X61 tablet built-in Verizon Sierra CDMA 2000 is Rev A

[SFWrtr]

Confirmed!

Getting a built-in WWAN card was a big thing for me, convenience-wise, so I called Lenovo to place my order. The sales rep confirmed that Lenovo is now sells a faster Revision A Verizon CDMA card! I recorded the rep's name and that of his supervisor after telling him specifically that it would be a return if the card isn't REV A. He was happy to give me the names.

So I bought my X61T. Here is the bill of lading:

• - Multi-touch/Multi-view WVA XGA.
  - L7500
  - 512MB RAM (I am buying my own RAM and this saved $55 over the 1GB stick.)
  - Vista Ultimate 32-bit (No 64 bit options are available, dang it!)
  - 100GB 7200 RPM HDD
  - Verizon Sierra CDMA 2000
  - X6 Ultrabase
  - Super multiburner
  - Intel 4965AGN
  - Serial ATA HDD adapter
  - Bluetooth
  - 4 yr onsite / protection
  - Adjustable Notebook Stand
  - 90W AC/DC adapter
  - Web Cam
  - Tablet essentials (sleeve+pen+tether)
  - OnNote preload

No turbo memory as it takes the same slot as the CDMA.

Note that when you call on the phone, you still get the web price and discounts. You can also order items that are available but not shown on the web, like the tablet essentials and OneNote preload that are available for the X60 but not shown for the X61.

Included where:

• 8 Cell battery - 4 cell not an option!
  Fingerprint reader - yes, it is there

[Trekk69]

Sounds like a great system. Good call with the 512mb ram and the personally update later!

Personally, I won't be using a laptop much over the summer, so I will be waiting a couple of months for the back to school purchase. Hopefully by than all the upgrades/configurations will be possible

[proaudioguy]

Congrats!

My main vote against integrated WWAN is your access is married to THAT computer. With a PCMCIA card you use it with any computer or even share it with a router.

Confirmed!

Getting a built-in WWAN card was a big thing for me, convenience-wise, so I called Lenovo to place my order. The sales rep confirmed that Lenovo is now sells a faster Revision A Verizon CDMA card! I recorded the rep's name and that of his supervisor after telling him specifically that it would be a return if the card isn't REV A. He was happy to give me the names.

So I bought my X61T. Here is the bill of lading:

• - Multi-touch/Multi-view WVA XGA.
  - L7500
  - 512MB RAM (I am buying my own RAM and this saved $55 over the 1GB stick.)
  - Vista Ultimate 32-bit (No 64 bit options are available, dang it!)
  - 100GB 7200 RPM HDD
  - Verizon Sierra CDMA 2000
  - X6 Ultrabase
  - Super multiburner
  - Intel 4965AGN
  - Serial ATA HDD adapter
  - Bluetooth
  - 4 yr onsite / protection
  - Adjustable Notebook Stand
  - 90W AC/DC adapter
  - Web Cam
  - Tablet essentials (sleeve+pen+tether)
  - OnNote preload

No turbo memory as it takes the same slot as the CDMA.

Note that when you call on the phone, you still get the web price and discounts. You can also order items that are available but not shown on the web, like the tablet essentials and OneNote preload that are available for the X60 but not shown for the X61.

Included where:

• 8 Cell battery - 4 cell not an option!
  Fingerprint reader - yes, it is there

[SFWrtr]

It may not be sharable, but it is always there when you need it. And, since my Canon uses CF cards, it leaves the PC card slot open. If it wasn't Rev A, I would have gone with a PC card instead. I guess I am a sucker for convenience... any time, any where, I want to be connect, I will be. <maniacal laughing>

[bigwormie]

i too prefer an integrated card. I have a rev a card sticking out of my t series and I look forward to getting my x with integrated. If the next to never occassion ever comes up that I need it, I will go on verizons site and change the service back to the external card. But that will never happen.

[temovr]

Just got the internal WWAN card too but wanted to use Sprint as I don't have Verizon service (extra monthly) and my company provides a 20% Sprinit discount. Is there any way to get other than Verizon service? Thanks.

[SFWrtr]

...Sprinit.... Is there any way to get other than Verizon service?.

Call Lenovo. Ask if the card is locked to the Verizon network. If it isn't locked, then you need to find if Sprint provides software that supports the Sierra CDMA 2000 card. (Probably.) If so, install and try.

After you've any of this research, be sure to post your results. Good luck!

[rkanazawa]

Follow this link to see the FRu cards that are installed in the new x61 series.
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mo ... 2x3550.pdf

On Page 142 and if you reference with the Sierra Website it shows they specs.

[SFWrtr]

Well, I tried to hunt down specifically what Verizon Sierra Wireless CDMA 2000 card is in the X61 tablet, via Google and Lenovo search. To be a revision A Sierra Wireless card, the card would have to have the MC5725 pci-e card(*). The part included in my system is

42V9332 SBB WAN:VERIZONSIERRACDMA2000
This is a new part number(**), even if you look in the just published ThinkPad® X60, X60s, X61, and X61s
Hardware Maintenance Manual (or the corresponding manual for the R61/T61 for that matter). For the X60/X61 machines, look for part number 42T0929. This is a MC5725 and it is Rev. A! If you have 41W1177 or 42T0863, the hardware manual is mute on the chip. Since we know that the X60 shipped originally with a Rev. 0 card and the Sierra Wireless site specifically cites that Lenovo is using the Rev. 0 MC5720 card, and there are two links (***) to drivers that state they are for the MC5720 for X60 and X60s, I think we can assume these two FRUs are probably Rev. 0.

Okay, I am officially a tech-head. I just hope I get a Rev A so I don't have to send my precious X61 tablet back because the sales rep got it wrong...

------------------------------

(*) This is the link to the Sierra Wireless web site with technical information on the cards. The MC5725 is the Rev. A card.
http://www.sierrawireless.com/product/e ... rison.aspx

Specifically the MC5725:
http://www.sierrawireless.com/product/mc5725.aspx

Note that Lenovo is cited on this page Sierra Wireless page and the link is to a Z series. (Update: The link went dead this evening! Click the link and look at your address line to see it was to a Z series.)
http://www.sierrawireless.com/product/mc5720.aspx

(**) A configuration list for a T61 configured 5/31/2007 and published in a forum contains this same part number.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=122617

(***) Here are the Lenovo pages that cite the MC5720 Rev. 0 card associated with the X60 and X60s, etc.:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-67248
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-61618

[proaudioguy]

i too prefer an integrated card. I have a rev a card sticking out of my t series and I look forward to getting my x with integrated. If the next to never occassion ever comes up that I need it, I will go on verizons site and change the service back to the external card. But that will never happen.

So the question at that point is how do you get the T back online? At least with your PCMCIA card you can swap back and forth.

[pudding]

I'm curious, in your list you mentioned "OneNote preloaded". I'm not seeing that option on the website, or is Onenote2007 part of the default package?

[SFWrtr]

I'm curious, in your list you mentioned "OneNote preloaded". I'm not seeing that option on the website, or is Onenote2007 part of the default package?

Not available. My rep thought he could get it, but when I got my config email and asked about it, I was informed that it was not available even though it is offered on the X60. Go figure. Not available, period. I was told if it shows up on the web site and build has not occurred, they can still add it.

[rkanazawa]

Just got my new x61s... launched the VZAccess Manager and checked the Sierra Wireless card that is installed. It is the MC5725, a RevA internal card. Unfortunately, the signal at my home is too poor to get good speed. I will have to wait until tomorrow to check it out.[/quote]

[SFWrtr]

Just got my new x61s... launched the VZAccess Manager and checked the Sierra Wireless card that is installed. It is the MC5725, a RevA internal card. Unfortunately, the signal at my home is too poor to get good speed. I will have to wait until tomorrow to check it out.

Oh, joy! Thank you very much for this confirmation. I'm sure the tablet will have the rev A also. Mine ships the 19th, my 4GBs arrives on the 20th, and hopefully by the 25th I'll have the system. Waiting...waiting...waiting...

[rkanazawa]

Yes, it is Rev A capable.
I have been using a Motorola Krzr as a tethered modem... and this built-in wireless leaves it dead in the water.
I have been stuck in the office for the past week so have not used it much. Normally I would be using it two to three times per week.
I have it in an X61s. Let me know how you like your X61 Tablet. Was debating between the tablet and the standard model.

[thormdac]

@all,
somewhat off topic and not the right forum,

but i have just extracted a card like the one you are talking about and would feel happy if one of you would like to own it.

sierra wireless mc5720
orig lenovo fru 41w1177 year: 082006 fcc id: n7n-mc5720

never used, as it doesnt work over here in europe.
greetz
p.s. extracted from see signature

[jgsx]

Yes, it is Rev A capable.
I have been using a Motorola Krzr as a tethered modem... and this built-in wireless leaves it dead in the water.
I have been stuck in the office for the past week so have not used it much. Normally I would be using it two to three times per week.
I have it in an X61s. Let me know how you like your X61 Tablet. Was debating between the tablet and the standard model.

How do you already have an x61s?

[rkanazawa]

I bought a pre-configured TopSeller model and was able to pick it up directly from the warehouse. I was able to pick it up June 5th without any hassle. It is a 7669-45U model. Right now I am sitting in the back of my car going down the free near San Jose at about 70mph writing this post. It is much faster and more reliable than the prior method I was using of a tethered Motorola phone. For my use this is perfect... it allows me to answer e-mails on the way to the office and respond to questions while out of the office.

[bigwormie]

i too prefer an integrated card. I have a rev a card sticking out of my t series and I look forward to getting my x with integrated. If the next to never occassion ever comes up that I need it, I will go on verizons site and change the service back to the external card. But that will never happen.

So the question at that point is how do you get the T back online? At least with your PCMCIA card you can swap back and forth.

Sorry I never answered your question. The answer is, I WONT! The "T" will be retired to the living room/kitchen and will solely run off of wifi. I can only use one laptop at a time so when I am out of the house and the x61t will serve its purpose quite nicely.

[proaudioguy]

Yes, it is Rev A capable.
I have been using a Motorola Krzr as a tethered modem... and this built-in wireless leaves it dead in the water.
I have been stuck in the office for the past week so have not used it much. Normally I would be using it two to three times per week.
I have it in an X61s. Let me know how you like your X61 Tablet. Was debating between the tablet and the standard model.

Were you paying for a data plan before or did you find a way around that? Sprint wants 40 bucks a month for only 20 megs total even if it's just tethered.

[rkanazawa]

Yes, I was paying for it... I think for Verizon it is $59.00 a month for unlimited access.
We deploy a few of these laptops for our managers. We look at it from a perspective if they can work at least one hour per month more using the connection it more than pays for the montly service.

[SFWrtr]

I now have my X61 tablet connected to Verizon. I opted for the $59.99 plan. Apparently, it doesn't matter if you have a voice account with Verizon or not, 2yrs=$59.99, 1yr=$79.99, end of options (including a $35 connect fee). That's 5GBs max a month (per the contract I just signed under). If you hit that, they disconnect you.

Though I haven't experienced Rev A speeds, yet, probably due to location, the card in the machine is a MC5725 and the VZ Access Manager confirms the connection is Rev A and National Broadband (and thus should give max speeds).

The connectivity is actually very reliable. I've done plenty for downloads and updates using it, not to discount pleasant (though not screaming fast) web surfing. I've had times where my house WiFi refuses to connect, so I just connect to Verizon.

The VZ Access Manager keeps track of all usage connections, and as a result, I don't think I'll hit the 5GB max unbeknownst.

All in all, WWAN makes a great tablet even greater. (Though I think I'd still like turbo memory to lower the disk hits and boost my battery life.)

[ptantra]

I now have my X61 tablet connected to Verizon. I opted for the $59.99 plan. Apparently, it doesn't matter if you have a voice account with Verizon or not, 2yrs=$59.99, 1yr=$79.99, end of options (including a $35 connect fee). That's 5GBs max a month (per the contract I just signed under). If you hit that, they disconnect you.

Did you see if there is still a $15/day option? I really don't plan on using WWAN all that much, so a per day option would be very economical for me.

[SFWrtr]

I specifically was not offered this option when I called the Lenovo-manned activation line, nor did I ask. However, reliable sources have indicated that Verizon does offer this plan. If you have not ordered your machine, I would call Verizon and ask them directly. If you have, call the Lenovo supplied number and ask directly about that plan. They may have info.

If you check the X60 tablet review on www.tabletpc2.com, you find this paragraph:

"Verizon also has a pay as you go plan for 15.00 per day. (you just have to twist their arms a bit to get it) While it is considerably more expensive to pay per use, for those who don't use it on a regular basis, this may make more sense than being locked into a monthly contract."

If you get more info, please post it for others like yourself.