a wireless modem? Use the bluetooth capability in the laptop to connect to your mobile phone. Voila…and you’re not locked to a wireless carrier.
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Blackbelt: I realize that. However, Bluetooth 1.0 or 1.2 delivers a maximum of 1Mbps, while Bluetooth 2.0 EDR (assuming you’ve got a phone that supports it, which you probably don’t) goes up to 3Mbps. The slower flavor isn’t fast enough for HSDPA, and, if you’re lucky, is too slow for EV-DO as well. The newer, faster flavor could be maxed out by HSDPA as well. And, in any case, an integrated modem is a simpler and more user-friendly solution.
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Kudos to Steve Jobs and Co for pulling off the transition to Intel chips faster than most expected. At today’s MacWorld show, Jobs unveiled an iMac and a new laptop, dubbed the MacBook Pro (will iBooks soon be renamed MacBook amateur?) running w…
Carlo: if you honestly expect HSDPA to go that fast, then I’m afraid you’ve let yourself drink too much vendor Kool-Aid. Plus there is nothing wrong with using a USB cable - you can even trickle charge your mobile from it…
Kool-Aid aside, you’re missing the point. I’m perfectly aware of the merits of tethering via Bluetooth or USB. And you’re right, there’s nothing wrong with it. But an integrated solution is what I’m after; a datacard at the very least. Both are eminently more preferable in my book.
And speaking of Bluetooth, you’re right — this firmware updater for 10.4.4 is horrific.
Whether one agrees with your position or not, I think you have identified a good opportunity for Apple. If they made provider-agnostic EVDO and HSDPA ExpressCards a bundled option with MacBooks they would sell a ton of them and they would go a long way toward advancing ubiquitous mobile internet.
[...] While ExpressCard appears to clearly be the way to go forward, it adds pressure on existing PC Card manufacturers to migrate their products and services toward the new standard. If you’re an EV-DO, UMTS/HSDPA, EDGE wireless Internet access PowerBook user, you’ll likely want to hold-off on getting the MacBook Pro until ExpressCard versions of the PC Card modems you use today become available on the market. [...]
Hi all… I was seraching very hard for the best answer between Macbook Pro VS Powerbook G4. I wonder is there anoyone out there could assist me? I really have pretty much of doubts upon the new ‘breed’ of Mac and can they really be more stable tahn ever? (eg. system crash like Windows) Have been a dual user but really have no idea should I be getting a PBG4 of MBP instead? Should all Mac be switched to intel based and what really makes the different between these 2? Or rather I’m sure there are a better way to enahnce the speed for Mac than using intel? I would like to hear some professional views from all thank you. –Andy (xstudio@singnet.com.sg)