[ajprice]

Incase you don't know, they are mobile phone network receivers, a lot of laptops (like HP, Sony and Dell, so its the big players) are building this stuff into their portables, any reason why a Powerbook should or shouldn't have them?

As far as I understand it, the connection isn't an open network, but is tied in to a phone carrier network. What do you think?

[redheadfred]

I think it'd be awesome if they started integrating it into powerbooks. no more big cards sticking out of the side. although, it would be a lot more useful in Europe where EDGE is actually catching on, and the whole 3G thing. America is just too slow...

[Stratus Fear]

Actually, EDGE is pretty common in America now. Cingular's network has it in most places, and a lot of areas in T-Mobile's network have it, too. I have trouble finding places in Atlanta that DON'T have EDGE on T-Mobile. 3G is where America is slow -- there still isn't much of it here yet.

[crazeazn]

evdo > edge

[urrl78]

EVDO is a lot of fun. Verizon just bought the price down from $80 to $60 per month. My contract will be up in December but I may just keep it. Unfortunately the PC5220 card does not work as well on my 17" Powerbook as it does on my Sony 10.6" screen T250,

http://homepage.mac.com/bhardy3/PhotoAlbum38.html

but it is so cool being able to get on the net in a car, parking lot, my work place, or anywhere else in the Ft Laud/Miami area without routers or base stations. Plus I can plug the card into my Powerbook and use it as a base station, letting other laptops connect wirelessly to the net from my 17".

http://homepage.mac.com/bhardy3/PhotoAlbum34.html

So yes, EVDO would be a deal breaker for me if only Apple could put it in their 12" (which has no PC slot) or come up with an even smaller laptop, and improve the screen quality.

[xargos]

Simple answer? Neither. Basically I don't think Apple should be looking into making a laptop that is only compatible with certain companies' services. To some people, using Apple equipment is about having a choice. Let them have the choice. Just keep using PC Cards.

[sadpandas]

I would say EVDO but only because Sprint uses EVDO and they are my carrier. I was just looking at the new SPRINT EVDO phone over at Engadget and it looks great, I just wish it didn't use Windows and wasn't $500.00.... EEEK!

[olePigeon]

I would say buy a PCMCIA card of whichever technology you need/want.

[tooki]

Repeat after me: "PC Card". (PCMCIA has not been the name for many, many years...)

Regardless, I agree. I don't think Apple should be choosing one technology or the other to offer. It could be nice to have an internal slot (the way AirPort works) that could accept a card for whatever technology one uses.

That said, I don't see the point of it until mobile data prices come down a whole lot. I can't afford to spend all sorts of money for wireless in addition to my DSL at home, in addition to cellphone costs. (I ditched my land line completely.)

tooki